CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF EASTERN VA INC D/B/A THE UP CENTER

AGENCY COUNSELING SERVICES (MENTAL HEALTH, SUD, AND HOUSING & FINANCIAL COUNSELING):THE UP CENTER PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF TRAUMA-INFORMED, EVIDENCE-BASED OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING SERVICES AND PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS. THESE SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDER-INSURED AND FACING SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHALLENGES. CLIENTS COME TO THE UP CENTER FOR SUPPORT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONCERNS, INCLUDING GRIEF AND LOSS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS, BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, SCHOOL AND WORKPLACE DIFFICULTIES, LIFE TRANSITIONS, GENDER IDENTITY, TRAUMA AND ABUSE RECOVERY, INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, CHRONIC RELAPSE, PTSD, LEGAL ISSUES TIED TO SUBSTANCE USE, PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, AND CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS.IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUALIZED COUNSELING AND RECOVERY SUPPORT, THE UP CENTER OFFERS A VARIETY OF PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL GROUP SESSIONS TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC NEEDS AND FOSTER PEER CONNECTION. THESE INCLUDE ANGER MANAGEMENT, BATTERER'S INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC OR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, FOR CHILDREN'S SAKE FOR CO-PARENTING SUPPORT, SUBSTANCE USE PEER RECOVERY FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN PEER SERVICES, SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY, A GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP, BECOMING ME, WHICH SUPPORTS LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMMUNITY, NO MATTER WHAT FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE, SOCIAL SKILLS AND AUTISM, AND BLOOM GROUP, WHICH FOCUSES ON BODY IMAGE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.THE AGENCY ALSO OPERATES THE STEPHEN A. COHEN MILITARY FAMILY CLINIC IN VIRGINIA BEACH, PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO POST-9/11 VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE REGARDLESS OF THE A VETERAN'S ROLE IN SERVICE, DISCHARGE STATUS, OR ABILITY TO PAY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE CLINIC SUPPORTED MORE THAN 664 CLIENTS ACROSS SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS.ACROSS ALL CLINICAL AND PEER SUPPORT TEAMS, THE UP CENTER DELIVERED 12,522 INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SESSIONS, 856 GROUP UNITS, AND 4,273 PEER RECOVERY UNITS IN FY 25, REACHING OVER 2,339 CLIENTS WITH OVER 80% REPORTING AN IMPROVEMENT IN FUNCTIONING. THESE EFFORTS ARE FURTHER STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S CENTER OF EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE, SUPPORTED BY THE BLOCKER FOUNDATION AND BANK OF AMERICA. THIS INITIATIVE IS FOCUSED ON EXPANDING THE REGION'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE BY ACCELERATING THE LICENSURE PROCESS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS (BHPS). THROUGH SUPERVISION, EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING, AND KEY PARTNERSHIPS, THE INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BUILD A STRONGER, MORE QUALIFIED NETWORK OF PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS.IN ADDITION TO ITS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, THE UP CENTER OFFERS HOUSING AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND EDUCATION TO INDIVIDUALS NEEDING THESE SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, EVICTION SUPPORT, PRE- AND POST-PURCHASE COUNSELING FOR HOMEBUYERS (INCLUDING SENIORS), AND PERSONALIZED FINANCIAL EDUCATION. IN 2025, THESE SERVICES REACHED APPROXIMATELY 1,100 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 209 MORTGAGE AND RENTAL CLIENTS. AMONG THOSE WHO COMPLETED COUNSELING, 96% (25 OUT OF 26) EITHER MAINTAINED OR IMPROVED THEIR HOUSING STABILITY, DEMONSTRATING THE PROGRAM'S TANGIBLE IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS.

AGENCY SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:THE UP CENTER'S PROGRAM SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES INCLUDE THE FAMILY LIFE PROGRAM, WHICH SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES BY PLACING THEM IN NURTURING HOMES WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED FAMILIES RATHER THAN IN GROUP HOMES OR INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS. THIS APPROACH PROMOTES GREATER INCLUSION, INDEPENDENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE SERVED. IN ADDITION, THE UP CENTER OPERATES A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO CANNOT MANAGE THEIR FINANCES, HELPING ENSURE STABILITY AND PROTECTION FROM FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS PROGRAM SERVICE AREA FOR 2025 INCLUDE: SPONSORED HOME SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 73 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, ENABLING THEM TO LIVE IN SUPPORTIVE FAMILY ENVIRONMENTS RATHER THAN GROUP HOMES OR INSTITUTIONS. MORE THAN 1,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES - INCLUDING MANY VETERANS - WERE ABLE TO AVOID INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND ACHIEVE GREATER COMMUNITY STABILITY THROUGH THE UP CENTER'S BILL-PAYING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES.