There were NEARLY 157,960 new reports of child abuse and neglect in Los Angeles County in 2009. Without help, children suffer alone. The effects can last their entire lives, leaving them vulnerable to academic failure, school dropout, criminal behavior and early parenthood. El Nido believes that prevention and the earliest possible intervention can break the cycle of abuse, creating a brighter future for children and families. Each year children, youth and family members realize benefits such as reduced abuse/neglect (subsequent reports of abuse/neglect reported to DCSF in only 5% of our cases), relief from symptoms of trauma among children, and improving family functioning.
Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
Abused, neglected and at-risk children are referred by the Department of Children and Family Services to El Nido for comprehensive services. Some of these children are in foster care; others remain with their families under the supervision of child protective services workers. El Nido’s Master’s-level professionals partner with families to build upon their existing strengths, enhancing family functioning and treating underlying trauma.
Program outcomes included:
• 100% reported improvements in symptoms related to trauma, parent-child conflict or family dysfunction.
• 93% reported improvement in overall family functioning.
Wolff and Simms/Mann Family Center
Offered at Will Rogers Elementary School and Edison Language Academy in Santa Monica’s Pico Corridor, this school-based program provides an array of services in English and Spanish to children in crisis and their families. Professional clinicians and Master'-level interns provide individual, family and/or group counseling on campus or in the home, case management, crisis intervention, and parent education. Incoming kindergartners are assessed so that barriers to educational progress may be identified and addressed early.
Program outcomes included:
• 75% of children showed improvement in academic performance.
• 80% showed reduction in symptoms related to trauma, child-parent conflict or family dysfunction.
• 100% of parents/caregivers who attended parent education sessions reported improvement in overall family interactions.