Description:

The UCSF/ZSFG Infant Child & Adolescent Psychiatry’s (ICAP) mental health programs (Infant Parent Program, IPP; Child & Adolescent Services, CAS) have 30 yrs of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, empirically supported mental health services for children, youth and families with Medi-Cal insurance. Dr. Marina Tolou-Shams, ICAP Director, has 10+ yrs of gender-responsive clinical and research expertise with justice-involved girls. The UCSF ICAP Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health (JJBH) team partners with 1) Center for Gender and Justice to deliver and evaluate VOICES, a gender-responsive trauma-informed group intervention for justice-involved girls ages 12-24 to foster healthy connections and increase self-esteem/self-efficacy and 2) the Art of Yoga Project (AYP), a Bay Area non-profit with 10+ yrs centered on promoting self-awareness, self-respect and self-regulation to 6,000+ at-risk, incarcerated and exploited girls in the Bay Area by using a gender-responsive, holistic, evidence-based approach of yoga and creative arts. All gender-responsive services utilize 1) a trauma-informed approach, as the “typical” girl has higher rates of trauma, abuse and neglect than her male peers; 2) relational theory, as complex trauma often involves disrupted caregiver attachments and difficulty forming healthy connections and 3) creation of positive relationships for healing and well-being. ICAP’s case management and mental health services include: 1) centralized referral and triage; 2) intake assessment; 3) treatment plan development; 4) individual, dyadic, group and/or family intervention; 5) psychometric testing/evaluation; 6) collateral; 7) case management; 7) peer support; 8) psychiatric assessment and med. support services; 9) crisis intervention; 10) outreach/consultation services. Referred justice-involved girls will have access to all services onsite at ZSFG, within their homes and/or other community locations. ICAP is comprised of dedicated, multidisciplinary and multicultural UCSF clinicians, case managers and support staff. ICAP JJBH staff have extensive training and experience working with justice-involved girls in their homes and communities and in meeting girls “where they are.” Services are available from early morning to evenings to accommodate girls and families. VOICES is an 18 session group of 6-8 girls each, held weekly (90 mins) and runs concurrently based on referrals. AYP will provide two (1-hr) classes per week to referred girls. Classes include instruction by specially trained yoga and art educators in character development, health education, yoga practice, meditation, breathing, self-regulation, and creative expression, designed to teach girls pro-social skills, emotional regulation, and healthy alternatives to self-destructive behavior.