Casa de la Paz

Casa de la Paz is a wonderful example of what public and private agencies can accomplish when they work together to meet community needs. Just over a year ago, in September of 2003, CPPA opened its first group home, Casa de la Paz, as a partnership with the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency (HSA) and the SJC Department of Mental Health. CPPA operates Casa de la Paz under an exclusive agreement with the county, accepting placements only from HSA and Mental Health, to meet the need for a local group home for girls with emotional and behavioral problems. Dave Erb, HSA's Deputy Director for Children's Services, has worked with CPPA from the beginning and is "pleased with the teamwork involved" at Casa.

Casa offers a last chance

Casa's program is somewhat different from most group homes. Although residents participate in a structured "levels" system, CPPA's youth development philosophy leads staff to create opportunities for residents to express their opinions and make their own decisions. The Casa model is not for everyone. Some youth choose not to stay. Others struggle to keep their balance between living within the limits that are set for them and learning to set limits for themselves. Most Casa residents have had multiple placements and are running out of options. Those who are unable to adjust may be placed in facilities far from their families' homes or may end up in a juvenile detention facility. Casa offers them a last chance.

Thinking outside the box

Kim Suderman, SJC Mental Health's Director of Children's Services, comments, "As a new program Casa has taken big steps to address county placement needs. We appreciate CPPA's willingness to take risks and to 'think outside the box.'" Not every experiment works, but CPPA is committed to extending its youth development philosophy to the group home setting. One resident described her Casa experience this way: "They gave me my rights back. I was given freedom of expression. They shaped a discipline policy for me and treated me like an individual."

One step at a time

CPPA's program at Casa has experienced both success and disappointment in its first year. One youth was able to move on to CPPA's Transitional Living Program; another has been reunited with her family. Deputy Director Erb noted that CPPA has "done a great job helping youth with the transition to permanent placements." Others never chose to stay and demonstrated their unhappiness by running away or acting out. Most residents take it a step at a time­as they learn to make better choices for themselves, they are given increased freedom.

A community effort

In addition to its partnership with public agencies, CPPA also relied on the support of its community to bring Casa from dream to reality. Thanks to everyone who pounded a nail, donated a dish or wrote a check to support this project. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of Casa's youth in a thousand little ways every single day.