Western Youth Services

November is Gratitude Month and The HUB is grateful for our readers and the opportunity to share information to advance youth mental health and wellbeing. This month's edition covers how to practice more gratitude in your life, links to free trainings and events, videos for parents to help navigate tough life topics, a new, free youth mental health app, support for post-election stress, and more! Check it out here: https://conta.cc/4fvACwA

We’re excited to partner with NAMI Orange County to offer free mental health training, focusing on de-escalation tactics and staff wellness best practices for both traditional and non-traditional First Responders through our Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Since launching in 2020, we’ve trained over 6,748 first responders! ?? This year, we’re proud to announce that our 40-hour CIT course has received POST approval for Law Enforcement. Together, we’re creating a safer community. ?? Visit https://bit.ly/wyscit for more information or to register for an upcoming training event. Pro tip: We highlight our CIT training dates every Monday for the upcoming week! Follow along on all our socials to be in-the-loop on these free training opportunities.

Our Annual Toy Drive is underway, and we’re thrilled to see so many generous donations of new, unwrapped toys for the children of Orange County! ?? If you’ve been considering participating but aren’t sure what to donate, we’ve got you covered! Here's a list of ideas and options. Please ensure all toys are new, safe, and suitable for various age groups to maximize their impact! You can mail or drop off your donations at our WYS Corporate Office: 23461 South Pointe Drive, Suite 220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. We also are accepting donation drop offs at any one of our clinic locations: ?? 222 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 650, Anaheim, CA 92805 ?? 200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 801, Santa Ana, CA 92701 ?? 3631 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701 ?? 26137 La Paz Rd., Suite 230, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 ?? 18350 Mt. Langley St., Suite 220, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Prefer to shop online? Purchase toys through our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/wyswishlist ! Just a reminder, the last day for all donations is November 30th! Visit bit.ly/wystoydrive for more information. Let’s spread some joy this holiday season! ??

Are you a first responder in Orange County? Register for our upcoming CIT trainings this week! They are all no-cost, and you can attend as many as you like. ?? November 18: De-Escalation: Suicidal Subjects, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ?? November 18: Situational Awareness, 2 PM - 3 PM ?? November 18: De-Escalation Focusing on Mood Disorders, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM ?? November 19: Trauma Informed Care, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM ?? November 19: Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and PTSD, 10 AM - 11 AM ?? November 20: Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and PTSD, 8 AM - 9 AM ?? November 21: De-Escalation Focusing on Mood Disorders, 8 AM - 9 AM ?? November 22: Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and PTSD, 7 AM - 8 AM ?? November 22: Situational Awareness, 8 AM - 9 AM For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gcbMN7AV Collaborative Partner: OC Health Info

Remember to register for our upcoming SBHIP trainings & virtual support sessions this week! ?? 11.18.24 from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Resilient Brain ?? 11.19.24 from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Educator Empowerment Hour: Virtual Support Sessions ?? 11.19.24 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Creating Safe Schools and Communities for LGBTQIA+ Students They are all no-cost, and you can attend as many as you like. For more information and to pre-register, visit https://bit.ly/SBHIPEvents Collaborative Partner: CalOptima Health

Remember to register for our upcoming BHTC training this week! ?? 11.18.24 from 9 AM - 4:30 PM - WYS - Adult Mental Health First Aid ?? 11.20.24 from 9 AM - 10 AM - WYS - What is Mental Health? ?? 11.20.24 from 11 AM - 1 PM - WYS - The S Word: Talking About Suicide Prevention ?? 11.20.24 from 12 PM - 2:30 PM - OMID - Social Media & Adolescents ?? 11.22.24 from 9 AM - 3 PM - WYS - Youth Mental Health First Aid ?? 11.22.24 from 2 PM - 4:30 PM - OMID - Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) ?? 11.22.24 from 4 PM - 5 PM - WYS - Resilience and Hope They are all no-cost, and you can attend as many as you like. For more information and to pre-register, visit https://bit.ly/ocbhtc Collaborative Partners: OC Health Info & OMID Multicultural Institute

Join our team at Western Youth Services! ? Here, you’ll find more than just a job; you’ll discover purposeful work rooted in shared values that unite us all. Our dedicated employees feel fulfilled knowing they’re making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. We’re committed to supporting individuals in achieving their personal best by offering opportunities and challenges that foster learning, contribution, and growth. Ready to make an impact? Apply today! ??

We can’t believe we’re already halfway through our Annual Toy Drive! ?? In Orange County, nearly 1 in 5 children live in poverty, making holiday gifts an extra challenge for many families (Orange County Community Indicators Report, 2023). This year, we’re dedicated to “Making the Season Bright for Every Child” by providing over 2,000 gifts to youth in need, but we still need your help to make this goal a reality! ?? Here’s how you can donate: ? Mail or Drop Off: Send your new, unwrapped toys to our WYS Corporate Office at 23461 South Pointe Drive, Suite 220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. ?? Amazon Wishlist: Choose from our curated list of gifts here: https://bit.ly/wyswishlist ?? Volunteer: We welcome volunteers to help sort, pick up, and distribute toys. Interested? Reach out at [email protected]! Thank you for considering a donation to our Annual Toy Drive, which helps bring joy to the children who need it most. Together, we can make this holiday season brighter for every child! ?? Please note that the last day to contribute is November 30th, 2024. Mark your calendars and help us spread some cheer! Visit bit.ly/wystoydrive for more info.

Western Youth Services is proud to be part of the ACT Collaborative! ?? The Accelerate Change Together (ACT) Anaheim initiative brings together businesses, community members, and nonprofit leaders to address the gaps in services for Anaheim youth. Through this collaboration, we provide essential support like our Access Coordination services, helping families find the best mental health services tailored to their needs. Our Access Coordinators are dedicated to supporting families every step of the way—from rapport building and screening to guidance, skill building, and overcoming barriers to care. We stay with families from the first contact until they receive the services they need, no matter how long it takes! ?? To learn more about the ACT Collaborative, visit https://lnkd.in/gCkaKpeh . To connect with our Access Coordination services, visit bit.ly/WYSonedoor.

?? Exciting news! 2 new on-demand trainings are now available through the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program (SBHIP)! ?? 1?? Chill Skills: Stress Busters for Youth Equip students with essential tools to manage stress. This course dives into stress causes, management techniques, and strategies like breathing exercises that can easily be integrated into daily life. 2?? Deep Dive into Mindfulness Discover the power of mindfulness with Exploring Mindfulness In & Outside the Classroom. Learn core concepts, scientific benefits, and practical strategies to foster mindfulness in classroom environments for emotional regulation, stress reduction, and improved focus. Ready to empower youth? Register for a free account and start today: https://bit.ly/SBHIP