Specialized Information and Referral

The agency provides substance use disorder services for adults and youth who live in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Services are targeted, but not restricted, to low-income, Spanish-speaking people; they include centralized intake and assessment, crisis intervention, adult drug diversion, drug use disorder education for youth, outpatient alcohol use disorder treatment, outpatient drug use disorder treatment, a perinatal program, and specialized information and referral. There are no geographic restrictions.

The agency's San Fernando Valley Community Resource Center provides centralized intake and assessment, crisis intervention and specialized information and referral. Client services include case management, on-site medical screenings and transportation to drug treatment.

PC-1000 Adult drug diversion is provided for court-referred, first-time misdemeanor offenders. This is a 20-week program of drug education, group counseling and twelve-step meetings.

The alcohol use disorder outpatient services are for pregnant and parenting women. Services are provided through two programs. The day treatment program requires women to participate three to five days per week, four hours per day. Services include counseling, self-help groups and additional rehabilitation services. The outpatient program requires women to participate at least two times per month. These services focus on individualized counseling and alcohol-related problems. Both programs provide information and referral for after care services and sober living housing opportunities. Child care and transportation are available. The program also provides medical monitoring of infants.

The agency's drug-free outpatient rehabilitation program accepts adults who have been drug free for less than one year. Most program participants are referred by DPSS, the probation department or the parole department. Program participation ranges from six months to one year, depending upon individual needs and progress. Services include group, family and individual counseling; random drug testing; and twelve-step meetings. Priority for participation is given to pregnant women and people with HIV infections . Youth under the age of 18 may participate with parental consent if it appears that their drug use is more than experimental. Transportation is provided.

The agency provides a perinatal drug program for pregnant and parenting women of all ages. Services are provided through two programs. The day care program requires women to participate three days per week, four hours per day. Services include counseling, self-help groups and additional rehabilitation services. The outpatient program requires women to participate two times per month. The focus of this program is on individualized counseling and drug-related problems. Women in both programs may receive domestic violence counseling, health education and HIV education. Child care is provided and transportation is available. The program also includes medical monitoring of infants.

The agency also offers an outreach program to provide youth with alternatives to drug use or gang involvement. The program uses mini-bikes and participation in a folklorico dance group to involve youth in constructive activities and provide opportunities for the development of positive self-esteem. The mini-bike and folklorico dance program are open to the youth enrolled in the early intervention program as well as to all youth in the San Fernando Valley who are low-income and at high-risk for drug use or gang involvement.