South Bay Community Services transforms communities to support the well-being and prosperity of children, youth, and families. South Bay Community Services (SBCS) is a community based nonprofit that provides a comprehensive range of services and programs for children, youth, and families in San Diego County. Our programs are for everyone at any time in their lives when they may need it the most. With our generous supporters, together, we are able to respond to the overwhelming needs of our community, touching the lives of more than 50,000 annually.
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Services Offered
* Childhood Services and Program
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.
ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA (ACT) - One of seven in the nation, this five-year initiative supports 50 disadvantaged children and their families in San Ysidro who have been impacted by childhood and community level trauma. This trauma-informed model helps develop sustainable life skills needed to deal with the demands of everyday life and develop skills that lead to healthier lifestyle choices. The model reduces high-risk behaviors due to childhood trauma and strengthens protective and resiliency factors.
FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES - Our treatment and case management services assist survivors of domestic violence in recovering from the trauma experienced in an abusive relationship. The individual and group counseling services we offer provide a place of healing. Although victims can never erase what has happened to them, time and support help survivors put the pieces of their life back together, repair their self-esteem and essentially moved past the abuse.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM (DVRT) - This 24 hour/7 days a week emergency response unit is the first and only in San Diego's South County region. Working closely with local law enforcement and stationed at all South Bay Police Departments, DVRT specialists accompany police on all domestic violence calls. DVRT specialists provide crisis intervention to victims and their children and assist children and adult victims plan their immediate and long-term safety. DVRT also responds to calls from the SBCS Hotline number 1-800-640-2933.
CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH - Children's Mental Health Services provides individual therapy, family therapy, and case management to children and teens. We also provide support to Chula Vista Elementary School District and Sweetwater Union High School District schools with mental health services.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM - Provide therapeutic group counseling for perpetrators of domestic violence.
Fees and Payment
Early Childhood Services are billed to insurance companies. In the state of Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health covers costs that are not paid by insurance companies including deductibles and co-payments. The Department of Public Health also covers the cost of services in the event that a child is without insurance. In the state of Connecticut, the Office of Early Childhood is the lead agency.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Payment: Sliding Scale
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Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.