Family & Individual Support Services

PHP assists individuals and families to be independent and empowers them to achieve a high quality of life. Seniors and other adults without school-age children can access services at PHP’s Solvang Service Center. PHP also has five Family Resource Centers (FRCs) at local school campuses.

Many individuals and families face challenges due to job loss, poor health, injury, death of a family member, spousal abuse, or substance abuse. Individuals, families, and especially children in these situations face enormous financial and mental stress potentially jeopardizing their physical and mental well-being. PHP staff works to develop a “strengths based” plan to overcome these difficulties. The goal is to stabilize families experiencing hardships with a plan that weaves together provision of PHP services, links to help from other agencies, and on-going case management assistance and support, as long as necessary, from a PHP Family Services Advocate.

At some time, parents experience difficulty in coping with the stress of child rearing. Help is available for parents experiencing feelings of ongoing anger or feel that they are unable to properly care for the day to day needs of their child or children. PHP can assist by providing support, education, counseling and basic needs services. There are no income eligibility requirements. PHP also furnishes services upon referral from S.B. County Child Welfare Services for individuals who could benefit from assistance.

PHP offers “Nurturing Parenting,” an evidenced-based parent and child support program. This curriculum provides information about child development and positive parenting and is designed to improve the relationships between parents and children.

The Under One Roof Senior Services Program goals are to permit seniors to maintain independence as long as possible, live a healthy high quality of life, and retain their desired residence. Specific s services are intended as wrap-around assistance to meet the basic needs of aging seniors who are often low income and suffering from poor physical and mental health and financial hardships. PHP is able to assist seniors to reduce food insecurity via its own food distribution programs and enrollment in CalFresh; prevent homelessness, to help access low cost or free medical, dental, and mental health wellness care, connect with other seniors, and to obtain referrals to additional services such as in-home, respite, and memory care. Initial contact may be based upon agency referrals or self-referral. Home visits may be conducted and transportation, if needed, is provided for healthcare and other appointments.

PHP staff can assist individuals that may need assistance with translating or understanding a business or government form, may have healthcare questions, or require assistance in communicating with a child’s teacher or school administrator.

Domestic violence is defined as physical or emotional abuse of an intimate partner. The primary goals of PHP’s domestic violence prevention program, Advocates for Domestic & Child Abuse Prevention (ADCAP) are to reduce the current number of adults and children subjected to domestic violence and reduce the number of children who become victims or offenders as adults. Services are directed toward both intervention and prevention and include immediate comfort and support, medical attention, shelter, development of a safety plan, counseling, legal assistance, and help with basic needs.

A key component of the ADCAP program is the Emergency Response Team (ERT). Trained and certified volunteer or staff Advocates are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to Sherriff’s Department calls to a crime scene. Advocates furnish crisis intervention, advocacy, victim and family support, education and information for victims and their families. A PHP Advocate is also available during weekday business hours to furnish assistance. To make a confidential inquiry or to volunteer, contact Mayra Marquez at mayra@syvphp.org or 805-588-2495. ADCAP Emergency Response Team Volunteer Description

• PHP’s ADCAP Program has produced remarkable results for victims of domestic violence. During the past 15 years, PHP’s repeat incident rate has been less than five percent 5% annually.

For over 20 years, PHP has operated the Christmas Fulfill-A-Wish Program to provide the area’s most needy families, including 300 children, with holiday gifts, clothing, and toys. In order to avoid duplication, PHP partners with the Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” and is the distribution channel for toys donated and collected in the valley. Donated items, together with items purchased with contributions, are displayed in a holiday “boutique” style storefront opened and operated two to three days just prior to the holiday. Store space is donated. Families are selected based upon economic need and parents are allowed to select items based upon the size and needs of their family. In this way, we hope to maintain the dignity of families and empower parents as much as possible.

Volunteers decorate, stock, and operate the boutique under the supervision of PHP staff. To volunteer, contact Crystal Gama at crystal@syvphp.org or 805-686-0295 x100.