Youth and Family Services (YFS) is a program in Children’s Mental Health providing a range of outpatient mental health and substance use services primarily to children, youth and families with Medi-Cal coverage. The YFS team is based at the Kerner campus in San Rafael and provides mental health services to the safety net population of Marin County which is 200% of federal poverty level ($38,000 for a family of three). Our guiding philosophy is that children and youth with emotional disturbances should have access to an integrated and comprehensive array of services that address their emotional, social and educational needs in a coordinated and therapeutic manner. Mental health services, including family and groups are provided to children and youth at our Kerner offices, school sites or in the community as appropriate. Psychiatric emergency mental health services are available at the local Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) adjacent to Marin General Hospital.
Services available in English and Spanish include:
- case management,
- individual counseling,
- wraparound services,
- substance use assessment and referral
- family therapy,
- parenting classes and coaching,
- medication services.
Currently, BHRS clinicians and Family Partners (a parent who has had a child in the mental health system) work with children and families at four different school sites in San Rafael and Novato as well as out of our Kerner offices. The Family Partner helps the parent navigate the different systems and environments, giving the parent’s perspective a voice, and thus supporting communication and shared understanding about their child. The child or youth’s family and peers are important support systems that are actively engaged so that going forward the child and family will be able to access and utilize this support.
Additionally, approximately 4- 6 masters and Ph.D. level interns from accredited graduate programs provide Family Therapy, Group Therapy and limited individual sessions under the supervision of licensed YFS clinicians.