Child Guidance Center's Press Releases
Please take a moment to take a look at what’s been happening at Child Guidance Center. For your convenience, we present our most current press releases below.
CGC's Annual Holiday Tree Fantasy 2008
Irvine, California — December 14, 2008. Three hundred and fifty guests attended Child Guidance Center's 26th Annual Holiday Tree Fantasy, in support of the Center's Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
This year's event celebrating the Holidays "Through the Eyes of a Child," held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine included Santa Claus, luncheon, live and silent auctions. Featured were eight trees with gifts beneath each individually themed tree.
The Woodbridge Singers from Woodbridge High School opened the luncheon by inviting the children on stage while they sang "The 12 Days of Christmas," followed by CGC board president Adam Vali's warm welcome.
A special tribute by past board president, Chris Hildreth, to retiring 36-year CGC executive director Hank Paris, noted that "under Hank's guidance, CGC grew from one full-time staff person and several volunteers to 80 current employees; from providing one type of counseling service to multiple services; from seeing 50 families weekly to more than 1,000 families; and expanding from one location to five locations, including new offices in Mission Viejo and in Tustin at the OC Rescue Mission's Village of Hope."
Hildreth announced the establishment of the Hank Paris Children's Fund in his honor. Honorary Chairman and baseball great Bobby Grich shared that he was introduced to Child Guidance by Hildreth, who taught him to surf. To everyone's amusement, an impromptu live auction by auctioneer Chuch Dreyer sold surfing lessons by Hildreth to Vali's fiancée and event chairwoman Debbie Taylor and CGC board member Mike Caito.
Awards were presented to South County Bank as Corporate Sponsor of the Year, with Executive Vice President Kent Falk accepting; Sandra Segerstrom Daniel as Children's Visionary; and to Drive for a Cause as the Outstanding Community Partner, with Marcus Berry and Jeff Bellitti accepting.
Net proceeds of $80,000 will continue to fund CGC's counseling services and its award-winning Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for children and their families.
The Macy's Foundation Gives a $15,000 Grant to PCIT
Santa Ana. October 29, 2008. The children and families served by Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s (CGC) Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program received much needed and appreciated support today thanks to the generosity of the Macy's Foundation.
Received October 21, 2008, was a check for $15,000 from the Macy's Foundation to help CGC continue its highly innovative and effective Parent-Child Interaction Therapy program.
"The Macy's Foundation's support helps CGC's award-winning PCIT program reach at risk children and families living throughout Orange County" noted Hank Paris, Executive Director. "Without the support of caring corporations such as Macy's, CGC would not be able to provide this highly effective service" he added.
PCIT serves the needs of children, ages 2-8, whose unacceptable behaviors such as severe temper tantrums and ongoing negativity are unacceptable, and/or of parents need to add to their child management skills. Parent and child are seen together in specially equipped treatment complexes located in CGC's Fullerton and Santa Ana offices.. Working from behind a one-way mirror, the therapist coaches the parent through a wireless earphone on how to better relate to and manage their child's behavior in the moment. Some 50 studies in the professional literature document the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
CGC has been providing PCIT services in partnership with UC Davis, Medical Center since 2004. The program has been found to produce statistically significant results comparable to and exceeding national average reported in the professional literature.
For additional information about PCIT, please call (714) 953-4455, Ext. 617.
CGC Gains National Recognition
Sacramento, California — October 30, 2008. Before an audience of 350+ attendees at the 2008 National Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Conference, the UC Davis PCIT Training Center chose Child Guidance Center, Inc. as one of two PCIT programs in the country to receive special recognition.
The plaque presented by Anthony Urquiza, Director of the UC Davis Training Center to Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC) reads: "Presented to Child Guidance Center, Inc. In recognition of outstanding work and leadership achieving positive outcomes for children and families". Lori Pack, LCSW, Clinical Program Director of CGC's PCIT program, accepted on behalf of CGC.
The luncheon ceremony was preceded by a PowerPoint presentation by Pack showing CGC's statistically significant treatment outcomes including: the intensity and frequency of occurrence of child behavior problems declined significantly from pre- to post treatment; the number of children's behaviors that their caregivers perceived to be problems decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment; and, parents' ratings of their role-related stress decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment. The outcome information referenced CGC's first three years of operating the PCIT program and was gathered and analyzed by statistician and researcher Susan Timmer, PhD, UC Davis Medical Center.
