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A youth's mental health is important.
We provide services that will address mental health needs throughout a youth’s life, including prevention and early intervention for kids and families, and intensive, outpatient mental health services, trauma informed care and case management for youth ages 12-25 who are experiencing homelessness or running away from home. We also work with children and their families to improve adult-child relationships both at school and in the home.
ECBHC Contact
1870 Cordell Court
Suite 101
El Cajon, CA 92020
Monday-Friday
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Evenings by appointment
East County Behavioral Health Clinic
The East County Behavioral Health Clinic provides trauma informed, outpatient mental health services, and case management to youth (4-21 years old) and their families who are low-income or uninsured, full scope Medi-Cal beneficiaries, or eligible for services through the Mental Health Service Act. As a Full Service Partnership program, we provide comprehensive, culturally responsive services to assist youth and families in achieving their goals. These behavioral health services are part of SchoolLink, a partnership between school districts and the County of San Diego.
View/Download PDF | Fillable Referral Form
We provide services at our clinic, over the phone, in a youth’s school or home, or in a community setting.
Prevention and Early Intervention
Our East County Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) team works with children and their families to improve adult-child relationships both at school and in the home. Last year, PEI provided services to 765 children in preschool through third grade. The team also provided services to 1,219 participants at events. All services offered are free!
PEI now provides services to children and families at Avondale, Kempton, Bancroft, La Presa, Rancho, Highlands, Sweetwater Springs, La Mesa Dale, and Lemon Avenue elementary schools within the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District.
The program’s goals are to prevent behavioral problems and serious mental illness in elementary school-aged children and to support families who are struggling with these concerns.
East County PEI uses the Incredible Years evidence-based model to improve the lives of children and families in the community.
PEI Contact
Our East County Prevention and Early Intervention team works with children and their families to improve adult-child relationships both at school and in the home.
3845 Spring Drive
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Crisis Counseling Program
The SDYS Crisis Counseling Program specifically offers services to San Diego youth (ages 12-24)and their families that have been impacted by COVID-19.
Crisis Counselors empower youth and their families by connecting them with resources that provide financial support, housing, employment opportunities, mental health treatment, tutoring, and other basic needs. Crisis Counselors also provide emotional support and coping techniques to help people find their way during these difficult times. Swipe through to learn about ways to cope with stress during COVID-19.
Family Resource Center Contact
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Evenings by appointment
Victoria Abigania
Program Manager
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center provides a holistic approach to mental health services and case management for youth enrolled at Grossmont Union High School District sites and their families. Our purpose is to increase student achievement in the areas of academics, behavior, and attendance through integration of school, home and family support services.
We provide services on campus, over the phone, virtually, or in a community setting.
Sunny Days Program
Sunny Days offers a holistic approach to building resilience and promoting emotional wellness among youth ages, 13 to 25, who have experienced homelessness, engagement with child welfare and/or justice systems and are disconnected from school or employment. We offer trauma informed individual and group counseling services for young people, as well as psychiatry services.
Sunny Days equips youth who have experienced homelessness and other forms of institutionalized trauma with knowledge and skills that support healthy mental health, healing and thriving. This program also raises awareness and mobilizes action to address social inequities that impact youth mental health such as transphobia, racism and homophobia through targeted outreach campaigns. The program is open to youth already receiving services from San Diego Youth Services.
Sunny Days Contact
For inquiries about the Sunny Days program, please reach out to:
Anesha Sanders, ASW
Program Manager
STARS Program
Our STARS (Surviving Together, Achieving and Reaching for Success) program empowers survivors, ages 12-24, to leave sexual exploitation and trafficking by providing emotional support to develop their inner strengths, improve their self-esteem and identify their dreams. We promote healing through relationships and a sense of community through our client-centered, trauma-informed services.
Last year, STARS helped 159 survivors of human trafficking and provided community training throughout San Diego County to youth, parents, educators and service providers in the San Diego Unified School District, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego District Attorney’s Office and other partner organizations working with youth.
Supportive Services
STARS Contact
A program empowering survivors of human trafficking, ages 12-24
Alicia Nelson
STARS
Email Alicia