Program areas at CHAC
School-based serviceschac therapists support the psychological and emotional well-being of students in grades k-12 in 34 schools across four school districts - mountain view-whisman elementary, mountain view-los altos union high school, los altos elementary, and sunnyvale elementary including six high-needs title 1 schools. Chac provides ongoing counseling for students with behavioral and emotional challenges with a goal of serving the whole child. Our clinicians take an "integrated care" approach, providing students with coping mechanisms that replace unhealthy habits with better choices and facilitate academic success, increased attendance, decreased tardiness and improved social relationships. This program is designed to give each student the greatest chance for success in life by protecting them from high-risk behaviors while building personal assets such as school success, valuing diversity, maintaining good Health, and delaying gratification. Research shows that social-emotional learning (sel) improves academic achievement and increases prosocial behaviors such as kindness, sharing, and empathy; improves student attitudes toward school; and reduces depression and stress among students. Chac offers several innovative sel programs targeted to help students succeed during their elementary and middle school journeys. Beyond sel support, Chac's counselors are poised to support school personnel - both on-site and out of our clinic with additional staff and resources in responding to local, site-based, or family crises. Chac's school-based approach has a ripple effect; healthier children lead to healthier families, classmates and teachers, and ultimately, healthier communities. All Chac school programs are provided free of charge to students and their families.
Family resource centerschac's family resource centers (frcs) collaborate with first 5 santa clara county and other Community partners to offer programs that help parents and other caregivers understand the importance of physical and social-emotional development during the first years of life and early school years, along with the family and Community engagement needed to build strong communities.
Clinic serviceschac's approach to individual, couples, and family counseling reflects what we believe in most: the value of each individual, the importance of family, and the necessity of Community. Our programs serve all ages on a sliding fee and address a variety of emotional challenges that cause stress within their families including bullying, anxiety, sadness/depression, aggressive or defiant behavior, drug and alocohol abuse, physical and psychological abuse, truancy, domestic violence, gang participation, child custody conflicts, suicide prevention, and economic hardship. Clinical services are provided via tele-health during covid and always on a sliding scale fee payment plan; no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Chac's assessment clinic provides comprehensive psychological assessments using best-practice models and evidence-based testing measures.