Pack, as part of a four-person panel, traced the development and growth of CGC's PCIT program including development of funding resources, training of staff, and opening a series of PCIT facilities to better serve children and families from a broad socio-economic and ethnic spectrum. CGC's PCIT services are currently offered at its Fullerton, Mission Viejo and Santa Ana offices and slated to be offered in partnership with the Orange County Rescue Mission at the Mission's Child Development Campus Center, Tustin, this month. CGC is scheduled to open a PCIT program at the Tustin Family Campus in April, 2009, in partnership with the County of Orange Social Services Agency. MediCal-related PCIT services are available at the Fullerton and Santa Ana offices.
For PCIT services, call (714) 953-4455, Ext. 620. For information about the program, visit CGC's website at www.cgcoc.org or contact Lori Pack at (714) 953-4455, Ext. 617 or by e-mail at lpack@cgcinc.org.
PCIT Comes to Mission Viejo
Sacramento, California — UC Davis PCIT Training Center presented one of two awards given nation-wide to Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC).
Witnessed by some 350 attendees at the National PCIT (Parent-Child Intervention Therapy) Conference held at the UC Davis Medical Center the award was presented to Lori Pack, LCSW, CGC PCIT Clinical Program Director and Hank Paris, LCSW, CGC Executive Director (in absentia), "In recognition of outstanding work and leadership achieving positive outcomes for children and families".
Developed in partnership with the UC Davis Medical Center in 2004, CGC's PCIT program is the premier provider of PCIT services in Orange County. Staffed by some seventeen PCIT-trained therapists/coaches, the program provides PCIT services at four CGC treatment locations: Fullerton, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana, and Tustin (at the Orange County Rescue Mission, Child Development Center).
PCIT is a coaching program that works with parent and child simultaneously. Observing from behind a one-way mirror, the therapist coaches the parent through a wireless earphone on specific ways of relating to and managing the child's behavior at the moment. PCIT responds to an often-expressed parental wish... "having a trained professional whispering in their ear what to say and what to do at the time they need it." Reflecting that thought, CGC's PCIT tag-line is "Better Parenting ... A Whisper Away™".
PCIT serves children 2 - 10 yrs. of age who may: be strong-willed, refuse/defy adult requests; be easily frustrated, lose their temper or whine; constantly seek attention; engage in power struggles; have difficulty staying seated, playing quietly, or taking turns; exhibit sad or anxious moods; disrupt in daycare, school, or home settings; and or may also be on medication to manage their behavioral problems.
PCIT helps: enhance the parent/child relationships and child-management skills; increase the child's ability to manage frustration; improve the child's minding and listening skills; build the child's confidence; encourage the child's independence and self-control; improve the child's attention skills; and strengthen the child's social skills. While typically the program consists of about 14 sessions, parents often report marked improvements in 3-4.
Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC) was founded in 1967 as a tax-exempt non-profit by a group of concerned parents and mental health professionals. CGC's counseling programs currently serve over 1,000 children and families weekly. PCIT services are supported by a combination of community charity, government contracts, and fees.
For information about CGC or about the PCIT program, call (714) 953-4455, Ext. 620 or visit CGC's website: www.cgcoc.org to download the PCIT brochure or to view the 2:50 mins. NBC video clip profiling CGC's PCIT program.
2008 Festival of Children
Irvine, California — Child Guidance Center, Inc. joined the 2008 Festival of Children Foundation in its efforts to bring the community's focus and attention to the work of charities serving children. Taking place at the South Coast Plaza, the 2008 event highlighted over 60 charities, featured over 120 activities, workshops, performances, celebrity appearances, and generated fun for the children and families in the Orange County community.
The event gave Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC) and the 60 other participating charities the opportunity to make new friends in the community, inform the public about its award-winning programs, recruit volunteers, as well as to network with fellow charities.
Founded by Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, and based in Orange County, California, the Festival of Children Foundation is a 501 C (3) non-profit organization. 100% of the public support received goes towards providing resources and support to more than 100 youth serving organizations.
For more information about the Festival of Children Foundation, please call (714) 438-3286 or visit www.festivalofchildren.org. For information about Child Guidance Center, Inc, please contact Sharmil Shah, Psy.D, at (714) 953-4455, Ext. 663 or visit www.cgcoc.org
PCIT Comes to Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, California — November 15, 2008. Wouldn't it be nice if someone whispered what to do and say at those stressful parenting moments: whining, temper tantrums, sibling fights, or the strong-willed child that defies your requests. That someone is now available in Mission Viejo through Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s Parent Child Interaction Therapy program... PCIT for short.
