Community Youth Academy  

Wichita Child Guidance Center - GROUPS 

Client Stories  

United Way National Web Site 
 
 

* Mission: The Center's mission is to improve the quality of life for troubled children, teens and families through outpatient psychiatric and psychological counseling services. 100 percent of United Way dollars support the provision of outpatient services to troubled children and families.  

1919: Fresh Air Baby Camp  

1930: Wichita Child Research Laboratory  

1941: Wichita Guidance Center  

1993: Wichita Child Guidance Center (official addition of "Child" to name)  

1996: A second facility, located at 2627 E. Central, houses Administration & Community-Based Programs 

* Staff Composition: 15 clinicians (full- & part-time psychologists & social workers) Full-time Medical Director/Psychiatrist Full-time Clinical Director/Licensed PhD Psychologist Full-time ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) 3 Case Managers 35 Attendant Care Providers and 2 Program Staff 14 Therapeutic Foster Families & 3 Program Staff 3 Predoctoral Psychology Interns 1 Social Work Student  

* Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program (WCPIP), est. 1971. Four predoctoral psychology students participate in a rigorous one-year practicum. Interns attend staff meetings, provide counseling services to clients, facilitate educational and/or therapeutic groups and classes. The Wichita Child Guidance Center is the oldest (1957) APA-approved training site in the country, and in 1996 celebrated its 25th anniversary as a member of the Collaborative.  

* OUTPATIENT SERVICES: A full range of services including individual, family and group therapy, psychological evaluation, child custody evaluation, parent-child assessment, sexual abuse assessment, psychiatric assessment and medication management.  

* ATTENDANT CARE (est.1992): Designed as part of a wrap-around system of care to maintain seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) children in their homebased community. A specially trained Attendant is matched 1:1 with an SED youth, and provides supportive services that enable the child to participate in typical home, school and community based activities.  

* CARING CONNECTION (est.1987): A Therapeutic Foster Care program based on the belief that seriously troubled youth may best be served in a family home setting. Specially trained foster families, the youth's natural parents, and a team of multidisciplinary professionals work together to create a warm, supportive environment for the youth. The goal is to prepare for successful reintegration of the youth into his/her original family, or to live independently when s/he reaches the age of majority.  

* CASE MANAGEMENT (est.1995): Six Case Managers coordinate community resources to tailor services for children and adolescents diagnosed as severely emotionally disturbed (SED), and whose families are experiencing the disruptive effects of this behavior disorder.  

* CHILDREN OF DIVORCE WORKSHOP (est.1979; Court ordered in 1986): A four hour, Court mandated educational program for divorcing couples who have filed a divorce petition in Sedgwick County and who have minor age children still living in the home. According to program statistics, approximately 4,000 children are affected annually by their parents' divorce.  

* SCHOOL-BASED THERAPY (est.1992): Clinicians housed at Lincoln Elementary Healthy Child Center and Project Bridge provide improved access to mental health services, are less disruptive of students' educational requirements, ease burden on parents trying to arrange transportation between the therapy session and the school, and fosters therapist/educator communication.  

Sara Lloyd, Chair Ron Alberti, Co-Chair Rodney Lowe, Chair-Elect Susan Sheets, Secretary James Gates, Treasurer  

BOARD MEMBERS 

• Carol Bacon, Judge, 18th Judicial District, Division III 
• Charles Cox, Community Volunteer 
• Craig Estep, Cessna Aircraft Company 
• Judy Hooper, Community Volunteer 
• Carolyn Keener, Community Volunteer
• Jackie Nagle, Community Volunteer 
• Pat O'Donnell, Via Christi Health System
• Russ Oliver, NationsBank 

John Roper, Attorney