Spotlight on: CALM

Scott Whiteley, Ph.D., director of prevention and treatment

CALM, or Child Abuse Listening Mediation, is a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit with a satellite office in Santa Maria. 

Establishing a North County branch in 2010, CALM recently moved its Santa Maria headquarters to a bigger office on Enos Drive. The nonprofit’s mission is to assess, prevent, and treat child abuse in Santa Barbara County.  

He doesn’t like to see it  this way, but for Scott Whiteley, moving into a bigger building could mean that child abuse is on the rise. 

click to enlarge Spotlight on: CALM
PHOTO BY DAVID MINSKY
CALMING KIDS: Alisha Black, MFT, is a certified play therapist for CALM in Santa Maria.

Conversely, it could also mean that the nonprofit’s methods are working and simply fulfilling an unmet need. 

According to the nonprofit’s website, CALM was founded in 1971 by local nurse Claire Miles following an incident two years earlier when she learned of a father who had shaken his infant son to death. Miles paid for an ad in the Santa Barbara News-Press with the hope that she can help stressed parents before they hurt their children. 

As CALM’s director for prevention and treatment, Whiteley coordinates treatment programs between his therapists, who are all master’s degree-level and certified with the state. Most of his staff is also bilingual, Whiteley added. 

CALM treats kids aged 18 and younger who have experienced some form of abuse, whether it’s physical, sexual, or emotional. Even witnessing domestic violence can induce trauma in a child, Whiteley said.

“I’ve experienced more horrible things than I can describe,” Whiteley said. “I wish there wasn’t a reason for CALM’s existence, but sadly there is.”

Fortunately, there is help. CALM offers several evidence-based (researched) methods of treatment, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) and parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). CALM is the only agency in the county that offers PCIT, according to Whiteley, adding that CALM does not charge for its services either. He doesn’t limit sessions, but is careful to note that he also doesn’t “over-therapize” patients.   

CALM is also the contracted Medi-Cal provider for mental health care for kids up to age 6, Whiteley said, adding that it’s a special type of service that not many programs offer. 

Play therapy is also commonly used at CALM and is a method employed to communicate with abused children who are unable to communicate, Whiteley said.  

It’s a strictly outpatient provider, meaning patients do not stay overnight.
Deep inside the office are several playrooms filled with various toys, stuffed animals, wooden train sets, and board games. Each toy is carefully chosen, Whiteley said. 

The nonprofit gets client referrals from other providers and agencies, including the county’s Child Welfare Services. 

Some people may wonder whether the grim reality of dealing with child abuse victims negatively impacts the staff. Whiteley said that it can, and so he makes sure that his counselors and therapists don’t need counseling and therapy. 

Being in the psychology field for 40 years, Whiteley can attest to the fact that one must be mentally tough for this type of work. He praised his staff for putting out such a great “clinical product.”

While CALM operates in a clinical setting, the nonprofit unofficially extends help beyond the office. For the sixth year in a row, CALM is holding Adopt-a-Family, whereby families are asked to “adopt,” or host, and donate gifts to some of their child patients—who often come from low-income families—during the holidays. 

CALM matches families with children, but the families don’t know which child they’ll get. Whiteley says the process is heavily vetted and he guarantees rigorous control of patient confidentiality. 

To participate, email Sandra Fuhring at [email protected]. Wrapped gifts must be received before Dec. 7. 

Whiteley believes child abuse is a significant problem that perpetuates a cycle of violence. Fortunately, he also thinks it can be stopped.

“If it’s not treated or the cycle isn’t stopped, there’s a high likelihood that it’ll be transferred to the next generation.” 

CALM’s new Santa Maria office is located at 210 E. Enos Drive, suite A. For more information, call 614-9160 or visit calm4kids.org.
  

Highlights 

• Help 4 HD International Inc. held the grand opening for its new Affordability Shop and Resource Center on Nov. 14. The new shop is located at 423 W. Ocean Ave. in Lompoc. The mission of the nonprofit is to educate the world about Huntington’s Disease and provide resources to those who suffer from the disease, such as information about research and clinical trials, and connecting them with professionals. For more information, visit help4hd-international.org.

Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.

Comments (0)
Add a Comment