North County CAT – MHS | Mental Health Systems

Our Community Assessment Team (CAT) is a voluntary program that provides services for the entire family. We offer assessment, as well as providing strength-based groups for youth, and parenting classes for parents. CAT Plus has an additional component that focuses on pregnancy prevention and STD awareness. Alternatives to Detention (ATD) is a family support program which offers counseling, case management, and cool bed services, with the goal of keeping low-risk juvenile offenders out of Juvenile Hall. Our WINGS (Working to Insure and Nurture Girl’s Spirit) team provides specialized services for female youth at risk of entering the justice system.

Program Services

Our family centered outpatient services include:

Strength based assessment
Individual, family and group counseling
Case management
Crisis intervention
Medication evaluation and monitoring
Referrals and linkage to numerous community resources and providers

In addition, our CAT Plus program offers specific decision making curriculum with a focus on pregnancy prevention and STD awareness.

Eligibility Requirements

We serve school aged youth who are at risk of entering the justice system; struggling in school; associating with gangs; and/or experiencing anger management issues. We also serve families struggling with how to help their children make the right decisions. Probation must approve participation in the WINGS program.

Referrals

Children and youth may come to us through self-referral, or they may be referred by school or law enforcement, community based agencies, or the probation department.

More Information

For more information about North County CAT, please call (760) 747-0205.