TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.) Narrative
1.KnowledgeofandexperienceworkingwithinSchoolSite(s),CommunitySchoolStrategy, andSchoolPartnerships a. RichmondHigh:demographics,characteristics,needs,strengths,priorities. FamiliasUnidasproposestocontinuetoprovideviolencepreventionandintervention/mentalhealthservicesforstudentsatRichmondHigh.Wehavedeepknowledgeoftheschool’sstudentpopulation,fromourongoingworkthroughourYouthMattersprogramasoneoftheSanPabloTeamforYouthfundedagenciesforFY2017-2024.Ourservicesfocusonsupportingyouthwhoarehavingsocial-emotionaldifficulties,orexhibitingmentalhealthsymptoms(oftenduetoanundiagnoseddisorder),insomecasesrelatedtobeingvictimsorwitnessesofviolence.Mostoralloftheyouthweexpecttoserveinthenextfundingcyclewillbelivinginornearpoverty(thecasefor63%ofRichmondHighstudents)andLatino(89%ofstudents)orAfrican-American(5%,thenextlargestracial/ethnicgroupattheschool).SomewillbeEnglishLearners(46%ofallstudents,including26%long-termEnglishLearners,agroupatespeciallyhighriskfordifficultiesinschoolandadultlife),ornon-nativeEnglishspeakerswhohavebeenreclassifiedasfluentinEnglish(another36%).Manywillbeorhavebeenchronicallyabsent(thecasefor37%ofRichmondHighstudentslastyear),experiencingacademicproblems,andathighriskfordroppingoutandotherundesirableoutcomes.SomeoftheyouthweseeatRichmondHighhaveimmigratedtotheU.S.orhaveimmigrantparents,predominantlyfromLatinAmerica.TheschoolhostsaspecialInternationals’AcademyforstudentsnewtotheU.S.inthepastsixmonths.Someyouthhavecometothiscountryunaccompanied,sentfromCentralAmericabytheirparentstoescapegangviolence,andarelivingwithrelativesorotherfamiliestheyhadnotknownorlivedwithpreviously. TheyhavetypicallyhadtraumaticexperiencesintheircountryoforiginandontheirwaytotheU.S.,inadditiontobeingseparatedfromtheirlovedones,andsufferfrompost-traumaticstressdisorder,anxiety, depression,bereavement,and/orothersequelaeofviolence.Theymayhavelittleornoattachmenttotheirhostfamily, maystruggletoacculturatetotheirnewhome,school,andcommunityenvironments,andwithissuesoftrustandinabilitytocommunicateduetolanguage,cultural,andemotionalbarriers.Someoftheyouthservedwiththisfundingwillhavenohealthinsuranceorbeunderinsured,andthereforelackaccesstotheaffordableandculturally-responsivebehavioralhealthcareservicesandothersupportsprovidedthroughYouthMatters.Overthepastfouryears,wehaveseenamarkedincreaseinthenumberofyoungpeopleatRichmondHighsufferingfromdepression,suicidalideation,andanxiety, frombeingisolatedfromtheirpeersandschool,andotherstressorsrelatedtotheCovid-19pandemic.Theparentsofstudentsweseetypicallyhavejobsintheservicesector, suchasinrestaurantsandhomecleaning,andweredisproportionatelyimpactedbythenegativeconsequencesofthepandemic,fromlosingjobs,stableincomes,foodsecurity,andhousing,toillnessanddeath.Manyoftheyouthweseeinourschool-basedservicesarewrestlingwithacute,crisis-levelstressduetothemultitudeofdifficultchallengestheyaredealingwith,orspecificsituationsintheirpersonallife.Formany, theirmostacuteneedisforbriefintervention,tohelpstabilizethemandgetthemthroughcrisissituations,orspecificstrugglestheyarehavinginadaptingtotheschoolandcommunity. Wehaveincreasinglyincorporatedabriefinterventionmodelforyouthwhohaveexperiencedviolenceandtrauma,usingtrauma-informedapproaches.Oncetheseyoutharestabilizedviathisapproach,theymaybereadyforfurtherinterventions(ongoing 1 