In the News

Markesia Huey spent 13 years in and out of prison. She said she walked the streets as a prostitute and used drugs. She didn't want to deal with the difficulties of just making a living, and felt relief when she was sent back to prison because life was easier to handle behind bars. But then she went to Casa Aurora, the Female Rehabilitative Community Correctional Center in east Bakersfield that offers treatment services, counseling and more than 30 classes a week.

“Mom, can I play video games?” asked the ten-year-old boy. “It’s time for your homework now, but after you finish that you can play,” his mother answered. Hair tousled and eyes clear, he took his mother’s words in stride. She remembered the days, only months before, when a simple refusal or request could send him into a rage, screaming and throwing anything in arms distance. When she and her son first came to Mental Health Systems’ (MHS) Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) she had no idea how to handle his outbursts.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and Mental Health Systems, Inc. (MHS) hosted an open-house for a groundbreaking program to rehabilitate female offenders on Tuesday, December 7. CDCR and MHS collaboratively operate the program, known as Casa Aurora located in Bakersfield. It is the only Female Rehabilitation Community Correctional Center (FRCCC) in California, and is the first program of its type in the nation.

Myrtle Cassell knows there are not enough services available to people raising their grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, sister, or brother.

Which is why Cassell and a support staff of three are working to spread the word about Ontario-based Helping Hands Kinship Support Services.

The organization has been offering support groups, parent education classes, social activities and youth programs to Kinship families since 2008, she said.

 We are pleased to announce that Patricia Alvarado has been named our MHS Employee of the Year! Patricia has been working with MHS for 3 years as the Lead Counselor at East County Center for Change (ECCFC). Patricia goes above and beyond, contributing her own time and resources to build a welcoming and supportive environment for the clients served there. Her dedication to improving their lives is demonstrated each and every day.

Mental Health Systems’ South County Center for Change will hold its 38th Drug Court Graduation at 5:30 p.m. on August 3rd, at the Chula Vista Memorial Bowl, located at 373 Park Way in Chula Vista.

One of Mental Health Systems’ four highly successful San Diego County Drug Court programs, South County Center for Change has been in operation since 1997. During its thirteen years of operation, the program has had more than 800 successful graduates.

The 3^rd Annual Youth Summit took place on Wednesday, June 23^rd at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Organized and hosted by MHS Caring Helpers Leadership Training program in partnership with the San Diego Commission on Gang Intervention and Prevention, the theme of this year’s summit was “Embracing Diversity.”

 We’re very happy to announce that our very own Director of HR, Pamela Ross, is a finalist for San Diego’s HR Professional of the Year Award! The award will be granted by the San Diego Business Journal at their annual award ceremony on June 17^th.  All of us at MHS know that Pam provides exemplary service to all of our agency’s employees and programs, as well as to her department staff.

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director, Gil Kerlikowske will deliver the keynote address at the first county-wide drug court graduation ceremony, which will be held on May 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. As the Nation’s sixth “Drug Czar,” Mr. Kerlikowske coordinates all facets of Federal drug control programs, as well as the implementation of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. Hosted by Mental Health Systems, Inc.