San Jose, Calif., December 10, 2008 - At the age of 16, "Carla" is like any typical teen girl who's interested in boys, looking nice and stylish and enjoying school and an active social life. However, two years ago, Carla's middle school counselor referred her to EMQ Children & Family Services because of her difficult and disruptive behavior, irritability and anger that she showed to her teachers and peers. She was referred to EMQ's Intensive Transition Services (ITS) program which provides therapeutic support services to youth and their families during periods of transition, with a special focus on assisting with educational needs and providing short-term mental health and stabilization services.

In Carla's young life, she has had her mother disappear and then her decomposed body found a year later; her grandmother and constant caregiver die; had over 10 people who served as her caregiver and experienced neglect, and verbal and physical abuse by her caregivers. She moved to California with her great aunt, Yvonne, and younger sister and tried to make a new life. However, she was unable to overcome her experiences and attempted suicide at 10, 11 and 13 years old.

EMQ's ITS team began meeting with Carla weekly to help her talk about her feelings and issues she was having. Yvonne was giving up hope and developed much anxiety over caring for Carla. Yvonne didn't know what to do or how to help her niece but was very hesitant to trust EMQ and participate in any of EMQ's services until she saw how the team helped not only Carla but their family of three. One year after Carla was referred to EMQ's ITS program, the family was referred to EMQ's Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) and Wraparound programs. TBS is a short-term support program designed to focus on changing a child's behavior, while emphasizing the child's strengths. This program works in collaboration with the child, the child's caregivers and the primary mental health provider to address 1 to 3 behaviors that jeopardize the child's ability to remain in his or her current home. Wraparound is a program that "wraps" a family with the necessary individualized, community-based services and supports to children and adolescents with serious emotional and/or behavioral disturbances so they can be reunited and/or remain with their families and communities.

Carla and her family were able to get therapy and guidance to help Carla work through her anger and trauma. Her great aunt, Yvonne, was able to develop new skills on how to hold expectations for Carla while giving her the space to make correct choices for herself. The EMQ team also helped Yvonne learn that she could be Carla's strongest advocate and was able to seek the appropriate education services to help Carla succeed including getting Carla re-evaluated and having her special education status changed. Carla learned to identify and verbalize her needs appropriately and has taken an interest in school--improving her grades to receive all A's and B's in her subjects. With her positive outlook and renewed family support, Carla has also learned to develop relationships with others and enjoys a good relationship with a new boyfriend as well as stronger and deeper relationships with her family. Carla graduated from the TBS program in April, 2008 and from the ITS program in November, 2008. The family is still receiving Wraparound services and continues to make progress in functioning as a loving and responsible family.

About EMQ

EMQ Children & Family Services helps kids in crisis. The private, nonprofit is nationally recognized for its innovative, family-centered programs that help children recover from issues such as severe depression, thoughts of suicide, or drug abuse. The private nonprofit helps more than 6,600 children and their family members every year through programs like Family Finding, Wraparound, support and educational services. Headquartered in Campbell, California, EMQ Children & Family Services has programs in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino and Santa Clara counties. More information on EMQ can be found at http://www.emqff.org. 

NOTE to editors: For photos, please contact SoHanna Minami at (408) 470-9420.

Editorial Contact:
SoHanna Park Minami
EMQ Children & Family Services
(408) 470-9420   sohanna@sohannapr.com