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)counseling,familycounseling,casemanagement,linkagetoadditionalservices)thatalsoincorporatetrauma-informedpractices.Someparents/caregiverswillbestrugglingtomanagetheirchildren’sbehavior.Foreign-bornparents,inparticular, mayfindthattheir“traditional”approachesfordiscipliningchildrenconflictwiththiscountry’sphilosophiesandlaws.Parent-childconflictscancontributetosubstanceabuseandincreasetheriskofchildabuseanddomesticviolence.Someofourinterventionmodalities(familycounseling,casemanagement)canhelpfamiliesunderstand,address,overcome,andpreventtheseconflictsfromcontinuing,strengthenfamilies,andcreatesaferhomeenvironmentsthataremoreconducivetoyoungpeople’shealthydevelopment,successinschool,andpreparationforadulthood.Someyouthandfamilieswillneedcasemanagementservicestoaccessneededhelp,suchaswithbasicneeds,navigatingissuesatschoolincludingtheIEPprocess,domesticviolenceorlegalassistance,andothersocialandhealthservices.Werecognizethatvictimsofviolencearemorelikelythannon-victimstobecomeperpetratorsofviolenceandrepeatedvictims.Ourplantoworkwithvictimsinthecontextoftherapyfocusesonusingthewindowofopportunitywehavewiththem,tobothpreventthemfromretaliating(becomingperpetrators)andkeepthemsafefromfurtherviolence.Measuresforthispurposeinclude:counselingtheyoungpersonaboutthecycleofviolenceandretaliationanditspersonalrisksandconsequences;identifyingandeliminatingrisksoffurtherviolentbehavior;restorative/supportcircleswithstudentsandschoolstafftoprocessanyviolentincidents(suchasfightsorlossesoffriendsorclassmates)orthreatsofviolencethatmayoccur;developingapartnershipplanwitheachyouthandfamily;connectingtheyouthtopositive,asset-buildingalternativestoactivitiesandinteractionswithdelinquentpeersthatcanexposethemtofurtherviolence;usingmentalhealthcounselingasapreventivestrategy, andinrarecases,helpingayouthchangeschoolsand/orthefamilymove,andassistingwithapplicationsforVictimofCrimecompensationtomakethispossible.Tostopthecycleofviolence,wealsoneedtoaddressthesource,whichistheperpetrators.ThismayrequirefollowingmandatedreportinglawsandcollaboratingwithChildProtectiveServices. b.Knowledgeofandexperiencewithimplementingviolenceprevention,intervention,and/ormentalhealthservicesinpublicschools. FamiliasUnidashasbeenprovidingmentalhealthandviolencepreventionandinterventionservicesinpublicschoolsinSanPabloandRichmondformorethantwodecades.Sincetheinceptionofour“YouthMatters''programin2010,wehaveprovidedcomprehensivementalhealth,crisisintervention,andviolencepreventionservicestoyouthatmanyK-12schoolsintheWestContraCostaUnifiedSchoolDistrict.Currently, ourYouthMattersprogramoperatesatRichmond,Kennedy, andDeAnzaHighSchools;HelmsandLaVonyaDejeanMiddleSchools,andNystrom,Highland,andLincolnElementarySchools.Alloftheseschoolshaverequestedourhelpinaddressingstudents’social-emotionalproblems(oftenviolence-related)andfamilyproblemsthatinterferewithstudents’abilitytoengageandsucceedinschool.TheserequestshavecomeinthecontextofboththerecentinfluxofimmigrantyouthaswellastheCOVID19pandemic–whichhasincreasedthenumberofstudentswhoareexperiencingattendance,behavioral,andacademicproblems.Theyhavealsorequestedourhelpwiththeschooldistrict’sinitiativearoundtheuseofrestorativepracticesasalternativestosuspensionforstudents.Since2017,wehavebeenaserviceprovideratRichmondHighaspartoftheSanPabloTeamforYouthProgram,inits“ViolencePrevention&Intervention''servicearea.Thereweprovideclinicalservicestoaddressyouthfailingschoolandexperiencingsignificantbarriersduetothe 2 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)challengesofacculturationintotheschoolenvironment,theircommunities,andtheoverallculture. c.Experienceindeliveringandmanagingprogramswithanapproachthatsupportsand/orimplementsviolencepreventionandinterventionandmentalhealthservices:OurongoingYouthMattersprogramatRichmondHighandotherschoolsintheWestContraCostaUnifiedSchoolDistrictaddressesseveralpressingneedsrelatedtoviolenceandyouthmentalhealth.MostyouthweserveareLatino,althoughwealsoserveyouthfromotherracial/ethnicgroups.Latinosarebothdisproportionatelyaffectedbyviolenceandrelatedmentalhealthproblemsandsubstantiallyunderrepresentedasconsumersofmentalhealthservices.OnesurveyfoundthatwhileLatinoscomprise20%oftheBayArea’spopulation,theycompriseonly4%ofthosewhoreportedseeingaprofessionalforamentalhealthissue.Thisdisparityhasbeenattributedto:1)lackofinsurance,includingMediCal(oftenduetolackofeligibilitybecauseofbeingundocumented);2)culturalandlanguagebarrierstomentalhealthservices;3)fearofrepercussionsrelatedtoimmigrationstatus,abarrierthathasbeenseverelyexacerbatedbythepoliticalclimateinrecentyears,and4)stigmaassociatedwithseekingmentalhealthservices.Anothersurveyshowedthat46%ofLatinosintheBayAreawhofelttheyneededhelpforamental/emotionaloralcohol/drugabuserelatedissuedidnotseekhelp.InarecentCaliforniaHealthyKidsSurvey,23%ofhighschoolstudentsinWCCUSDreportedhavingexperiencedharassmentorbullyingatschoolinthepastyear,12%hadseenagunorknifeoncampus,35%reportedtheyhadfeltsosadorhopelessalmosteverydayfortwoweeksormorethattheystoppeddoingsomeusualactivities,suggestingdepressionorriskfordepression,and13%ofhighschoolstudentsreportedtheyhadconsideredsuicideinthepastyear. InourexperienceworkingwithyouthandtheirfamiliesfromneighborhoodsinSanPabloandRichmondplaguedbypoverty, ambientviolence,traumaticloss,immigration-relatedandotherstressors,therateofdepressionorothermentalhealthproblems,suchaspost-traumaticstress,islikelyhigher.Moreover,parentsoftenlacktheskillsetorresourcestohelptheirchildrencopeandredirecttheirchildrenfromriskybehaviorwhentheythemselvesmaysufferfromdisorders,lackunderstandingofculturalnormsintheU.S.,andfacelanguagebarriers,multiplesocialstressors,and/orimmigrationissues.OurYouthMattersprogramatRichmondHighisdesignedtoaddressstudents’mentalhealthorviolencepreventionorinterventionneeds,andtosupporttheirfamiliesasneededandappropriate.Theprogramwillsupporttheseyoungpeopletoreducethestresstheyareunderandtheriskofseverementalillness,avoidanyfurtherinvolvementinviolence,feelsafeandsupportedintheschoolsetting,improvetheirfunctioninginschoolandintheirfamilies,andbeabletonavigatetheireducationandteenyearssafelyandsuccessfully.Ouragency’stherapistassignedtoschoolisintegratedintotheschool’ssystemofcareforstudentsidentifiedasneedingextracurricularsupport.Sheattendstheregularmeetingsoftheschool’sCareTeam.TheCareTeamisamultidisciplinarygroupthatreceivesreferralsofstudentswhoarestrugglingindifferentrealms(attendance,academic,social-emotional,behavioral),andtriagesthemforappropriatesupport.Thesereferralsmaycomefromteachers,counselors,otherschoolstaff,parents/caregivers,orstudentsthemselves.Ourtherapistisbilingual(English/Spanish)andcanprovideallservicesforstudentsandtheirfamiliesineitherlanguage.ForstudentsreferredtoYouthMattersforsupport,ourtherapistwillassessreferredstudentsforsignsofsocial-emotionalandmentalhealthdifficulties.Thetherapistwillconductintakeinterviewsandassessmentsofeachyouthwhichmayutilizevariousevidence-basedscreeningtools,including:theChild&AdolescentNeeds 3 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)andStrengthsassessment,LifeEventsChecklist,ChildPTSDReactionIndex,ChildBehaviorChecklist,andChildren’sDepressionScale.Thetherapistmayengagetheyouth’sparentsorguardiansinassessmentsandtreatmentplanning.Shewilldevelopatreatmentplanforeachyouthbasedonassessmentfindings.Dependingontheyouth’sidentifiedissuesorsymptoms,servicesweprovidemayincludethefollowing.● Crisisinterventiontohelpyouthgetthroughcrisissituations.● Individualtherapyusingabriefinterventionmodelandtrauma-informedapproachestoaddressspecificstrugglesyoutharehavinginadaptingtotheschoolandcommunity;guidanceonpeacefulconflictresolutionandpreventionofviolentbehavior;● Longer-termindividualandfamilycounseling.Counselingwillintentionallyconsidertheimpactoftraumaonayouth’sdevelopment,behavior, mood,cognitivefunctioning,beliefs,andculture.Forexample,ayouthdiagnosedwithOppositionalDefiantDisorderorADHDwithahistoryoftraumamayhaveindividualcounselingthatincorporatestraumaprocessing;familytherapyandpsychoeducationfortheyouth,his/herparents,andothersignificantpersonsincludingextendedfamily;culturalconsiderationregardingrituals,beliefs,andhealingpractices;andreferralstoaddressphysicalhealthissuesarisingoutoftrauma.Evidence-based,trauma-informedtreatmentmodalitiesourtherapistmayutilizeincludecognitivebehavioraltherapy, dialecticalbehavioraltherapy,MotivationalInterviewing,familysystemstherapy, strategicfamilytherapy,solutions-focusedtherapy, EyeMovementDesensitizationandReprocessing(forPTSD),arttherapy, andmindfulness.