Child Well Being
Childhood is the foundation upon which life is built. We believe, the healthier that foundation, the greater the possibility of success and happiness in adulthood. SBCS is dedicated to ensuring that our community’s children are provided the services they need to give them the best chance at leading a healthy and happy life.
MI ESCUELITA THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL
The only one of its kind in San Diego County, preschool provides specialized services and quality early education for children ages three to five years old. The preschool is free, full-day and bilingual with a student ration of 1 to 9 and four full-time therapist on staff.
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Free for all children ages 0 to five (or right before they enter kindergarten), healthy development services help families confirm important milestones as their children grow, develop and prepare to start school. Services include parenting classes, behavioral services, and developmental services. Funded by First 5 San Diego.
IN-HOME VISITATION SERVICES
For expectant parents and parents of newborns who are in the military, immigrant/refugees, teens or low-income families, First 5 First Steps strengthens child and family relationships by providing support, education, and guidance through home visits. First 5 First Steps is funded by First 5 San Diego.
For families who are either involved with Child Welfare Services (CWS) or are at-risk of CWS involvement due to child abuse and/or neglect, Community Services for Families offers home visitation, in-home parenting and support, and parenting classes. Community Services for Families helps to create stable and nurturing home environments, ensure children at risk of removal remain safely in their homes and ensure timely reunification of children who have been placed out of the home.
CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Our children’s mental health programs offer a comprehensive array of outpatient therapeutic services for both children and adolescents. In addition, we also provide mental health prevention and early intervention services for children in Chula Vista Elementary School District, National School District, San Ysidro School District and South Bay Union School District.
PARENTING CLASSES
Group parenting classes are available for parents with children ages 0 to 18. Group classes offer parents the ability to learn about their child’s development, new parenting techniques and skills, and to receive support from other parents. Educators utilize the STEP Curriculum to teach classes in both English & Spanish. Classes are specific to the ages of children & focus on: 0-5, 6-12, and 13-18. Classes are free and meet Welfare & Institutions Code requirements. Graduates receive a certificate of completion & STEP book. This service is subcontracted to Jewish Family Service & information on classes and client participation can be obtained by contacting Graciela Cabral at (619) 585-5133 or CSFSouthIntakeCoord@csbcs.org.
CURRICULUM – SAFECARE
Many of our in-home visitation services utilize the evidence-based SAFECARE curriculum for children under age 12 and their families who are at risk or have been referred to Child Welfare Services. Trained staff work with families in their home environment by providing four to six months of intensive parenting training focusing on parent-child interaction, improving their home safety and child health issues. SafeCare is funded by the United Way of San Diego and the County of San Diego. SBCS and Social Advocates for Youth San Diego provide county-wide training and on-going coaching in the SafeCare curriculum to contracted Community Services for Families agency staff.
