Collaborative Programs for Richmond Youth

The Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau was created in 1984, by a group of concerned citizens that formed a grassroots movement to address the systemic causes of violence plaguing West Contra Costa County communities. By 1985 that movement, along with $90,000 in initial funding, gave birth to the formerly known West Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau (the Bureau): a family-centered nonprofit service agency providing quality programs to aid eligible children, youth, and families. The Bureau consolidated services independently offered by the West County Unified School District, the County Probation Department, municipal and county law enforcement agencies, and local community-based organizations.

By coordinating the efforts of these agencies, the Bureau developed an innovative Wraparound Process that has been widely acclaimed as the most effective way to address the needs of Medi-Cal eligible children and families in crisis. The process entails assessing community consensus, setting collective priorities, and addressing needs by integrating existing services. The Bureau also promotes a team-based Best Practices Model which urges participation from those important in the child and family’s life. Supported by the Bureau’s belief that clients are “asset laden” as opposed to “deficit burdened,” each client’s goal is to achieve success within their family, in school and in the larger community. In just over 35 years, the Bureau has leveraged its unique process, model ad client successes to grow into a 4.4 million organization with 45 staff members, 3 sites and more than 70 collaborative partners. Under the leadership of Kimberly Cantanzano, Executive Director and a dedicated 9-member Board of Directors, the Bureau fills an important leadership void by improving the coordination of services to children, youth, and families, who are grappling with a variety of disadvantages. The Bureau empowers families to overcome difficult challenges that many cannot handle themselves while cultivating inter-agency collaboration and providing a seamless range of services.

The Bureau works in collaboration with other agencies to provide the following services across a wide spectrum of needs from aiding children with mental health disabilities to helping youth who are transitioning out of probation and foster care:

Assessment
Individual, Group, and family Counseling
Crisis Intervention
Case Management/Consultation
Respite Services for Caregivers
Referrals to Other Agencies/Services

For more information on CCYSB programs go to: wccysb.org/programs

Across all services and programs, the Bureau’s staff is spearheaded by Mrs. Cantazano and a 12-member Management Team including administrative and program leaders that goes above and beyond the call of duty to build trust,  treat clients with dignity and respect and collaboratively create positive solutions. This level of care has allowed the Bureau to become part of each client’s extended family garnering close connections and a strong reputation, especially in Contra Costa County.