● Casemanagementandservicelinkages,tofurtherexplorethestressorsandneedsofyouthandtheirfamiliesandassistthemtoaccessneededhelp,suchaswithnavigatingissuesatschoolincludingtheIEPprocess,andreferralsforbasicneedsorlegalassistance,andothersocialandhealthservices.(Pleasesee“Partnershipstohelpmeetstudent,family, andschoolneeds,”below.)● Supportcircleswithstudentsandschoolstafftoprocessanyviolentincidents(suchaslossesoffriendsorclassmates,orschoolshootingslocallyorelsewhere)orthreatsofviolencethatmayoccur.● Conflictresolutionandrestorativejusticecirclesforstudentstohelprepairharmstudentsmayhavecausedtotheirpeers,reintegratethembackintotheschoolcommunity, andassistthemtofeelsafeinschool.Moreover, toaugmentthecapacityoftheschoolcommunitytoidentifyandrespondeffectivelytostudents’social,emotional,andbehavioralproblemsandtraumaandhelppreventfurthertraumatizationofyouth,thetherapistwillalso:(1)trainandcoachteachersandschoolstafftobeabletoidentify,support,andreferyouthwhomayhavehadtraumaticorviolentexperiencesorhavementalhealthproblems;(2)supportteachersintheclassroom,observingstudents’behavior,andprovideguidanceoneffectivestrategiesforworkingwithstudentswhohavebehavioralormentalhealthchallenges;(3)coachandguideteachersonself-carestrategies,toreducestressandburnoutandpromotetheirwellness;and(4)collaboratewithschoolleadershiptopublicizetheavailabilityofmentalhealthservicesattheschool,andguideparents/caregiversonhowtorefertheirchildrenforservices.Table1presentsthenumberofyouthandfamiliesatRichmondHighweanticipatebeingabletoserveeachyearthroughourvariousprogramcomponents. 4 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.) Table1.Intervention #tobeservedyearlyCrisisintervention 10students1:1MentalHealthIndividualSessions 15studentsFamilyCounselingSessions 6familiesCaseManagement 20students/familiesClinical&othersupportserviceslinkages 15students/familiesSupportcircles TBDConflictresolution/restorativecircles TBD Table2presentsouroutcometargetsforthisprogramatRichmondHigh.
Table2.Outcometargets Metrics1. 70%ofyouthwithproblemsinschool(e.g.,attendance,behavioral(includingviolentbehaviors)academic)willimprovetheirperformanceinidentifiedareas.
Satisfactionsurveysofyouth,parents,teachers
2. 80%ofparticipatingyouthwillhavereducedseverityofmentalhealthsymptoms.
Mentalhealthscreeningtools3. 50%ofparticipatingyouthwillreportthatYouthMattershasconnectedthemtosupportiveservices.
Satisfactionsurveysofyouth
4. 75%ofyouthwillreportoverallsatisfactionwithourservices,asmeasuredbyself-reportofimprovedfamilydynamics,mentalhealth,violencereduction,andschoolperformance.
Satisfactionsurveysofyouth
2.AgencyandStaffExperience
a.Experienceworkingwithstudentsandfamiliesin publicschools;resourcesandactivitiesthatqualifyouragencyforthisgrant. FamiliasUnidashasbeenprovidingmentalhealth,violenceprevention,andyouthdevelopmentservicesforstudentsandfamiliesinpublicschoolsinSanPabloandotherContraCostaCountycommunitiesformanyyears.WearealsocurrentlyservingastheleadagencyfortheBeaconCommunitySchoolInitiativeatKennedyHighSchoolinRichmond,undercontractwithWestContraCostaUnifiedSchoolDistrict.Wehaveparticulardeepcompetenceandsensitivityforworkingwiththecounty’sLatinoandSpanish-speakingcommunity,manyofthemrecentimmigrants,especiallywithfamilieslivingnearorbelowthepovertyline.Wehaveplayedaleadershiproleinsupporting,advocatingfor, buildingcapacityin,andempoweringthisgrowingcommunity. In2011,wereceivedthe“LeadingChangeAward”fromtheLatinoCommunityFoundation,forentities“whohavemadeandarecontinuingtomakealastingimpactinthelivesofLatinochildrenandfamilies.”Ouragency’sclinicalstaffaretrainedinvarioustherapeuticmodalitiesandtrauma-informedapproaches,andexperiencedinprovidingmentalhealthandviolenceinterventionandpreventionservicestodisadvantagedyouth.Theyarefullybilingual(English/Spanish)andbicultural,indispensableforworkingwithschoolcommunitiessuchas 