Sycamores partners with schools throughout California to provide culturally responsive, education-based services that meet students’ needs related to mental health, housing, family conflict, food insecurity, education, and more.
Contact us at ebs@sycamores.org to learn how Sycamores can support your school community.
Sycamores Education-Based Programs have served Los Angeles County since 1997, partnering with school districts and charter schools to provide a full range of impactful services to students, especially those facing barriers to accessing support in traditional settings. By working collaboratively within the school community, on campus, Sycamores clinicians can assist students experiencing a crisis, difficulties with adjustment or attention, or change or loss in their lives. Clinicians also support students in developing social, anger management, conflict resolution, and coping skills. All services are offered year round.
Our work, in concert with teachers and administrators, allows students to develop their unique strengths and abilities and assists them in remediating emotional difficulties that may interfere with academic success. Today, Sycamores provides mental health services in over 30 public schools in Riverside and Los Angeles Counties, including the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Alhambra, Pasadena, and Hacienda-La Puente areas. We’re not only unlocking potential—we’re laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities that thrive together.
Sycamores plays a supportive role in executing the mission of the California Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).
The goal of the initiative is to facilitate partnerships between community organizations and schools to raise awareness about mental health and improve access to mental health care for children and youth, especially those who are marginalized or at risk.
“My child is better able to communicate with us about needs and concerns.”
“I’ve noticed how much I have improved, and I have so far been getting all the help I’ve needed.”
“I am less anxious.”
Sycamores is the one-stop solution for the successful implementation of the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) – as a bridge between school districts and families, ensuring that students have access to critical support services and resources.
In 2016, Sycamores began providing early intervention services, known as Birth to 5 Services, across 30 Early Head Start/Head Start Centers in collaboration with Plaza de la Raza. The strength of this partnership resulted in increased collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Family Services in order to provide a broader range of services including infant massage as well as connections to community resources and academic success for preschool-aged children before they enter kindergarten. All services are offered year round.
Sycamores’ School-Based Services (SBS) teams provide individual, group, and family therapy creating a strong support system within schools. In collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families our Therapists and Community Wellness Specialists work directly in classrooms and on campuses to help students develop essential life skills, including anger management, conflict resolution, and effective coping strategies. Beyond therapy, SBS offers parent counseling, case management, and crisis intervention, ensuring students and families receive the guidance they need both on and off school campuses. All services are offered year round.
Opportunities Classrooms are self-contained classrooms on a general education campus served by interdisciplinary team that provides the therapeutic, behavioral, and academic support needed to avoid placement in a non-public school or short-term residential treatment program.
Sycamores also has interdisciplinary teams of staff members, along with clinical and behavioral experts, who work together with instructional teachers and staff in schools and classrooms to provide children and youth with in-person coaching and support. With Sycamores’ guidance and resources, students also receive individual, group, and parent counseling, case management, and crisis intervention services provided on and off school campuses.
This program is staffed by an interdisciplinary team that reintroduces a student to their appropriate academic setting to achieve full time school attendance with minimal distress.
Sycamores provides free group and individual tutoring during the school year to low-income students at risk of dropping out of school or failing one or more subjects. Additionally, tutoring is provided to gifted students who need enrichment outside of what their school can provide. The Learning Lab also offers students access to computers to support them in their tutoring and work. For children in junior high and high school, the Learning Lab’s college prep program provides students and their parents with guidance and assistance in applying to college and for financial aid.
The Educational Support Services program supports students who may be at risk of being placed in a more restrictive school setting, in a short-term residential placement or who may be returning home from a short-term residential placement. Although these services occur outside a classroom setting, Sycamores works in strong collaboration with the school district, staff, students, and families to provide support, resources, and mental health services during this critical time.
“Knowing our students are receiving the services they need and learning how to navigate certain situations to succeed has been the most valuable part of working with Sycamores. The Sycamores team is very professional when collaborating with us as well as when serving our students.”
— Vanessa Olmos, Elementary School Counselor, Antelope Valley
For more information, email ebs@Sycamores.org
