Casa Pacifica

Welcome, Rocky! https://twitter.com/ABC7/status/1506436327381745667 …

(9/9) Thanks to the hard work of the NPS staff, Casa Pacifica is able to provide a safe, relationship-based, therapeutic and academically enriching environment with a focus on personalized academic interventions that help kids like Austin achieve success.

(8/9) “He has a very good sense of humor, and we are all going to miss him when he graduates,” Annie Elberg, NPS Educational Liaison. Austin plans on attending Oxnard College after he graduates from Casa Pacifica. He wants to go into the IT field and work on computers.

(7/9) “[Austin] is a completely different kid than when he first came to the NPS. With the efforts of his music teachers Jill and Tom, along with his clinicians, he has matured into a typical high school senior.

(6/9) At the end of the day, it was a struggle to get him on the bus. Austin slowly came out of his shell and engaged in music class, and now plays piano, guitar, and ukulele. He recently coordinated food distribution to over 230 families as part of his Eagle Scout project.

(5/9)Austin (*name changed for privacy) is preparing to graduate in June after 7 years at the NPS. Austin came to the NPS through a SELPA referral. When he first arrived, he struggled with staying on task and regulating his emotions.

(4/9) In addition to providing students with a safe, relationship-based, therapeutic and academically enriching environment, NPS also uses evidence-based practices to teach skills and equip students with self-confidence, positive character traits, and problem-solving strategies.

(3/9) These kids are referred by county agencies like Human Services and Probation. Students attending NPS are challenged with issues like learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral issues, and other health impairments.

(2/9) A majority of students are day students, referred by their school districts (also known as SELPA referrals); the other students live at Casa Pacifica and attend NPS as part of the Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP).

(8/8) Mason is on track to reunite with his family at home in a few months. They have worked hard during their family therapy sessions and are communicating more openly and authentically, slowly rebuilding trust.

(7/8) “He understands that we’re invested in him and just want the best for him,” – Amanda Martinez, Recreation Therapy Program Supervisor.

(6/8)“Mason is the best kind of kid to work with, he’s so eager to try things. Even when he has reservations, he responds so well to the support he’s given and he embraces the experience.”

(5/8) In Rec Therapy, Mason thrived embracing new experiences: grooming horses at Stepping Stones Ranch, learning to surf with the MeWater Foundation, and staying open-minded in general to any and all activities.

(4/8) In individual therapy, Mason was able to explore his thoughts in a non-judgmental way and find his unique voice. He became a leader in his cottage and encouraged others to "embrace the process."

(3/8) When Mason first arrived at Casa Pacifica he struggled with suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, and poor hygiene. Despite his struggles, Mason was still willing to participate in individual and recreational therapy.

(2/8) Youth in the STRTP can also be referred by other county agencies and usually stay 9-12 months. Mason had been psychiatrically hospitalized multiple times and was dealing with difficult family dynamics which were also affecting his ability to concentrate in school.