"Carpinteria Cares for Youth organization was instrumental in implementing the Carpinteria Unified School District START collaborative composed of Carpinteria Cares for Youth,  school administrators, Council of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Family Service Agency, and County of Santa Barbara Mental Health. This initial collaboration enabled the Safe Schools Initiative Grant received by CUSD to easily assimilate more members and take this group to a larger community audience. Carpinteria Cares for Youth continues to be an important partner in the schools district's efforts to provide students with necessary mental health services and education, drug and alcohol abuse education and services, youth service programs,  violence prevention activities, and parent education programs."

Sharon Velarde
Project Director, Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative,
Carpinteria Unified School District

CARPINTERIA YOUTH PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

START  After months of brainstorming and working with individuals and agencies Carp Cares For Youth approached the County of Santa Barbara seeking assistance to address the lack of needed mental health services in the community. A school-based program was initiated in 2007 under the supervision of County Alcoholism, Drug and Mental Health Services and is operated by CADA (Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) and FSA (Family Service Agency. START – Support, Treatment, Advocacy and Referral Team work at each CUSD school and START staff are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists or Interns. Referrals to START are made by parents, teachers and principals. Services are provided during and after school hours to address issues that affect children's mental, intellectual and physical development. It has been rated as one of the most effective programs by principals and staff.

FLA (Future Leaders of America) works at Carpinteria High School under the capable leadership of Gaby Rodriguez. The development of FLA clubs on school campuses works in two ways; first, it is an avenue where students can practice their leadership skills by addressing issues affecting their particular schools; and, secondly it serves as a support system for FLA participants in their educational endeavors. Students provide guidance to younger students in terms of college requirements, deadlines for testing, scholarship opportunities and academic achievement. Students also participate in statewide leadership training opportunities available to all FLA members statewide. FLA at CHS has been involved in numerous efforts with an enthusiastic group of young women who gain valuable leadership skills. For the past 2 years, FLA in Carpinteria has spear headed the youth component of the Service-Learning Institute at Carpinteria.  They are currently working on having a University Seminar at Cal Berkeley in November and students have designed a leadership conference for middle school students at Carpinteria Middle School for the past two years. FLA is currently expecting to have this conference in the Spring 2011. For more information visit the FLA website  

TEEN COURT is a county-wide diversion program operated by CADA for youth who have committed a first-time misdemeanor offense. Youth can avoid a criminal record while still being held accountable for their actions. All functions of Teen Court are carried out by teens. Sentences include jury duty, community service, counseling and education classes. Teen Court takes place once a month at the Carpinteria Council Chambers and works closely with law enforcement agencies, the school district and counselors. Earn community service hours for your participation. Contact Ed Cue at (805) 963-1433.

Other CADA programs in Carpinteria are CL/Fighting Back Mentor Program, Daniel Bryant (counseling for teens with drug & alcohol issues at MFRC), Parent Program, Club Live/Friday Night Live, and Youth Services Specialist (counseling at Carpinteria High and Carpinteria Middle schools), SUPER Program (Substance Use Prevent & Education Resource), Substance Abuse Treatment Services (SATS), Prevention Education (Too Good for Drugs), and Reconnecting Youth.

Here are the phone numbers and contact information for these programs:

Parent Program (805) 963-1433  parentprogram@cadasb.org
Mentor Program (805) 963-1433 mentorprogram@cadasb.org
START (805) 730-7575 startprogram@cadasb.org 
Substance Abuse Treatment Services (805) 730-7575  carptx@cadasb.org 
SUPER Program (805) 735-7575  super@cadasb.org

 For more information visit the CADA website.

TEEN EXTREMA! is a summer program of classes for Carpinteria youth organized by Carp Cares, in conjunction with many local organizations and funded through the City of Carpinteria. Classes have included sports reporting, Beauty Inside & Out, Collage, Drawing , multi- media classes, math classes, modern dance classes all taught by professionals who volunteer much time and energy to the program.  

Download Carpcares Summer Program - Summer 2011 Teen Extrema! Schedule in English & Spanish.   

JOB SKILLS WORKSHOP is conducted each April at CHS in conjunction with the Career Center. Local employers speak about job opportunities, skills that are important and what their field has to offer. Handouts on interview skills, lists of local employers and contact information, and community service opportunities are distributed. The City Manager and at least one other employer conduct mock interviews with the students.

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL has recently been formed by Carp Cares For Youth. The purpose of the Youth Council is to brainstorm and determine youth issues, future teen activities and events, and involvement in local community efforts. The members will make two presentations a year to the Carpinteria City Council. It is an opportunity for youth to be heard and to get involved in local issues. Contact 453-0461 or info@carpcares.org for meeting times and locations.