Over the course of working in the child-welfare field for more than four decades, I have learned that:

• No one is immune from mental, emotional, or behavioral problems.
• There's nothing more rewarding than getting people—particularly children and teens— the help they need and then watching them embrace life with a newfound sense of self, purpose, and genuine happiness.

These learned lessons have sharpened significantly since becoming CEO of the Child & Family Center.  That's because—as the Santa Clarita Valley's only outpatient facility dedicated to meeting the mental-and-behavioral-health needs of children, adolescents, families, and adults—our Center provides healing, therapeutic care for youngsters and families from virtually every conceivable life circumstance and background.  Hundreds come through our doors annually, and I am awed by the powerful, positive effect our team of highly skilled child psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, case managers, marriage, family and child counselors has on those experiencing even the most severe of challenges.

I am reminded, for example, of the teen girl whose life was spiraling out of control.  Staunchly defiant as well as verbally and physically aggressive, she had been expelled from two local schools.  After conducting a comprehensive assessment, our therapeutic treatment team began individual and family counseling.  As the teen's treatment progressed, her therapists discovered that she was a fleet-footed, naturally gifted sprinter, so they expanded her treatment plan to include joining a private track-and-field team.  In short order her self-esteem skyrocketed and her family relationships regained solid footing.  She has since returned to a mainstream school and is now earning A's and B's. 

This young lady's story is one of many that illustrate so very well a cornerstone philosophy of the Child & Family Center.  Specifically, we believe in not only addressing our clients' challenges, but also in uncovering and building upon their inherent strengths.  Another guiding tenet of our Center is that treatment can travel; meaning, in addition to our two Santa Clarita offices, we can provide care in whatever setting is most conducive to success.  For instance, if a youngster's difficulties are best suited to treatment in a school setting, then we will deliver school-based services.  Or, if it appears that services should be wrapped around a child and family within the confines of their own home, then our treatment team will do just that.

The Child & Family Center's history of success—which spans 35 years in the Santa Clarita Valley—is also attributable to our comprehensive range of more than 20 programs and services that can be tailored to meet each client's unique needs.  Each day I marvel at the healing impact this Center has, as well as our community of supporters and donors who help to make it all possible.  Together, we are absolutely committed to ensuring that the Child & Family Center will continue to serve as the Santa Clarita Valley's most turned to—and most trusted—mental-health resource.

- Darrell Paulk, CEO