Community

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

March 23, 2020

Dear Parents, Guardians, and concerned community members:

The purpose of this notice  is to share information is our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).  Our highest priority is the safety of the youth in our care and our staff.  We are also taking steps to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

First, our residential programs are open and are providing services to youth in our care.  To prevent the spread of the coronavirus and to implement the Governor’s and our County’s stay at home order we have closed the campus to all volunteers and visitors (read the full memorandum here).  We have set up a number of telehealth devices in each cottage to enable youth to have “virtual visits” with their families, guardians and/or social workers.

Our education staff is providing a school classroom experience every day and we are working with school districts to determine whether or not school credits can be provided for this daily work.

Second, all staff assigned who can telecommute are encouraged to do so.  We have a skeleton crew of support staff on campus every day, but to the extent possible it is only staff who need to be on-site to provide support services, e.g., food service, IT, reception, housekeeping, maintenance.

Third, all community programs continue to operate in both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, but primarily through telehealth means.  When necessary and urgent staff are providing in-person services.

Finally, we continue to monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html), the World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/), and VC Emergency (https://www.vcemergency.com) regarding COVID-19.  We will continue to seek guidance from these agencies and public health officials, and we will update you as new information becomes available. We are committed to making our campus a safe place for all. Should you have questions or concerns, please contact us at 805-366-4040.

Thank you for your understanding and support.  We will provide periodic updates on this website and through our Facebook page.

Steve Elson, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families

Resources

• Mental Health and Covid-19

Fear, Uncertainty, and Relational Care in the Face of COVID-19

Community

Youth often succeed when they are connected to their community in a meaningful way. Many of the youth we see often experience social isolation and alienation within their community which negatively impacts their mental health and sense of belonging.

Camino a Casa aims to (re)connect youth to their communities by actively involving them in communal activities while in treatment including, but not limited to:

• • Volunteer opportunities (Food Share, ranch – tending to abused animals)
  • Kayaking at local beaches
  • Activities at Mamba Sports Academy
  • Rock climbing
  • Sky-Zone
  • AA and Al-Anon panels offered on-site
  • Introduction to the culinary arts by outside volunteers

By the end of treatment, youth have had exposure to a wide range of activities they can do both with their family or more independently –  these activities may add meaning and greater social connection to their lives, which is a key ingredient to healing.