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New Alternatives, Incorporated (NAI) is a private, nonprofit corporation that was founded in San Diego, California in 1978. The mission of New Alternatives is to provide culturally competent and family focused services to child victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. The population served are some of San Diego's most vulnerable children. These victims frequently suffer from a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges due to family histories of child abuse, substance abuse, family violence and mental illness. Many of these children will be able to break generational cycles of child abuse, substance abuse, family violence, homelessness and poverty with treatment, care, and support. |
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Since its inception in 1978, NAI has developed an array of services designed to stop this generational cycle of abuse. The NAI has a variety of residential treatment settings that range in size from 6-48 beds. Each of these programs has been developed in response to a community need for specialized services for at risk children and adolescents. Each is therefore unique in it's services to children and their families. All NAI programs provide their services within the Agency philosophy that "children have a right to grow and develop as happy, successful and contributing individuals." Each program is dedicated to achieving this goal for every child. In addition to this core of residential treatment programs, NAI has developed a continuum of care that includes Foster Family in-home prevention services, mental health programs, and school-based services. Foster Family Homes:
NAI's Foster Family Agency (NAI-FFA was established in 1985 and was one of the first in San Diego County) provides foster care for children and adolescents ages 0 to 18 years old. The program offers foster parents ongoing support, trainings, training, support groups, crisis intervention, assistance with transportation, and regular weekly contact and sometimes daily phone contact.
In-Home/Preventive Services:
NAI provides in-home support and prevention services, established in 1983. This program originally started as an in-home service to children at risk of being removed from their homes. The program provides an array of services designed to either keep children at home or to shorten the time they spend in out of home care.
School Based Programming
NAI provides specialized day treatment, classroom support, and counseling services for the Cajon Valley and La Mesa/Spring Valley School Districts. The day treatment program is considered an early intervention program that is designed to prevent the need for non public school placements.
Residential Care
NAI offers an array of residential programs for children ages 6 - 18 years old throughout San Diego County. Each facility is unique and specifically designed to provide a highly structured therapeutic experience for each child as they go through the healing process.
NAI is funded by multiple contracts. These contracts include: the County of San Diego for many of our programs and Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) for our mental health programs. |
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