With 30 trained health providers
Officials celebrated the grand opening of the Antelope Valley's first county-operated, youth-centered mental health program this week at its new offices in Palmdale.
Theion Perkins, the senior deputy director of Outpatient Care Services for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Services, and Anders Corey, health deputy for Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the 5th District, gave remarks and toured the facilities, alongside program leadership.
According to the county, the Antelope Valley Child and Adolescent Program is open to patients up to 21 years of age, providing them and their families with mental health services. The program offers individual, group and family therapy; crisis evaluation and intervention; case management and community linkage; medication evaluation and support; and psychological testing.
“Expanding our well-being resources and programs in the Antelope Valley allows us to continue our mission of bringing hope and healing to our youngest residents and their families,'' LACDMH Director Lisa H. Wong said in a statement. “We look forward to enhancing our services and supporting the needs of those who call Palmdale and the surrounding communities home.''
The facility, located at 2323 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite A, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. To reach the program center, call (661) 223-3800.
The program is intended to connect patients with health professionals–a total of 30 trained health providers, including marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists–who can provide assistance. The program also has medical case workers and community health workers for additional support, community outreach and service linkage, the county stated.
“Today's event was more than just opening the county's first Antelope Valley clinic for children and adolescents, it was about welcoming the community through our doors and helping them become familiar with the critical care that LACDMH can provide to the region's families,'' James Coomes, chief of LACDMH's Service Area 1 (Antelope Valley), said in a statement. “Our Child and Adolescent Program is dedicated to providing a broad range of quality mental health services and specialty care services for eating disorders, complex trauma, family conflict, and more.''
