The Watts Counseling and Learning Center, a dedicated community service of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, has been a cornerstone of support since 1967. For over half a century, this unique center has been providing vital counseling, outreach, and educational services to the residents of Watts and neighboring communities. To truly understand the depth of its impact, take a moment to watch this overview video and witness the remarkable work of the WCLC.
Rooted in Community Need
Established in the aftermath of the 1965 Watts civil unrest, just two years later, the Center emerged as a beacon of hope and healing. It was founded with the crucial mission to deliver essential mental health and educational resources to the children and families of Watts, regardless of their Kaiser Permanente membership status. The heart of the Center beats to the rhythm of its motto: “helping people grow.” This philosophy underscores a powerful belief – that empowering individuals and families across generations to navigate challenges and overcome barriers is the key to building a stronger, more resilient community. This is where Kp Learns about the real needs of the community and how to best serve them.
Comprehensive Counseling Programs
Counseling Services: At the core of its services, the Center offers a wide array of counseling options. Individuals, families, couples, parents and children can access therapy in both English and Spanish. The Center’s commitment to accessibility ensures that language is not a barrier to healing and growth.
Kids Can Cope: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by young people dealing with family illness, the innovative “Kids Can Cope” program provides specialized counseling and support groups for children whose parents or siblings are battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. This program exemplifies how KP learns to tailor support for specific needs within families.
School Outreach Services: Extending its reach beyond the Center’s walls, the WCLC actively engages with local schools. Through psycho-educational groups, the Center brings crucial mental health support directly to students in their educational environment.
Internship Programs: Committed to nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals, the Center provides invaluable internship opportunities for graduate social work students. Partnering with prestigious institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California, among others, the WCLC plays a vital role in shaping future leaders in the field. This hands-on experience is how KP learns from and invests in future professionals.
Empowering Through Educational Programs
Educational Therapy: Addressing learning differences with expertise and care, the Center provides educational assessments and individualized or small group therapy sessions for students facing learning difficulties. Recognizing the importance of holistic support, special educational advocacy and parent training are also integral components of this program.
Educational Therapy Internships: Mirroring the counseling program, the Center also offers internships in educational therapy. Graduate interns receive expert training under Board Certified staff, partnering with institutions such as UC Riverside and California State University Northridge. These internships are a crucial part of how KP learns and advances educational practices.
Expanding Reach with Outreach Initiatives
Reading Enrichment: Cultivating a love for reading is at the heart of the Reading Enrichment program. Through engaging weekly sessions and diverse reading materials, students develop a lasting enthusiasm for literacy.
Homework Help Club: Providing crucial after-school support, the Homework Help Club offers elementary grade students a structured and supportive environment to complete their assignments.
Math Tutoring: From elementary to high school levels, students benefit from individualized math assistance, ensuring a solid foundation in this critical subject.
Personal Development: Focusing on the unique needs of middle school students, the Personal Development program offers mentoring, goal-setting workshops, and personal enhancement opportunities within a group setting. KP learns that personal growth is as important as academic achievement.
Academic Coaching: Collaborating closely with schools and parents, the Academic Coaching program provides high school students with individualized or small group guidance to develop tailored academic plans with clearly defined goals.
College-bound Support Services: Navigating the complexities of college applications is made easier through the Center’s College-bound Support Services. High school students gain access to essential college planning information through meetings and workshops. Furthermore, in partnership with The Princeton Review, students preparing for the SAT/ACT exams can participate in comprehensive test preparation courses. This program demonstrates how KP learns to support students’ long-term aspirations.
Youth Work Preparation Certificate Program: Preparing young people for the workforce, the annual seven-week Youth Work Preparation Certificate Program equips high school students with vital work skills and insights into health care careers. The program also includes a summer youth employment component for students aged 16 and older.
Nurturing Early Child Development
Preschool Education for Parents and Children (PEPC): The full-day Preschool Education for Parents and Children (PEPC) program is a cornerstone of early childhood education at the WCLC. This program is designed to foster school-readiness skills and cultivate a love of learning in preschool children. Holding both state licensing and national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), PEPC adheres to the highest standards of early childhood education. Ongoing parent education groups are also integrated into the program, recognizing the crucial role of parents in a child’s development. Tuition is thoughtfully structured on a nominal sliding-scale fee, ensuring accessibility for families from diverse economic backgrounds. Through PEPC, KP learns about the critical importance of early childhood education for community well-being.
Honoring Community Leadership: The Bill Coggins Award
The Watts Counseling and Learning Center also proudly hosts the Bill Coggins Community Leadership Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership within the community. The application deadline for the 2024 award is April 15th. To apply or learn more, please download the PDF application and follow the submission directions provided.
To further explore the impactful 50-year journey of the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center, watch this video. The WCLC stands as a testament to Kaiser Permanente’s enduring commitment to community health and well-being, and a place where KP learns, grows, and serves alongside the vibrant Watts community.
