Programs & Services - Prevention Plus School-Based

CHAC provides direct counseling services for children and youth on 24 local school campuses to address emotional and social health needs. Teachers, school administrators, and parents refer children to services.

The primary goal of the Prevention Plus school–based counseling program is to protect students from high–risk behaviors, while promoting positive attitudes and behaviors.

The program is designed to:

1. Help youth to live healthy, productive and positive lives
   
2. Improve interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills
   
3. Help youth to develop self–awareness, build self–esteem, and learn to express their feelings and needs
   
4. Help and guide them in the development of organizational and study skills
   
5. Help them develop coping skills needed for difficult life situations.
   

Just for Kids – Living Skills Program

Just for Kids is a "living skills" program for 2nd and 3rd grade children that teach healthy ways of coping with family and environmental pressures including age–appropriate substance abuse education. The curriculum teaches facts about substance abuse, encourages healthy self–esteem and lifestyle choices and takes place during the lunch hour with parental request and permission.

For more information on how to enroll your child, please contact program director, Elizabeth S. "Betty" Mackey, MA, MTF. 

Second Step – Anger management

Second Step is designed to instill empathy through teaching conflict resolution and anger management skills. CHAC provides this program upon request. 

Conflict resolution peer training

This program is designed to teach selected children meditation skills to help their peers resolve conflicts. 

Parent support and classes

CHAC holds a parenting classes and support groups geared towards parents of infants, preschoolers, toddlers, children, and adolescents. One of the methods that are used is the Seven–week Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). This course, as well as others, is offered on elementary and high school campuses, as well on–site at CHAC. Current course schedules in English and Spanish.

The Village Program

An intensive on–campus program offered at Castro and Landels Elementary Schools, and Crittenden Middle School. The program includes individual and group counseling, a drop–in parent resource center, parenting courses and counseling, a therapeutic time–out room, classroom intervention services, crisis/conflict resolution mediation, and a homework club. 

Teen Talk

Teen Talk is a program for students in our middle schools and high schools, aimed at helping adolescents make better choices regarding their health and safety. Teen Talk is a fun and interactive group that meets once a week for eight weeks on campus during lunch (students bring their lunches). Groups are separated by gender and grade level. Teen Talk provides a safe place for students to discuss issues that matter to them, such as diet and exercise, smoking, substance use, adolescent sexual behavior, and concerns, coping, stress, and depression. The program is facilitated by on-campus CHAC counselors and Christina Galloway, Ph.D.

Teen Talk Permission Form - English   •   Teen Talk Permission Form - Spanish
Teen Talk Transition Program Permission Form - English   •   Teen Talk Transition Program Permission Form - Spanish

Other Assessments & Services:

Crisis Counseling

Crisis counseling is available during and after school hours to provide immediate help on campus with crisis situations (e.g., severe trauma to a member of the school community, death of a child, teacher or parent, suicidal student or child abuse). When a crisis occurs, CHAC responds immediately by adding counselors to the school campus in need, or responding to a call for help by the police.

Bilingual/Bicultural Counseling, Outreach, and Support

Bicultural/bilingual services are provided for students from various ethnic/cultural communities.

Drug and Alcohol Assessment

CHAC provides on–site drug and alcohol assessments as requested by the school.

Suicidal Ideation Assessment

CHAC provides assessment of the level of severity and danger for suicidal risk for any client referred or requested by the school.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth (LGBTQ) Counseling and Outreach Services

This program’s aim is to be sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ youth seeking support, as well as a network for referral and integration into the wider social framework of our community. The following services are provided to this diverse community of local youth: individual, group, and family counseling, parent support and education, community liaison, consultation and referral.

Help with Special Requests

CHAC staff and interns are available per request for "special needs" such as: speaking about drugs and alcohol to a group, speaking at PTA meetings, serving on committees, providing staff trainings, and speaking at special school projects. To make a request for any of the above, please contact Araceli Brun, Public Relations Manager at 650–965–2020 x19.