Edgewood Center for Children and Families is celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2011. It provides behavioral health, family support, and educational services to over 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year. The document discusses Edgewood's Youth Agency Mental Health Consultation program, which partners with San Francisco agencies to increase their capacity to effectively serve at-risk youth. A mental health consultant works onsite with agencies using a strengths-based and systemic approach to understand challenges and facilitate sustainable improvements, ultimately enhancing the quality of services provided to clients.

1. “Our dynamic consultation
team of highly committed Celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2011, Edgewood
and experienced practitioners Center for Children and Families (Edgewood) helps
children and families take back their future by working
has provided concrete with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse,
supports in our work with neglect, mental illness and crisis. The oldest children’s
the most high risk youth and charity in the western U.S., Edgewood has evolved to
meet the community’s changing needs. What began
families. Together we are as a refuge for Gold Rush orphans is now a nationally
creating supportive systems recognized, multifaceted agency. Edgewood serves
more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area Edgewood Youth Agency
and instilling skills in staff each year through behavioral health, family support,
Mental Health Consultation
that will foster high quality and educational services. Edgewood: transforming
lives, restoring hope. (YAMHC)
effective services well into
the future. We appreciate OUR MISSION
The mission of Edgewood Center for Children and
the in-depth assessment Families is to strengthen children, youth, families, and
We help organizations and staff
process which facilitated an their communities through service, training, advocacy,
and research.
inventory of our strengths help at-risk youth.
and challenges to develop OUR SERVICES
Learn more about Edgewood and its services at Youth Agency Mental Health
meaningful priorities. This edgewood.org.
Consultation partners with San
has been an agency driven Francisco agencies increasing their
CONTACT US
process which resulted in a Londa Overbeck, LCSW capacity to effectively serve at-risk
tailored approach that was Program Manager/Mental Health Consultant
youth by maximizing organizational
415.498.0563; 917.763.8750
responsive to our needs.” londao@edgewood.org
strengths and staff potential.
EDGEWOOD CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
-Gloria Romero
1801 Vicente Street
Youth Services Director Mission San Francisco, CA 94116
Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Tel: 415.681.3211
edgewood.org
Funded by the Mental Health Services Act.

2. YOUTH AGENCY MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION CONSULTATION PROCESS:
addresses organizational needs and empowers staff, which I. Intake: YAMHC team meets with
leadership staff to understand
positively impacts the youth served. the agency and their needs and to
clarify next steps.
Research shows that as
10 PRINCIPLES OF MENTAL II. Planning: The consultant works
organizational functioning HEALTH CONSULTATION with staff to evaluate agency
improves so does the quality of strengths and vulnerabilities
services the agency provides. » Strengths-based through observation, inquiry,
and the administration of a
A MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT: » Systemic Approach questionnaire. The consultant
shares the findings with staff
» Is a psychotherapist with » Multiple Perspectives and facilitates a process of
extensive experience working in
prioritizing goals and planning
nonprofits serving at-risk youth. » Transparent
for interventions.
Communication
» Is a collaborative partner III. Intervention: Interventions
who works onsite with an » Staff Empowerment are implemented as planned.
agency, incorporating multiple Examples of interventions
perspectives to develop a » Cultural Awareness include: case consultation, staff
comprehensive understanding of support groups, referral systems
organizational challenges. » Tailored Interventions development, conflict mediation,
leadership coaching, employee
» Utilizes mental health expertise » Collaborative Partnership development, and training.
and the knowledge of staff within
the organization to facilitate » Sustainability of Change IV. Transition: Once goals are
a sustainable change process, achieved and staff are prepared
resulting in improved services to » Outcome-based to maintain gains independently,
agency clients. the consultant will transition
out.
Visit us online at edgewood.org/whatwedo/training/yamhc.html