Family Wellness and Self Sufficiency
From shelters to counseling, the Family Wellness & Self Sufficiency Department works with families and individuals helping them survive and overcome difficult situations and supporting their future wellness and self sufficiency. This department also manages many of SBCS shelters and housing; and provides counseling services, food and various living needs for all residents.

Housing and Support Services for Victims of Family Violence

• Casas Seguras is the only program that provides prevention, intervention and confidential shelter for victims of family violence and their children in South San Diego County. Residents of Casas Seguras are provided with safety and self-sufficiency plans, reestablishing their paperwork and identities, stabilizing their living situation, initiating Court processes, and establishing an income if necessary.
• Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) – DVRT is the first 24 hour/7 days a week emergency response unit for domestic violence calls. Working closely with local law enforcement and stationed at all South Bay Police Departments, DVRT specialists accompany police on all domestic violence calls. DVRT specialists provide crisis intervention to victims and their children and assist children and adult victims plan their immediate and long-term safety. DVRT covers the whole South Bay region including Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, and Southern San Diego. DVRT also responds to calls from the SBCS Hotline number 1-800-640-2933.
• Family Violence and Support Services – includes counseling and services for victims and children exposed to violence and well as case management and treatment.
  

Housing and Support Services for Homeless Families

• Casa Nueva Vida I: In 1993, SBCS initiated the South Bay region’s first homeless program for families. Beginning with Casa Nueva Vida I, the 54-bed short term housing and supportive services program opened to help homeless families become self-sufficient.
  
• Casa Nueva Vida II: In 1994, SBCS opened Casa Nueva Vida II, transitional housing with 14 units where families can stay for up to 18 months.
  
• Casas de Transicion: Scattered throughout the South Bay, these affordable housing developments are available to former homeless and/or domestic violence victims who have transitioned out of our short and long-term shelters. There are 18 units.

Additional Housing and Services

• Victorian Heights: This eight-unit transitional housing development serves homeless women struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, and/or domestic violence victimization. Many of the women were previously separated from their children but have since participated successfully in a rehabilitation programs and are now reuniting with their children. By providing families with a safe, stable housing and supportive services to meet their special needs, SBCS is able to assist them in re-establishing independent lives.
• La Posada is an affordable housing development for families dealing with HIV/AIDS and families with 50% of area median income. In 2000, La Posada was awarded the Alliance of Housing Finance Agencies “Meritorious Achievement and Home Award”. On a nationwide average, families living with HIV or AIDS have about a 16% employment rate. At La Posada, our families have 70% employment.

• Community Services for Families (CSF) is community-based and provides support and services to at-risk families in the community. Our CSF specialists work throughout the South County offering home visits, classes, counseling and assistance.

Outcomes
Every year we are able to serve more children, youth and families. And we do so while also increasing outcomes. As a friend, donor, sponsor, volunteer or funder, you have given us the ability to continue to provide high quality services and new innovative programs for the communities of San Diego’s South County. Review our Outcomes.