Casa de Amparo

Casa de Amparo

Feb 29, 2000

Casa de Amparo was established in 1978 and incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) in August 1979. The mission is to provide shelter and a continuum of prevention and treatment services to abuse, abandonded, neglected and at-risk infants, children and teens and their families. In twenty years the programming at Casa has changed to match the perceived needs and evolving theory of what is most helpful and effective in assisting abused children and preventing the growth of child abuse. Economic conditions and financial support, public and private, have also impacted the quantity and breadth of services. Currently Casa is in a period of creative growth and expansion of much needed services.

The primary program at Casa is the Crisis Center, which provides emergency shelter to over 175 children each year. The Center is housed on the grounds of the historic San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside. It is the north county destination for the majority of children who are taken into custody by socail workers and law enforcement officials. Children, aged 3 days to 18 years, stay in the Crisis Center residence from 1 day to over a year. The philosophy of staff and volunteers is to do all that is possible to meet each child's individual needs and to make up for lost time in areas of development, treatment and nurturing. Many have been deprived of the most basic medical care, hygiene, social skills and opportunities to develop physical motor skills and academic abilities. Often the older children have needs that have gone unattended for many years.

Today the services provided to children in the Crisis Center are extensive. For those who stay 30 days or more, a full assessment of physical,
psychological and academic strengths and weaknesses is provided to the Court which makes the decisions regarding the child's permanent living situation upon departure from Casa.

While living at Casa the children participate in a full schedule of individual, group and art therapy as well as educational groups to build skills in decision-making, stress and anger management, life and social skills, health and hygiene, effective communication and goal setting. They participate in music, dance and attend cultural events in the community. On-site preschool, elementary and secondary classrooms focus on the multiple levels of academic need. Staff work closely with the County Office of Education to develop Independent Education Programs tailored to each school age child. A seperate Reading Teacher provides one on one instruction to those who are behind. Weekly recreation, including swimming, fitness, games, sports, camping trips, community outings and parties occur. In the midst of all this, the staff play "tooth fairy", attend to emotional upsets, treat typical childhood illnesses, manage the court appearances and the bad dreams. They challenge and support the children to do their very best and be survivors of a life circumstance which they did not create.

At a seperate site, the Casa Child Development Center provides free daycare to families with children from 3 days to 5 years. These children are at risk of abuse, due to their home situation or exposure to domestic violence. Many of the parents are single, without support networks, and are attending school or rebuilding their lives through other means. While participating in the program, parents are required to attend counseling, parenting education and support groups. While children attend school, clinical staff work with parents to understand their children's and their own needs and to create linkages to the community for support.

Through foundation support, Casa recently added a needed Aftercare Program that takes services beyond a child's stay. Both parents and children receive educational in-home services. Services include emotional support, proper discipline, budget management and medical care which is needed to prevent repeated abuse, a return to substance or out of home care.

The support of private individuals, corporations and foundations is critical to the provision of these life-saving programs. Casa de Amparo programs provide a crucial opportunity to alter the course of many young lives, parents and parents of the future. The staff, program and volunteers at Casa build hope, esteem and self worth in the children and families they serve. The success of these individuals eventually benefit all of us.

Private support provides 35% of the operating funds for the Casa de Amparo programs. While government funding covers the cost of the shelter, 24-hour supervisory staff and routine medical services, the education and clinical staff and the services they provide are funded by contributions. The items many families take for granted such as transportation, recreation and speical needs such as contact lenses, party shoes, school pictures, swim lessons and Halloween costumes are provided through community support. A large part of the human caring and professional treatment needed to heal life's traumas is made possible through private support. Thanks for supporting Casa's efforts.

Sharon Delphenich
Executive Director