Child/Youth Development Project (C/YDP)

Group of diverse teenagers sitting on steps and talking

The Child/Youth Development Project's (C/YDP) philosophy is to foster empowerment, growth, positive coping and pro-social behaviors that enable children, youth and their families to succeed at home, at school and in the community. As such, C/YDP recognizes and utilizes the individual strengths of each child, youth, family member, and community collaborator. YDP Clinicians provide the following services:

  • Identify, through collaboration, youth displaying risk taking behaviors that lead to negative outcomes
  • Assist identified youth to enhance positive coping and problem-solving skills
  • Build resilience through positive self-esteem and increased social support; strengthen family systems through parent outreach, family therapy
  • Support teachers and counselors in their dedicated efforts with vulnerable youth in the classroom through consultation, training and feedback with mental health professionals 

 

Who We Serve

At Will Rogers Elementary School, we provide services to those experiencing behavioral and emotional issues such as anxiety, disruptive behaviors, depression and trauma. At John Adams Middle School, Lincoln Middle School and Olympic Continuation High School we provide mental health services to youth who may be at risk of school dropout, gang involvement, peer isolation, trauma and communication issues with adults and authority figures. C/YDP focuses on the whole child and recognizes and utilizes the individual strengths of each child, family member and community collaborator.

C/YDP youth attend either Will Rogers Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, John Adams Middle School or Olympic Continuation High School. Participants at Virginia Avenue Park, Boys and Girls Club, or the Police Activities League, who are having difficulty at home, school or in the community are also eligible for services. 

Priority is given to children, youth and families who have been impacted by community violence, familial discord, poverty, substance abuse and trauma.

Program Goals

Using a strength-based perspective, the Child/Youth Development Project strives to:

  • Foster resiliency among its participants
  • Strengthen their belief in the future
  • Enhance life skills
  • Help them develop a clear and positive identity

Program Model

C/YDP offers two levels of intervention depending on the presenting risk factors.

Group therapy is provided to youth who are presenting with behaviors/emotions slightly/beyond developmental norm; some impairment in social, educational, familial and/or community functioning.

More intensive treatment services are provided to youth who have been identified as struggling with more ingrained patterns of behavior over an extended period of time; multi-level system involvement i.e. probation, DCFS; significant and multiple impairments in social, educational, familial and community functioning; and increased frequency and long lasting negative behaviors/emotions over time. Treatment generally focuses on family and community intervention through individual/family therapy, and case management.

Services include:

  • Individual and family therapy (must have Medi-Cal or no insurance)
  • Group therapy
  • Case management
  • Parent training and parenting groups
  • Teacher consultation
  • Community outreach

Crisis Intervention

In coordination with other partners, C/YDP provides community crisis intervention based on the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing model by addressing grief issues and giving support to those who have been severely impacted by tragic loss.

C/YDP Staff

The C/YDP staff have been selected for their ability to use creative, culturally sensitive therapy approaches. Staff are highly mobile and are committed to making services accessible to youth and their parents. Every effort is made to match bilingual staff with bilingual families.

Partners

C/YDP strives to adhere to best practice models of serving high-risk youth by partnering with community agencies to strengthen their relationship with the children/youth and their family. The C/YDP continues to collaborate with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Police Activities League, Boys and Girls Club, Virginia Avenue Park and others.

Fees and Funding Sources

The cost of services may be met through Medi-Cal. Funding is also available for families with no insurance.

Funding sources for the Providence Saint John's 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.

Contact Us

Call us for intake: 310-829-8921.

Support C/YDP

To give online:

  • Go to Saint John's Health Center Foundation
  • Choose an amount to give
  • From the middle of the page, click on drop-down menu for designation and choose CFDC - Mentor Program for High Risk Youth

To give by mail, send a check to:

Saint John's Child and Family Development Center
1339 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Attention: Donations

Please indicate on the notation line of your check: C/YDP Program
Please provide us with your contact information so we can send you a thank you note and charitable donation letter.