Optimist Youth Homes and Family Svcs (OYHFS)

The agency provides mental health and case management services to children in the community through a contract with The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. We engage in several evidence-based practices. Our clinics are located in Los Angeles, Palmdale and Woodland Hills. In addition, we provide FSP and wraparound services as well as school based mental health services in many schools throughout the County.The agency served 926 clients during the fiscal period.

Foster Care: The agency has a foster-adopt program. Social workers recruit, train and certify resource parents and provide follow up services to those parents as well as to the children placed in their care. Referrals are from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and occasionally from the L.A. County Department of Probation. Optimist also assists the County in the assessment process for their County operated resource families. The agency has an adoption program, enabling children already in its resource homes to be placed in permanent homes through the adoptions process. We served 69 children and youth in resource families.

Our Short-term Residential Therapeutic Program STRTP program has two locations: In FY 22-23 we had 2 community homes with 6 beds each (Mission Hills and Van Nuys). Clients are referred by Los Angeles County Departments of Probation or Children and Family Services. The residents receive intensive care, supervision and therapeutic services from an interdisciplinary care team. We follow the core practice model, services are trauma informed, and evidence-based practices are utilized.The agency served 27 youth in the STRTP program. A Temporary Shelter Care Facility TSCF licensed for 16 girls is also located on the Woodland Hills campus. The agency served 172 youth in the TSCF program.