PCIT is coaching program that works with parent and child simultaneously. Observing from behind a one-way mirror, the therapist coaches the parent through a wireless earphone on specific ways of relating to and managing the child's behavior at the moment. Lori Pack, LCSW, PCIT program Director, herself a certified PCIT coach, notes that PCIT responds to an often-expressed parental wish... "having a trained professional whispering in their ear what to say and what to do at the time they need it." CGC's PCIT tag-line is "Better Parenting ... A Whisper Away ™"
PCIT serves children 2 — 10 yrs. of age who may: be strong-willed, refuse/defy adult requests; be easily frustrated, lose their temper or whine; constantly seek attention; engage in power struggles; have difficulty staying seated, playing quietly, or taking turns; exhibit sad or anxious moods; disrupt in daycare, school, or home settings; and or may also be on medication to manage their behavioral problems.
PCIT helps: enhance the parent/child relationships and child-management skills; increase the child's ability to manage frustration; improve the child's minding and listening skills; build the child's confidence; encourage the child's independence and self-control; improve the child's attention skills; and strengthen the child's social skills. While typically the program consists of about 14 sessions, parents often report marked improvements in 3-4.
Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s PCIT program was developed in partnership with the UC Davis, Medical Center some five years ago and has since been offered to at risk and other families through CGC's PCIT community charity and government subsidized programs in Fullerton, Santa Ana and (as of Nov., '08) in conjunction with the Orange County Rescue Mission Child Development Center, at the Village of Hope, in Tustin.
Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC) was founded in 1967 as a non-profit by a group of concerned parents and mental health professionals. CGC's counseling programs currently serve over 1,000 children and families weekly through offices in Buena Park, Fullerton and Santa Ana; on school campuses throughout the Orange County as needed; and, at community centers in Anaheim, La Habra, Santa Ana, and Tustin.
CGC's PCIT program received United Way of Orange County's prestigious OC Community Excellence Award for its PCIT program in 2005 and 2006. NBC TV Channel 4 and Telemundo also profiled the program.
While continuing to offer PCIT services subsidized by community charity and government funds at its Fullerton, Santa Ana and Tustin locations, counseling services at the Mission Viejo location will be funded through client fees only.
CGC's PCIT Mission Viejo program opens Nov. 15, 2008 at 27451 Los Altos, Suite 240, Mission Viejo. For information about CGC or about the PCIT program, call (714) 953-4455, Ext. 620 or visit CGC's website: www.cgcoc.org to download the PCIT brochure or to view the 2:50 mins. NBC video clip profiling CGC's PCIT program.
CGC's PCIT Program Published in "Working Strategies" Journal
Paradise, California — May 1, 2008. Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC) proudly announces that its award-winning Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program is featured in the latest issue of the Working Strategies Journal as one of six-evidence-based practices identified by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC). The CEBC is guided by a statewide Advisory Committee comprised of state and local welfare leaders, supporting organizations, and nationally respected authorities on child welfare; and, by a national Scientific Panel comprised of five core members who are nationally recognized as leaders in child welfare research and practice. Selection criteria include: programs that demonstrate strong empirical support for their efficacy; and, are marketed and in common use in California. The criteria draw on two scales: the Scientific Rating Scale and the Child Welfare Relevance Rating Scale. The former is a 1 to 6 scale that rates the scientific evidence supporting the practice; the latter, 1 to 3 scale that looks at the degree to which the program was designed for families served by child welfare organizations. One (1) on the Scientific Rating Scale reflects a well-supported, effective practice; six (6), represents a concerning practice. One (1) on the Child Welfare Relevance Rating Scale is noted as high in relevance; three (3) as low. PCIT is rated as a one (1) on both scales. To read the Working Strategies article, "Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in Orange County" by Hank Paris, LCSW, CGC's Executive Director, please click here The article can be found on pages 8-9.
