TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution expressing support for the Guidance Center and calling upon the Southern California State and Federal Legislative Delegation to support efforts to preserve funding for services provided by the Guidance Center; and direct City Manager to communicate the City’s desire to preserve funding for the Guidance Center to our legislative delegation.
DISCUSSION
The Guidance Center has a unique history in providing services to Long Beach since 1946 when a pioneering group of school teachers and counselors established a not-for-profit center called the Greater Long Beach Child Guidance Center to address learning disabilities and other often misunderstood behavioral problems of school children. Prior to establishment of the GLBCGC, virtually no research or efforts were made to address learning disabilities or behavioral problems of school children which often resulted in a lack of educational opportunities, stigmatization, and the worsening of problems that could have otherwise been easily treated through early intervention.
Currently, The Guidance Center serves as a major community mental health service provider employing more than 150 mental health professionals, support staff, administrators, and interns. The Guidance Center provides services to school children and families at six sites within Long Beach and surrounding communities. The Guidance Center consistently partners with government agencies working within and outside of the City. Examples of this not-for-profit partnership with government agencies includes The Guidance Center staffing over 20 schools within the Long Beach Unified School District with mental health professionals and support staff to assist school children.
The Guidance Center is also utilized for child mental health support by local law enforcement agencies such as the Long Beach Police Department. The Guidance Center is often times a resource of last resort, without which, low-...
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