Darrell Evora, MFT, MBA
President & CEO
EMQ FamiliesFirst

• Experts estimate that 1 in 5 children struggles with a mental illness
• Almost 40 percent of high school students with mental health issues will drop out of high school.¹
• The onset of major mental illness may occur as early as age 7 to 11² but may not be properly diagnosed until the youth is in their late 20s or 30s – if at all.
• Suicide is California’s third leading cause of death in teens and young adults aged 15 – 24¹
• It is estimated that 50 percent of children in the child welfare system and nearly 70 percent of children in the juvenile justice system suffer from mental health disorders²

• Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified in the early years, with children and youth from low-income households at increased risk for mental health problems²

Editors Note:  The indications that a child is being abused are not always obvious, but some common signs are: sudden mood swings or anxiety; aggressive behavior; and poor school performance.  A child that is extraordinarily watchful or “on alert” may also be a victim or abuse.  For more information on how to help a child that may be in crisis, visit:  http://www.helpkids.org/

Campbell, CA, May 07, 2013  — For a child to overcome severe neglect, abuse and trauma requires the concentrated effort of a team of professionals.  Maricel was a little girl who had been deeply damaged by a “lost” two years abroad with her mother.  With the help from EMQ FamiliesFirst her future looks promising, beating the odds that are stacked against a trauma-exposed child.  EMQ FamiliesFirst is California’s largest children’s services agency.  Children traumatized early in life experience higher rates of depression, dropping out of school, homelessness and drug abuse.

Following her parents’ divorce, young Maricel moved overseas with her mother.  What happened during those two years is not clear, but what is known is that she returned to the U.S. a deeply troubled little girl.  Her father enrolled her in school and soon her problems began to surface.  Her teachers and counselors agreed that she was in trouble.

A spiraling series of events left Maricel’s family overwhelmed and desperate for help: running away at age six, frequent anxiety and fearful crying at age seven, severe depression at age eight, her first attempt to hurt herself leading to hospitalization at age nine and additional suicide attempts and hospitalization stays after that.  

The dramatic turnaround started during sixth grade when, after an attempt to hang herself with a belt in the middle school restroom, Maricel was admitted into the residential treatment program run by EMQ FamiliesFirst. After a period of intense therapeutic services to get her stabilized, Maricel returned home and went back to school, but this time with the help of a skilled team from EMQ FamiliesFirst who worked closely with her within the public school environment.  

Now, at age 14, Maricel has a bright and promising future that includes college, interest in a career as a teacher, and a loving, supportive relationship with her dad and other family members. 

The team developed an individualized plan that included enrolling her in small, more structured classes, to get her up to speed on schoolwork.  She attended individual and group therapy sessions several times each week to deal with her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Therapists stayed in constant contact with Maricel’s dad and stepmother, sending home daily reports and meeting frequently with the family.

“The structure and consistency were extremely important for Maricel,” said Rita Barone, one of her EMQ FamiliesFirst therapists. “What we have pieced together of Maricel’s time with her mother were stories of being left alone for six or seven hours at a time – unfed, unbathed and unsupervised – when she was just four and five years old. So much neglect and so many broken promises are traumatic for a young child and led to self-destructive feelings that she would be better off dead.”

Thousands of miles away, Maricel’s father only knew that his little girl cried when she talked to him on the phone and begged to come home.  When his former wife’s family called to tell him they were worried about Maricel’s well-being, he immediately got on a plane and enlisted the help of the U.S. Embassy and Immigration Services to pull Maricel out of the harmful situation. 

After returning to California with Maricel, her father sought the treatment of psychiatrists. Maricel achieved little progress until the family was directed to EMQ FamiliesFirst. Little by little, Maricel began to develop more insight about her mother’s behavior and positive feelings of self worth about herself.  In seventh grade, Maricel was gradually re-introduced into mainstream classrooms, and by the end of the school year she achieving outstanding academic results.

“Maricel has been able to redirect her anger of what she experienced away from herself,” Rita said. “She’s realized that her mother’s addictions and behavior were not appropriate for a parent and that she herself was not the cause of them. Maricel has forgiven herself and is working on forgiving her mom.” 

Maricel’s mother’s whereabouts are unknown. Her father has sole custody now.  

