Western Youth Services

Advancing awareness, cultivating success and strengthening communities through integrated mental health services for children, youth and families.

In 1972, a group of caring parents, teachers and police officers came together in Fullerton to create what now is known as Western Youth Services. They believed that local youth struggling with behavioral or emotional issues deserved more compassion, additional access to treatment and a greater number of resources devoted just to them.

From these humble beginnings, Western Youth Services has grown into one of Orange County's leading providers of children's and youth mental health services. As the needs of the community have evolved, so too has the organization—expanding beyond its original mission to provide a comprehensive continuum of care that supports children, adolescents, young adults, and their families through every stage of their mental health journey.

Today, Western Youth Services serves thousands of children, youth, and families each year through outpatient clinics, school-based mental health programs, community partnerships, prevention and early intervention services, care coordination, and specialized treatment programs. By bringing services directly into schools and neighborhoods, the organization helps reduce barriers to care and ensures that young people receive support where they learn, grow, and thrive.

Recognizing that mental health challenges often extend beyond childhood, Western Youth Services has also expanded its reach to better support adolescents and young adults as they navigate critical life transitions. Through innovative programs that foster resilience, emotional wellness, life skills, and healthy relationships, the organization empowers young people to build confidence, overcome adversity, and create pathways toward long-term success.

For more than five decades, Western Youth Services has remained committed to shaping brighter futures for Orange County's youth. By partnering with families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the agency continues to advance access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care—helping children and young adults not only overcome challenges but also discover their strengths, realize their potential, and lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

1. 528 Mental Health Training Sessions. 9,777 Empowered Community Members. Our comprehensive training has fortified healthcare providers with crucial skills for addressing mental health issues effectively, elevating the standard of care. Concurrently, we've equipped 9,777 community members with the tools to identify and address mental health concerns, bolstering the local support network. An impressive 95% of training attendees endorse program quality, fostering an atmosphere of clinical rigor. Notably, 93% report substantial gains in mental health competencies, leading to tangible improvements in care outcomes.

2. 13,250 Unique Students Served. Our school-based prevention and early intervention initiatives, including small groups, workshops, lunch clubs, and in-school supports, have made a significant impact. 72% of our clients have reported improved or maintained coping skills, underscoring the effectiveness of our programs in equipping students with essential tools for their academic and personal development.

3. 6.316 Clients Treated in Clinics. At WYS, we deliver individualized, solution-focused services aligned with each client's unique treatment objectives, employing evidence-based practices. The outcomes speak volumes, with a remarkable 89% of our clients reporting healthy, improving, or stable mental health and well-being. Our clinical approach ensures that every client receives the tailored care they need to achieve their treatment goals effectively.

4. 4,369 Community-Based Referrals. In alignment with the state of California's ACEs Aware initiative, WYS' One Door Any Door™ process rigorously screens and refers individuals to essential services, ensuring they gain appropriate access to care. These unique referrals through our process are instrumental in connecting individuals with the crucial support they require, bolstering their access to vital services.

5. Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Our organization has taken significant steps in the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), including retaining leading DEI experts and hiring an in-house DEI liaison to serve as a conduit between WYS staff and upper management, including the Board of Directors. A DEI roadmap with strategic initiatives is our guide for future DEI initiatives. We are committed to making certain that our services are accessible and equitable for all. Through the cultivation of an inclusive environment, we've not only extended our outreach but also enhanced our effectiveness, ensuring that every individual, irrespective of their background, receives the support necessary for their flourishing.

1. We look forward to continuing our support of students and schools through expansion of our school-based programs to a minimum of 5 new school districts. Due to the increase in adversities and mental health needs that emerged during the pandemic, we know that intervening early in the school setting is essential to preventing future adversity and toxic stress for our vulnerable students. Through partnering with WYS, schools have requested a dedicated mental health provider to assist with supporting multiple levels of support from prevention to intensive intervention for students, families, teachers, and communities.

2. As a part of the Orange County Trauma Informed Network of Care (TINoC) implementation project through ACEs Aware, we look forward to being a part of the solution toward a comprehensive system of care. Through pioneering much of the ACEs work—from education to treatment—in Orange County, we look forward to sharing our experience and best practices with other providers as we work toward improving the system of care, reducing ACEs, and buffering toxic stress for children and families.

3. Through our One Door Any Door® Access Coordination work we learned that the need for mental health services is at an all-time high. Our goal is to provide access coordination to an additional 1000 clients this year. For outside services, we learned that the demand for service outweighs the supply of available providers. Families are taking longer to get connected to outside services and run the risk of falling through the cracks without guidance and support throughout the process. With the support of our One Door Any Door® model, families are able to stay connected to a personalized Access Coordinator who stays with families until they are connected to support. As more children are screened for ACEs in primary care, this level of service is essential to getting appropriate care for those most at risk.

4. We aim to fully integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles into all aspects of our organization and programs. This includes recruiting and retaining a diverse team of staff that reflects the communities we serve, eliminating biases or barriers within our policies, and actively engaging with the communities we serve to co-create programs and services that are relevant and effective. By prioritizing DEI, we aim to create a more just and equitable environment for all stakeholders, ultimately improving the well-being of the children and families we support.

All of Orange County, CA.

Resilience is a key component in helping children grow up healthy and develop the ability to cope with life's challenges, both now and in the future. While we all wish for the best for children, it's important to recognize that the path to good mental health and effective coping skills isn't automatic. Mental health disorders often act as "invisible barriers" to successful lives and better communities. These challenges not only impact individual well-being but also hinder the efforts of institutions like schools and other agencies in addressing issues such as homelessness, child abuse, crime, and obstacles to education.

Before the pandemic, statistics showed that one out of every five children had a diagnosable mental health condition, equating to more than 150,000 children in Orange County alone. The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated this issue, with the number of affected children skyrocketing. In this context, addressing children's mental health challenges has become more critical than ever.

To address these pressing concerns, Western Youth Services (WYS) offers a comprehensive range of mental health and coping skill services tailored to meet diverse needs. Our services encompass various levels of care, from awareness education and early intervention to therapy for youth and families with intensive mental health needs. We are dedicated to providing these essential services to children, adolescents, and families through a network of outpatient clinics, community locations, and schools across Orange County.

At WYS, we are committed to breaking down the stigma associated with seeking mental health support and eliminating barriers to access. We serve a wide range of individuals, including the uninsured, underinsured, Medi-Cal eligible, and school districts. In collaboration with school districts, WYS offers a unique school-based program aimed at equipping children with the tools they need to feel safe, happy, and empowered to make responsible choices both in school and in life.

By focusing on resilience and offering a full spectrum of mental health services, we strive to create a future where every child can thrive, no matter the challenges they face. Together, we can work towards a community where mental health is prioritized, and all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.