Preventing childhood trauma.
Healing children and families.

calm provides pioneering trauma-informed services and evidence-based practices that are centered on the strengths of our clients. By interrupting intergenerational cycles of trauma, we are changing the fabric of our community.

WHO WE ARE

calm is a community-based nonprofit mental health agency serving Santa Barbara County

The people behind calm

Our compassionate staff and dedicated volunteers share a vision of supporting every family in our community so that every child thrives.

Meet Our Team

OUR PROGRAMS

What we do

Family hugging

Preventing Childhood Trauma

Great Beginnings: Prevention & Early Intervention

Teenage boy looking out of window

Healing Children and Families

Trauma Treatment

Learn About Our Work

Our impact

Strengthening our community, one family at a time.

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Impact Reports

MORE INFORMATION

Download our brochure

Our brochure is available in English and Spanish.

HISTORY

From a single phone line for distressed parents to a countywide leader in mental health

calm’s celebrated history is an integral part of who we are today – a leader in developing a variety of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, evidence-based programs and services.

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FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

calm is committed to transparency

Look through our Impact Reports and Financials to learn more about how we operate.

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SUPPORT CALM

Contribute to a future where every family is supported and every child thrives

By supporting our mission, you create a positive ripple effect on the lives of children and families in our community for generations.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about calm.

What services do you provide?

We provide a continuum of care including include individual therapy, home visitation, parenting classes, postpartum support, group therapy and support, and mental health consultation in early education settings.

What are the most common issues you treat?

Domestic violence, neglect, anxiety, and depression…and in many cases, a combination of these. However, every client is unique and each situation involves a custom treatment plan to address goals related to behavior, mental health, and building positive relationships.
78% of our admitted clients are in prevention programs, while 22% are in treatment programs.

How long does a client typically receive services?

The average span of services from intake to graduation is 6-10 months. Progress is measured by treatment goals, and clients do not graduate until they have met treatment goals.

How old are your clients?

We serve clients prenatally through age 21 AND their families (siblings, parents, caregivers, guardians). While we primarily serve individual children, we also consider the family and community as our clients.

How are you financed?

Annually, about two-thirds of our support is received from government funding and one-third of our support is from private contributions.

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are incredibly common and include 10 specific types of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect (physical, emotional), or household challenges (mental illness, domestic violence, incarceration, divorce, substance abuse) experienced before the age of 18. Individuals with four or more ACEs are twice as likely to have a stroke, cancer, or heart disease; and 37 times more likely to attempt suicide. The prevalence of ACEs has been declared a public health crisis in California.

What does calm stand for?

calm stands for children and families.
calm stands for healing and resilience.
calm stands for clinical excellence.
calm stands for creating and fostering meaningful relationships throughout the community.
calm stands for social change and community impact.
calm is no longer an acronym. It is a standalone name that perfectly fits our mission and goals: cultivating calm children, calm families, and calm communities.