5 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)RichmondHigh’s,wherethevastmajorityofstudentsandfamiliesareLatinoSpanishspeakers.Ourclinicianscomefromthecommunitiesweserveandhavesimilarbackgroundsandexperiencesasourclientele.However, wehavetheexperienceandcompetenciesneededtoserveyouthfromallgroups,fromourongoingworkacrosscommunitiesandcultures.Weemployasystemofcareapproach,collaboratingandcoordinatingwithschoolpersonnelandotherserviceproviderstowrapneededservicesandsupportsaroundyoungpeopleandtheirfamiliesasappropriatetotheirneedsandstrengths.AtRichmondHigh,thisoccursthroughourparticipationontheschool’sCareTeam.Wehavealsobeentrainingschoolleaders,counselors,andteacherstousetrauma-informedapproachestoaddressstudents’behavioralandotherproblemsatschool.Thesemeasureshavestrengthenedourabilitytoprovideeffectiveinterventionsforvulnerableyouth,andtopreventfutureviolence.FamiliasUnidasemphasizesastrength-based,assets-basedapproachtoworkingwithyoungpeople.Weuseourmentalhealthprogramsasvehiclestonurtureprotectivefactorsinchildrenandyouthsuchaspositiverelationshipswithcaringadultsandpeers;connectionstoone’speers,school,andcommunity;self-esteemandculturalpride;prosocialskills,theabilitytoresistnegativepeerpressure,andleadershipcapacity.Ratherthanseeingyouthasthe“recipients”ofservices,wepromoteyouth’smotivationtoworktowardovercomingtheirownchallengesandcontributingpositivelytothecommunity.FamiliasUnidas’coreintrinsicvalueistoworkwitheachyouthinaholisticwaywhileengagingtheirvalues.Weincorporateevidence-basedpracticessuchascognitivebehavioraltherapy, familysystemsandstrategicfamilytherapy, solutionsfocusedtherapy, andEyeMovementDesensitizationandReprocessing(EMDR).Ourclinicalstaffhavebeenextensivelytrainedinprovidingtrauma-informedtreatmentandsupportservices.Thisexpertiseiscrucialinourabilitytohelpyouthwhohaveexperiencedviolencetocopeandhealandtopreventexposuretofurtherviolenceandtrauma.Wehaveincorporatedtheuseofevidence-basedtraumascreeninginstrumentstohelpguideservicesforyoungpeopleandtheirfamilies.Weusetrauma-informedinterventionpracticestohelpyouthwhohavementalhealthproblemsorareatriskofthemandarehavingahardtimeatschoolswiththeirpeersorteachers,topreventfighting,defiance,andotherconflictualbehaviorleadingtosuspensions.Weuseamulti-systemicfamilyapproach,encompassingthefamily/caregiver,schoolenvironment,andothersupportsintheyoungperson’slifetopromotebetterrelationshipsandotherdevelopmentalassets,anapproachwhichhasbeenshowntoimproveoverallfunctioning,decreaseinvolvementinriskbehaviors,andimproveschool/vocationalperformance.Inourmentalhealthservices,weroutinelyengageayoungperson’skeyfamilymembersinassessment,caseplanning,counseling,casemanagement,andothercriticalcomponentsoftheserviceplan.Wehelpfamiliesmeetbasicneedsandnavigateservicesystemsandtoenlistextendedfamiliesandothernaturalsupportssuchasfriends,neighbors,andclergytosupportthem. b.Workingrelationshipwiththeschoolsite. FamiliasUnidasiscollaboratingonanongoingbasiswithRichmondHighforourYouthMattersmentalhealthandviolencepreventionprogram.Schoolfacultymembers,counselors,theschool’sCommunitySchoolCoordinator,andstudentsthemselveshelpustoidentifyandengageyouthwhocanbenefitfromourcounselingandcasemanagementservicesandprovidespaceforourclinicianstoworkwithclients.Weparticipateontheschool’sCareTeam,throughwhichweworkwitheducatorsandotherserviceproviderstodevelopserviceplansforstudentsreferredandcoordinateservicesforstudentsreferredtotheTeamforextracurricularsupport.Wehavealsoprovided 6 