CGC’s Annual Holiday Tree Fantasy a Resounding Success
Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s Santa Ana Office Has a New Location
Santa Ana, California — March 19, 2007. CGC saw its last client at the 1st Street location late Friday afternoon, March 16th, and its first client at its new location at 9 a.m., Monday, March 19th. The new offices at 525 Cabrillo Park Drive, Ste. 300, Santa Ana, CA 92701 are less than a mile from the previous ones. Client and staff are pleased with the new facilities that include waiting rooms for children and for adults, doubles the PCIT program's capacity, and adds spacious conference/group rooms. The facility provides excellent office accommodations to the support, administrative and clinical staff on the third floor of the building and child and family-friendly counseling facilities. The office is freeway-close to the 5 and the 55; two blocks from public transportation; and, has ample parking.
CGC’s Annual Holiday Tree Fantasy a Resounding Success
Irvine, California — December 10, 2006. The Child Guidance Center's 24th annual "Holiday Tree Fantasy," held at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, featured eight beautifully decorated evergreens, each tree raffled to a lucky ticket holder, along with each tree’s themed complement of goodies. Depending on the tree's theme, there were wine and cigars, toys, makeup, a home theater with a 46-inch high-definition television, tickets and games, and sports items.
This year’s annual “Holiday Tree Fantasy” was graced by 350 enthusiastic attendees, who also participated in the long-awaited live auction featuring airfare for two to Honolulu courtesy of Aloha Airlines, a Newport Harbor sunset cruise for six aboard a Lear 204 electric boat, and a framed guitar signed by all four Beatles.
Executive Director Hank Paris was awash in the holiday spirit as he gratefully acknowledged contributors and attendees alike. Child Guidance Center, The 39-year-old nonprofit Child Guidance Center has been active in providing Orange County communities professionally administered and innovative child-abuse prevention and mental health programs. “I am proud to say that we have a referral rate of less than 1 percent, almost unheard of in our particular sphere of activity,” Director Paris exclaimed. Board President Chris Hildreth went on to credit “a young, dynamic board for raising awareness of Child Guidance Center’s programs.”
For more information, Child Guidance Center may be contacted by phone at (714) 953-4455, ext. 626.
Child Guidance Center, Inc. Receives Orange County United Way Community Outreach’s Prestigious “Agency Excellence Award 2006”
Laguna Hills, California — June 1, 2006. Before a group of some 150 business, foundation, and community leaders, the Orange County United Way’s Outreach Council presented one of three “Community Excellence Agency Awards” to CGC.
The award recognized CGC’s highly innovative Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program. The presentation described PCIT as a proven method of improving family relationships and reducing repeated reports to the Child Abuse Registry. It noted CGC’s program as having statistically significant results and as having received recognition by NBC-TV news, Telemundo TV nationally and internationally in 23 countries, and the cover and cover story of the Newport Beach [714] magazine.
As one of only three of the over 120 United Way agencies doing outstanding work in the community to have been recognized, CGC is very proud of this honor. Even more so, because this is the second year in a row that CGC has won the award.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a highly innovative coaching approach to enhancing parenting skills, decreasing child behavior problems and improving the quality of the parent-child relationship. PCIT serves children, aged 2-8, having problems in nursery, daycare or pre-school; are aggressive towards parents, siblings or other children; backtalk; refuse to follow directions; have frequent temper tantrums; and/or are defiant. It is particularly helpful for parents that are concerned by their increasing frustration on how to deal with their child's difficult behaviors; or for parents looking for ways to enhance their parent-child relationship. Parent and child are seen together. The therapist observes the parent-child interactions through a one-way mirror and gives support and tips on how to handle situations as they occur using a radio earphone. PCIT responds to an often-expressed parental wish — having a trained professional whispering in their ear what to say/do at the time they need it.
For more information about PCIT, call (714) 953-4455, ext. 620 or 617.
Newport Beach [714] Magazine Features Child Guidance Center on the Cover of its Dec. 1, 2005 Issue
Newport Beach, California, — December 12, 2005. Newport Beach [714] magazine dedicated its December 1, 2005 cover and cover story to Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s (CGC) highly innovative and effective counseling programs.
The magazine cover features a group photo of volunteers: Michael Caito, President, Restaurants on the Run and Member of CGC's Board of Directors; Lily Thomas, Chair of the CGC's signature event, the '05 Holiday Tree Fantasy and Member of the CGC Board of Directors; Lois McKinney, Member of the CGC Thrift Shop Board of Directors; and staff members, Lori Pack, LCSW, Clinical Program Director of CGC's Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment programs; and Hank Paris, LCSW, CGC Executive Director.
The cover story, written by David Krissman, a Newport Beach [714] staff writer describes CGC's highly innovative and effective Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program and gives an overview of CGC program.