Maricel has now graduated from her EMQ FamiliesFirst programs, and is completely mainstreamed in school.  She uses a journal and art to help her continue to sort out her feelings and overcome remaining anxieties and fears – tools she can use throughout the rest of her life.  Maricel’s journey was one of courage, bravery, learning and dedication,” said Rita. “We are all so proud of what she has overcome to become a confident young woman with hopes and dreams.”

Maricel expressed her own dream for the future. “Once I grow older – I’m not in a position to say what’s going to happen – but if I ever return to my old home overseas, I’ll turn it into a group home. That would turn bad memories into something good.”    

About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst takes a state-of-the-art approach to children and youth with complex behavioral health challenges: we combine research-based behavioral health services (including evidence-based therapies and psychiatric services) with a family-centered effort to identify and address the social and other needs of the family.

Editorial Contact
Sandy Smith for EMQ FamiliesFirst
(310) 560-8372
sandysmithpr@yahoo.com

Beating the Blues is an easy-to-use, self-help computer program that employs the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in self-guided sessions.  The program is scientifically proven to be as effective as face-to-face treatment, and it empowers participants to take an active role in their wellness.  It has also been shown to help prevent recurrences of depression and anxiety.

“Most of the caregivers we see are stressed, anxious or depressed.  This is hard on both them and their children,” said Mark Edelstein MD, Medical Director of EMQ FamiliesFirst.  “Making Beating the Blues available to caregivers will make a real difference for everyone in the family.”

EMQ FamiliesFirst is currently piloting Beating the Blues in Sacramento, where participants – including parents, grandparents and foster parents – are giving it positive reviews.  The agency will evaluate its impact not only on caregivers’ well-being but on the effectiveness of their parenting and the well-being of their children.

“This is a significant new partnership for U² Interactive and potentially opens up a new application for Beating the Blues,” said John Smith, chief operating officer at U² Interactive.  “Maintaining the health and wellbeing of caregivers is critical to help ensure the best outcomes for their loved ones and we are thrilled that EMQFF has agreed to utilize Beating the Blues to help meet this need.”

About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst takes a state-of-the-art approach to children and youth with complex behavioral health challenges: we combine research-based behavioral health services (including evidence-based therapies and psychiatric services) with a family-centered effort to identify and address the social and other needs of the family.

About U Squared Interactive
U Squared Interactive is a provider of innovative and cost effective computer based solutions for everyday health problems, lifestyle issues, and long-term conditions. Our core product ‘Beating the Blues’ is a cognitive behavioral therapy based treatment program for mild and moderate depression and anxiety.  Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable and evidence-based healthcare that will revolutionize how healthcare is delivered.  www.u2interactive.com

Editorial Contact
Kristine Austin
EMQ FamiliesFirst
(408) 364-4029 kaustin@emqff.org 

Thanks to Roger LA for producing this video.

HOLLYWOOD, CA, March 21, 2013 – Celebrities and Hollywood insiders joined forces last night at the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) to support the children in crisis and their families served by Hollygrove, a private nonprofit. Together, they raised $200,000 to help local youth overcome trauma and succeed in school. “The Norma Jean Gala,” named for the agency’s most famous former resident, was presented by Juicy Couture, and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, Busy Philipps, Diane Ladd and Debby Ryan. David Burtka served as the night’s Master of Ceremonies.

Hollygrove helps children recover from trauma, abuse and addiction, and ensures that families thrive. “The Norma Jean Gala,” the agency’s signature fundraising event, featured an exhibit of the creative work done by youth in Hollygrove’s “Endless Summer” after-school program. Guests met some of the young artists and experienced first-hand the therapeutic benefits of art. The exhibit was presented by Shannon and Dean Factor and the Max Factor Foundation.

“This event would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of Juicy Couture,” said Darrell Evora, President & CEO of EMQ FamiliesFirst, the parent organization of Hollygrove.  “Together, we’re continuing to do whatever it takes to help kids in crisis thrive. And, thanks to the support of the Hollywood community, today we’re helping more children in L.A. succeed in school through our Endless Summer program.”

Since its inception in 1911, Hollygrove has cared for more than 25,000 children. In 2006, Hollygrove opened its campus to the community and began school- and home-based services. Today, innovative programs relying exclusively on private funding include: the Endless Summer therapeutic after-school program; Camp Hollygrove; Project Fatherhood; and Family Finding for youth in foster care.