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)consultationstoeducateRichmondHighteachers,counselors,andschoolleadersontrauma,itssignsinyouth,andtrauma-informedserviceapproaches.Inaddition,wehaveeducatedschoolfamiliesontraumainyoungpeopleandhowparentscanhelppreventit.Ourstrongworkingpartnershipwiththeschoolcommunitywillenableustocontinueserviceswithoutpausesotheyreachyouthinneedofthem. c.Partnershipstohelpmeetstudent,family, andschoolneeds. OuragencyisanactivepartnerinandserviceproviderfortheSanPabloTeamforYouth.WealsoparticipateontheCareTeamsatRichmondHigh,KennedyHigh,HelmsMiddleSchool,contributingtomulti-agencyeffortstostrengthen,coordinate,andstreamlineservicesfortheschoolcommunities.Morebroadly, wehavelongstandingpartnershipswithmanypublicagencies,CBOs,andfaithorganizationsthathelpusengageyoungpeopleandfamiliesinneedofservicesandconnectthemtoneededsupports.Examplesofourreferralpartnersare:● theSchoolHealthCenteratRichmondHigh,andtheCountyHealthCentersinSanPabloandRichmond(medicalandreproductivehealthcare)● ContraCostaCountyChildren’sMentalHealthDepartment(psychiatriccareforyouthwithseverementalillness)● CatholicCharities(basicneedsassistanceforfamiliesandlegalassistancerelatedtoimmigrationstatus)● CommunityViolenceSolutions(crisisservicesforyouthwhohavebeenvictimsofsexualassaultandtheirfamilies)● RYSE(positiveyouthenrichmentactivities)● BayAreaPeacekeepers(gangpreventionprogramming)● FredFinchYouthCenter(residentialtreatmentforyouth,housingfortheirfamilies)● BayAreaLegalAid,InternationalInstitute,CentroLegaldelaRaza,andBayAreaSanctuary(legalassistanceInadditiontothefundingandothersupportwereceivethroughtheSanPabloTeamforYouthProgram,werelyonfundingfromtheContraCostaCountyMentalHealthdivisionaswellasChevrontobeabletoassignourtherapisttoRichmondHighSchoolfull-timethroughouttheweekandschoolyear,inordertoeffectivelymeetstudent,family,andschoolneeds.
3.AgencyApproach,Management,andFiscalCapacity
a.Internalcapacity. FamiliasUnidashasdemonstratedthatwehavetheinternalcapacitytoimplement,manage,monitor, andsupporttheproposedprogram,throughourlongstanding,ongoingexistingprogramsatRichmondHighandotherWCCUSDschoolsandourcollaborationwiththeschools,thedistrict,andtheCityofSanPablo.Ourmanagementanddirectservicestaffhaveextensiveexperiencecontractingfor,implementingandsupporting,andmonitoringourYouthMattersprogram.Likeallofourstaff,ourtherapistassignedtoRichmondHighSchool,EvelynAguilar, AMFT,isfullybilingual(EnglishandSpanish)andbicultural.ShehasaMaster’sdegreeinCounselingPsychologyandhasworkedforouragencysince2020,providingschool-basedmentalhealthservicesformiddleandhighschoolstudentsandclinic-basedservicesforadultsandfamilies.Ourclinicaldirector, CrisStahl,LMFT,hasservedinthisroleforouragencyfor15years.Duringthattimeshehasprovidedprogramoversightforourschool-andclinic-basedprograms 7 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)forourcoreclientele,theLatinocommunityofWestContraCostaCounty. Shehires,trains,andprovidesclinicalsupervision(individualandgroup)forclinicalstaffworkingintheseprograms.Shemaintainsqualityassuranceandutilizationreviewfortheseprograms.Shesupervisesourinternshipprogram,whichincludesattendinginternshipfairs,andprovidingtrainingtoandsupervisingnewtrainees.Shealsoprovidesdirectservices,includingpsychosocialassessmentsofadultsandchildren,crisisintervention,andadvocacyasneeded.SheearnedherlicenseasaMarriage&FamilyTherapistin2001,hasaMaster’sinPsychology, andhasworkedasacasemanager, clinicalsocialworker, mentalhealthcounselor, familytherapist,andclinicaldirectorsince1988.Weprovideallstaffongoingtraininginculturalcompetencyandtrauma-informedcare,andtheirrelevanceforworkingspecificallywithLatinos,AfricanAmericans,andothergroups.Wefurtheraddresstrauma-informedcareandculturalcompetencyindiscussionsaspartofweeklyindividualandgroupsupervisionmeetings.Staffrecentlytookpartinweb-basedtrainingonculturalcompetency,suchasrecentlyin“LaCulturalCuraTransformationalHealing,”aprogramfromtheNationalCompadresNetworktostrengthenproviders’skillsforworkingwithLatinocommunities. b.Systemforworkingwithsubcontractors. Wegenerallydonotworkwithsubcontractorstoprovidedirectmentalhealthandviolencepreventionservicesforyoungpeopleandtheirfamilies,andwedonotplantodosoaspartoftheSanPabloTeamforYouthProgram.OurClinicalDirector, therapistsworkinginourschool-basedprograms,andourExecutiveDirectorcollaboratetosetgoalsandmeasurableobjectivesforourprogram.Indoingso,theytakeintoconsiderationtheneedsaspecificprogramwilladdressandourcapacityintermsofthenumberofclientsweareabletoreach,outcomeswehaveachievedinthepastwithsimilarpopulationsinsimilarprograms,andtheimportanceofestablishingambitiousyetrealisticobjectives.PleaseseeTables1andTables2earlier, whichdetailthenumberofyouthandfamilymembersweanticipatedservingeachyearinandourtargetedoutcomesforourYouthMattersprogramatRichmondHigh.Ouragencyhasmanyyearsofexperiencewithprogramevaluationandwithevaluatingmentalhealthprogramminginparticular.Wehaveawell-structuredprocessfordatacollection,programevaluation,reportingtocontractingagenciesandgrantors,andforcontinuousprogramimprovement.WehavedevelopedinternaldatabasesutilizingACCESSandFileMakerPro,whichallowsustocapturedata.Eachindividualcaseisreviewedbasedonanindividualizedplanthatrequiresreviewasneededandatleasteachsixmonths.Individualcasesandprogram-wideresultsareaddressedinclinicalsupervisionsessions,whicharealsovenuesforproblemsolvingandplanningprogrammodifications.WealsoworkinpartnershipwithContraCostaCountyBehavioralHealthServicestoconductbiannualsatisfactionsurveysofyouthandparents,tomeasureclientsatisfactionanddesiredresultsincludingthoselistedinouroutcometargets,above.Allofthesedataareanalyzedandreportedbacktoouragency’smanagementteamtoprovideinformationonoveralleffectivenessofprograms,andtoguideourprogramimprovementprocess.ForYouthMattersinparticular, wemonitorandassessourservicesonayouth-by-youthbasis,basedonyouthreachingtheirindividualtreatmentgoals.Weuseassessmenttools,individualizedtreatmentplans,screeningtools(pre/post–tests),andongoingcommunicationwithparents,teachers,andschooladministratorsregardingtheprogressandperformanceofeachindividualyouth.InOctober-December2023,aswereportedtotheCityofSanPablo,ourclinicianassignedtoRichmondHighprovidedatotalof47mentalhealthcounselingsessionsto 8 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)sixstudentsattheschoolduringtheOctober-Decemberreportingperiod.Twoofthestudentshadexperiencedasignificantloss,andthreeoftheyouthwhowerereferredforserviceshadsuicidalideation.Allofthestudentswhoworkedwithourclinicianduringthattimeframemadeprogresswithincreasedabilitytoexpressfeelingsappropriately,learncopingskills,increasefamilialsupport,andreducesuicidalideation,asevidencedbytheclinician’sassessmentsandstudentself-reports.Morebroadly,amongyouthservedinYouthMattersprogramatalloftheprogram’sschoolsitesduringthe2021-22schoolyear:● 88%improvedtheirperformanceindomains(e.g.,attendance,behavioral,academic)inwhichtheywereexperiencingdifficulties.● 88%experiencedreductionsintheseverityoftheirmentalhealthsymptoms.● 50%reportedthattheprogramconnectedthemtosupportiveservices.● 75%reportedoverallsatisfactionwithourservices,asmeasuredbyself-reportofimprovedfamilydynamics,mentalhealth,violencereduction,andschoolperformance.Ouragencyhasextensiveexperienceworkingwithfundersandtechnicalassistanceproviders(includinginourparticipationintheSanPabloTFYProgram)tosupportusinmonitoringandstrengtheningourprograms.WewelcometakingpartincollaboratingwiththeCityandtakingpartintechnicalassistanceworkshopstoguideourdatagathering,programmonitoring,andcontinuousprogramimprovementprocessesfortheproposedviolencepreventionandintervention/mentalhealthservicesforstudentsatRichmondHigh. c.Accountingsystemandinternalcontrols. OurExecutiveDirector, LorenaHuerta, managesthe agency’sfinancialresources,accounting,organization-widebudgets,contractcompliance,safeguardingassetsthroughmaintenanceofpropercontrols.Shedevelopsprogramandagencybudgets,andbudgetsforcontractbidsandgrantproposalsincollaborationwithprogramleadsandourclinicaldirector,andhandles fiscalreportingtoour funders. Shehasperformedthesedutiessince2005(firstasAssociateDirector,andsince2013asE.D.),withassistancefromLouisBrionesofBrionesInternationalLLC,ourfiscalofficersince1982. Mr.Briones