Episcopal Community Services’ (ECS) Para Las Familias program provides critical mental and behavioral health services for the youngest members of San Diego’s community and the need for these therapy services continues to grow. To continue to help ECS provide these services at no cost, ECS was recently awarded a $70,000 grant from San Diego Foundation and the Dr. Seuss Foundation.

“For more than 22 years, our Para Las Familias program has worked to strengthen the mental and behavioral health of children throughout our community,” said Elizabeth Fitzsimons, ECS chief executive officer. “We have seen firsthand the impacts traumatic experiences can have not only on children, but also on their parents and caregivers. Through Para Las Familias, we aim to provide accessible and affordable therapy services. This grant from San Diego Foundation and the Dr. Seuss Foundation allows us to continue building upon the good work we are already doing.”

ECS’ outpatient bicultural and bilingual Para Las Familias program serves children 18 months to 12 years old and their families throughout south San Diego County, and works to strengthen the foundational bonds that will set children on track for healthy relationships, self-confidence, and success in school and beyond. Para Las Familias’ therapists provide screening, assessment, family and group therapy, school observation, and teacher/provider consultation at Para Las Familias’ offices, or in the child’s home or classroom. In addition, Para Las Familias also provides adult mental health services and weekly parenting groups to the caregivers of the children it serves. To learn more about Para Las Familias and how to access its services, visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/para-las-familias or call (619) 565-2650.

About Episcopal Community Services 

For more than 97 years, ECS has been taking action to end generational cycles of hardship, advancing equity and opportunity across our region. The organization is focused on breaking barriers and empowering individuals to create a community where all can pursue an abundant life. Serving more than 6,000 individuals a year, ECS’ programs increase access to early childhood education and development services and strengthen the mental and behavioral health of individuals and families in our communities. For more information on ECS, visit https://www.ecscalifornia.org/.