About Hollygrove
Hollygrove now serves more kids than ever before in its 100-year history in Hollywood.  Hollygrove is the Los Angeles division of EMQ FamiliesFirst, the largest children’s behavioral health provider in the western United States. The agency is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse and addiction, and rebuild their lives. EMQ FamiliesFirst fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state and federal systems that serve children in need. For more information, please visit http://www.emqff.org or follow the agency at @emqff.

About Juicy Couture
Juicy Couture embraces the bright and glamorous fun of its Los Angeles heritage by discovering the couture in the everyday, and delivering an element of surprise in all of its designs.

Famous for ascending the tracksuit to its status as a casual luxury icon, the brand continues to evolve, bringing the same confident, whimsical and feminine attitude to everything it creates. Today, the global phenomenon offers an assortment that spans fashion apparel for women, girls and baby, handbags, intimates, swimwear, fragrance, accessories, jewelry, sunglasses and small leather goods.

North America is home to approximately 126 Juicy Couture and Juicy Couture Outlet stores. You can also shop Juicy Couture in select specialty and department stores and at JuicyCouture.com.  Internationally, Juicy Couture and Juicy Couture Outlet stores can be found in over 30 different countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Follow JuicyCouture on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram and our blog, The Juicy.

In 2003, Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. (NYSE: FNP)(formerly Liz Claiborne Inc.) acquired the company.

Craig is now responsible for the agency’s psychiatry team and the Foster Care and Adoption Services in addition to the rest of EMQ FamiliesFirst’s clinical programs throughout California. As chief administrative officer, Kathy now oversees Compliance, Privacy, Outcomes & Evaluations, Quality, Learning and Development, IT and facilities departments.

“We are excited to have Craig and Kathy expand their leadership roles. This will further the agency’s efforts to provide more continuity in programs and services to children and families as well as executing business efficiently,” said Darrell Evora, president and CEO for EMQ FamiliesFirst. “Both executives have enabled EMQ FamiliesFirst to expand and reach more children and families in crisis—our end goal.”

About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst takes a state-of-the-art approach to children and youth with complex behavioral health challenges: we combine research-based behavioral health services (including evidence-based therapies and psychiatric services) with a family-centered effort to identify and address the social and other needs of the family.

Editorial Contact
SoHanna Park Minami for EMQ FamiliesFirst
(916) 933-5296
sohanna@sohannapr.com

Kristine Austin
(408) 364-4029
kaustin@emqff.org

“We chose to work with HRC to ensure we are doing our part to actively welcome, affirm and support LGBT parents and families. We value what LGBT families have to offer our waiting children and want to see more LGBT foster and adoptive parents,” said Roberto Favela, vice president of Foster Care & Adoption Services at EMQ FamiliesFirst. “The seal itself is a symbol of our efforts and hopefully a visible sign to LGBT families of our commitment.”

“EMQ FamiliesFirst has made a commitment to strengthening the American family,” said Ellen Kahn, HRC’s Family Project Director and a social worker.  “We are pleased to welcome them into the community of child welfare organizations that are truly committed to creating more loving families by removing barriers to qualified LGBT adoptive parents.  It is wonderful that LGBT individuals and couples across California have a trusted resource to turn to when pursuing adoption.”

The “All Children – All Families” initiative, launched in 2007, promotes policies and practices that welcome LGBT foster and adoptive parents.  The program seeks to enhance LGBT cultural competence among child welfare professionals and educate LGBT people about opportunities to become foster or adoptive parents to waiting children.  To date, ACAF has over 60 participating agencies across the country, and has awarded 33 seals of recognition. More information about the initiative can be found at www.hrc.org/acaf.

WHAT:           HRC to honor EMQ FamliesFirst Foster and Adoption Services with  HRC All Children – All Families Seal of Recognition

WHEN:           Friday, February 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:         EMQ FamliesFirst - 251 Llewellyn Ave, Campbell, CA 95008

EMQ FamiliesFirst takes a state-of-the-art approach to children and youth with complex behavioral health challenges: we combine research-based behavioral health services (including evidence-based therapies and psychiatric services) with a family-centered effort to identify and address the social and other needs of the family. For more information on our programs, including Foster Care & Adoption Services, visit www.emqff.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.