developedtheagency’sfiscalsystems,policies,andprocedures;handlesour accounting;doescostallocationsinaccordancewithagency-approvedbudgets;reconcilesourQuickBooks datawithour bankaccounteachmonth;andcompiles,analyzes,andreportsaccountingdataformanagementreviewinaccordancewithGAAP.OurE.D.reviewsourbalancesheetandprofitandlossstatementseachmonth.OurBoardofDirectors’monthlymeetingsincludeastandingagendaitemfortheBoard(includingtheTreasurer) toreviewourfinancialstatementsandengageindiscussionaccordingly.Weusean accrualsystemforagencyaccounting,basedonGAAP.Allemployeesturninbiweeklytimesheetswhichareapprovedbytheirdirectsupervisor, followedbyourE.D.WecontractpayrollservicestoPaychex.Staffarepaidbiweekly(everyotherFriday).Forourinventorysystem,wepostcapitalequipmentonourbooks,inaccordancewithGAAP,anddepreciateitovertime,basedonourannualaudit.Forcostallocationplanandmethodology, weallocatedirectexpensesdirectlytoindividualprograms,withapproximately10%ofeachcontractorgrantandouroverallbudgetallocatedtooverhead,administrative,andotherindirectexpenses,suchasbankchargesandaudits.Weusealedgersystemforreceivables,payables,expenses,disbursements,deposits,pettycash,andQuickBooksforagencybookkeeping.Eachyear, weengageGrant&Smithtoperformanindependentfinancialauditoftheagency,consistentlywithnofindings. 9 TeamForYouthProposalFamiliasUnidas(DesarrolloFamiliarInc.)Wehave internalcontrols topreventirregularitiesandensuresoundfinancialpractices.Forinstance,anarrayofpeoplehandlemoneywecollect.Thefrontdeskreceptionistdocumentsallcashandchecksanddatestampscorrespondenceregardingpayables/receivables.Anadministrativeassistantdepositsallincomingchecksandcash.Ourofficemanagerhandlestheagency’sbookkeeping,enteringdataintoQuickBooks.Anychecksformorethan$2,500requireasignaturebyanauthorizedBoardmember. Ms.Huertaapprovesalltransactions,anddoesbackupreviewsofpayroll,allbankstatements,anddepositedchecks.FamiliasUnidashasbeenprovidingmentalhealthservicesforyoungpeopleandadultsundercontractwiththeContraCostaCountyHealthDepartment’sMentalHealthdivisionformorethanthreedecades.Wecurrentlyadminister$1,123,492incountycontracts.Wehavebeenawardedmanygrantsfromotherlocalpublicagenciesandphilanthropicorganizations.Weareacurrentgrantee(since2017)oftheCityofSanPablo’sYouth,School&CommunityPartnershipsDivision,throughthissameTFYGrantProgram,whichweusetosupportourservicesatRichmondHigh.Thatgrantleveragesourcountyfundingforyouthmentalhealthservices,aswellasfundingfromtheRichmondFundforChildren&Youth.OurotherfundersincludeWestContraCostaUnifiedSchoolDistrict,KaiserPermanente,andChevron,andtheContraCostaFamilyJusticeCenter.FamiliasUnidashasanunblemishedrecordofresponsiveness,responsibility,meetingcontractedservicenumbersandobjectives,andadherencetofiscalstandards,timelyreporting,andauditingrequirementsinallcontractualrelationships.Independentauditsofouragency,whichwecommissionyearly, haveconsistentlycomplimentedourfinancialmanagement,meetingofcontractobligations,andaccountingpractices,andhavefoundnoirregularitiesinourinternalfiscalcontrolsorotheraccountingpracticesorcompliancewithlaws,regulations,contracts,orgrants. d.ComplyingwithSanPabloLocalEconomicOpportunityPolicy. FamiliasUnidasiscommittedtocomplyingwiththecity’sLocalEconomicOpportunityPolicy, asfollows.ShouldweneedtohirestafftofulfillourcontractundertheTeamforYouthProgram,wewillcontacttheSanPabloEconomicDevelopmentCorporationatleast10businessdayspriortohiring.WewilldescribetotheEDCthenumberofstaffneededforavailablepositions,theirduties,andrequiredqualifications,andwillfairlyconsiderforemployment(viaqualificationsscreening,interviewing,andcheckingreferences)anylocalresidentsreferredbytheEDCwithinthreebusinessdays.Shouldweneedtosubcontractwithindividualsorentitiestofulfillourcontract,wewillcontacttheEDCatleasttwoweekspriortoawardinganysubcontract.WewillprovidetheEDCwithdetailsregardingthesubcontractingopportunity, andwillconsiderqualifiedlocalbusinessesthroughafairandcompetitivebiddingprocess. 10