Since its founding in 1994, Casa Pacifica has been dedicated to helping the most vulnerable children and families in our community find hope and healing.

Casa Pacifica was born out of a deep need in Ventura County in the late 1980s. At that time, there were few services for children entering the foster care system—those who were removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Often, these children were placed far away from their families, schools, and everything familiar, leaving them feeling isolated and alone. Additionally, children already in foster care, with complex behavioral and emotional needs, were also being sent out of county to facilities unable to provide the support they required.

In response to this urgent gap in services, a public-private steering committee was formed, co-chaired by the Departments of Child & Family Services and Behavioral Health. This committee envisioned a place where children in crisis could find refuge: a campus-based care center that would offer comprehensive services including trauma-informed care, medical attention, assessment, residential care and educational support. It would also be a place where children could be reunited with their families in a safe, nurturing environment.

With a shared sense of purpose, this public-private partnership raised the $10 million needed to bring Casa Pacifica to life. In 1994, the campus opened its doors, providing a safe haven for the most vulnerable children in our community.

As the years passed, Casa Pacifica continued to evolve, expanding its services to meet the growing needs of children and families. In 2000, we began providing community-based services across Ventura County, and in 2003, extended our reach into Santa Barbara County. These services were designed to help children stay safely with their families, preventing the trauma of separation and fostering a sense of hope.

In 2007, Casa Pacifica recognized the pressing need to support young adults transitioning out of foster care, a population that is at great risk of homelessness, substance abuse and unemployment. We expanded our programs to include services that would help these youth successfully transition into adulthood, offering transitional housing, educational support, employment readiness, life skills training and financial literacy.

Today, Casa Pacifica stands as the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. We are proud of our outcomes, which consistently exceed national averages, and the thousands of lives we touch each year. Casa Pacifica serves approximately 2,000 at-risk youth and families annually, offering residential, outpatient, and community-based services that transform lives.