Program Purpose:

To provide comprehensive counseling and case management services to children up to age twenty-one, who have full-scope Medi-Cal in Santa Cruz County.

History:

First Step was created in 2004 through a contract with Santa Cruz County Mental Health Services under the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program to provide "wrap-around" services to children with Medi-Cal. The program provides services in Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

Service Description:

Designated counseling staff provide services to children and their families. Because Family Service Agency is a "gatekeeper" for the program, parents can call us directly. We also receive referrals from physicians, schools and community agencies. Children who are having problems at home or in school, appear depressed or anxious, are experiencing a transition like divorce or death in the family, or who are living in dysfunctional family situations are the target population for this service. Therapists work with the whole family, the child's school, the physician and other relevant people in the child's life. There is no cost for the services. Bilingual, bicultural staff in our Santa Cruz and Watsonville offices are sensitive to the needs of our Spanish speaking clients and their families.

Contact Information:

Address:

FSA Santa Cruz Office
104 Walnut Avenue #208
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

phone: 831-423-9504 x501
fax: 831-423-9532

FSA Watsonville Office
11-D Alexander St
Watsonville, CA 95076

phone: 831-728-9975 x201
fax: 831-728-9971

Staff:

Joanne Moy
Program Director
email: jmoy@fsa-cc.org

First Step:

Provee terapia extensa y servicios de administración de caso para menores de veinte años que tengan Medi-Cal completo. Contamos con un personal bilingüe y bicultural en nuestras oficinas de Santa Cruz y Watsonville que entienden las necesidades de nuestros clientes y sus familias. Además de sesiones semanales, su terapista también puede arreglar visitas a la escuela o casa del menor para así alcanzar las metas terapéuticas deseadas. A través del condado, nuestros servicios son recomendados a diversas familias, escuelas, y otras agencias.