The Child and Family Development Center

(En Español)

Providing a comprehensive range of culturally sensitive and linguistically responsive mental health, outreach, developmental, and educational services in response to community needs since 1962. Available in English, Spanish, and in American Sign Language, services are offered for children, adolescents, and their families. Our multidisciplinary team includes clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, case managers, teachers  and educational, occupational and speech therapists. Services are provided within the Center, on school sites, in the home and in the greater community.

The Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center (CFDC) has a strong history of providing culturally sensitive and linguistically responsive comprehensive mental health, outreach, developmental, and educational services to the community. Services are child-centered and family focused geared to meet the needs of children, adolescents and also to address the issues and needs of family members and caregivers. These include brief family psychotherapy, therapy groups for children, teens and their parents, psychiatric evaluations and medication support, psychological testing, and psychoeducational evaluations.

The CFDC programs employ a multidisciplinary approach, matching clients and their families with a highly trained, case-specific team, which may include clinical social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, case managers, teachers and educational, occupational and speech therapists.

Child and Family Development Center

Child/Family Outpatient Mental Health Services

• Crisis Intervention
  Immediate appointments are available for children and their families experiencing life crises for a maximum of six visits.
  
  
• (Brief) Family Therapy
  Child and Family Development Center professionals are available to work with families to assist in developing the tools necessary for an improved life at home, school, work and in the community.
  
  
• Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention & Treatment
  Services provided include individual and family therapy, specialized group therapy, and in-home family services for abused children.
  
  
• Clinic for Learning and Attention Deficit Disorders
  Diagnosis, intervention and treatment are available for students with symptoms characteristic of an ADHD diagnosis. Also available are parent education and support, individual and group therapy, and case management and psychiatric services. Education therapy consultation and a Dual Diagnosis consultant are also available.
  
  
• Psychosocial/Psychotherapy Program for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
  Individual, group and family psychotherapy, socialization/rehabilitation groups a  nd psychiatric support are available to individuals with developmental disabilities.
  
  
• Youth Development Project
  School-based mental health services including group therapy, teacher consultation, crisis intervention and training are offered to at-risk youths at three Santa Monica schools. Outreach to parents and family therapy is also provided. In addition, outreach and mental health services are provided to Pico Youth & Family Center.
  
  
• Families And Schools Together Team (FAST)
  FAST is a school based mental health program that provides services to students attending schools on the Westside that are part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Services include individual, family and group therapy, as well as teacher consultations and crisis intervention on site at the individual schools by English and Spanish speaking social workers and psychologists. Students who need psychiatric treatment or pyschological testing are eligible for treatment at the CFDC.

• Partnership for Families (PFF)                                                                                  The Partnership for Families Program (PFF) is funded by First 5 LA and assists with the prevention of child abuse.  With collaborative help from community social service agencies, PFF disseminates support to high risk families to effectively resolve the challenges they encounter.

Mental Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People

CFDC provides a mental health program serving children, adults and families. Services include outpatient therapy, medication, crisis intervention, case management, psychological/psychiatric evaluation, probation certified domestic violence treatment, and community outreach. Specialized services for individuals with substance abuse and mental health diagnoses are also offered.

Birth to 5 Programs

• The Therapeutic Preschool
  The Therapeutic Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment for children who require early intervention due to neurological, behavioral, and/or psychological disturbances. Children enrolled are ages 2 1/2 through 5. The program is nationally recognized and serves as a model for other organizations.
  
  
• Early Childhood Assessment and Treatment Program
  Comprehensive assessment and treatment for infants and children ages birth to 5 years and their caregivers are provided when concerns arise as to whether a child’s behavior is typical or age-appropriate. Services include child-parent/caregiver therapy, family therapy, psycho- education and coordination with other professionals or agencies.
  
  
• Early Childhood Directions
  An infant, toddler and preschool program, providing child care services for families with children from 3 months to 6 years of age is available to the community. Saint John’s employees are given priority.

Other Services

• Community Outreach
  Consultation, education and prevention services, such as a speaker’s bureau, rap groups or critical incident debriefing are offered in response to identified community needs or crisis.
  
  
• Training and Research
  Training in psychology (American Psychological Association-Accredited) and graduate social work is provided on site. Ongoing research conducted in collaboration with local universities and program evaluation are essential components of all CFDC services.
  
  
• Parent Education
  Skills for successful parenting are taught in a variety of specialized groups. Creative problem solving, strategies for improving child-parent relationships, and approaches to child/adolescent behavior management are stressed.

Associated Fees and Funding Sources

The cost of services may be met through MediCal, Healthy Families and private payment. A sliding scale payment plan is available to qualified families.

Funding sources for the Child and Family Development Center include the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Children and Family Services, City of Santa Monica, and private donations.

Additional Information

(310) 829-8921 (Business Office)
(310) 829-8455 (Fax)