In recognition of his extraordinary and visionary leadership, Casa Pacifica was thrilled to present our most prestigious honor, the Guardian Angel Award, to our first and former CEO, Dr. Steve Elson. This award is bestowed upon community leaders and supporters for their outstanding and dedicated service to Casa Pacifica.
Our Camarillo campus was also formally dedicated as the Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families Steve Elson Campus, a tribute initiated by Casa Pacifica’s former Board President, Bill Powell.
Under Dr. Elson’s 25-year tenure, Casa Pacifica evolved from a crisis care shelter into the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Dr. Elson was instrumental in expanding our four core programs in 1994 to 14 campus and community-based programs in 2020, all of which are recognized nationally and statewide for their high quality and effectiveness. He also successfully guided Casa Pacifica through the Continuum of Care Reform, a child welfare reform established in 2017. As a result, Casa Pacifica was the third agency in the state and the first in Southern California to receive a short-term residential therapeutic program license.
Dr. Elson has been involved in numerous public policy initiatives involving children and youth over the last 35 years. He is a committed advocate for helping foster youth make connections, find lost families, and experience the love and support that friendships and healthy relationships bring. His heart for Casa Pacifica and our kids is enormous, and it is only fitting that we bestow the Guardian Angel Award upon him.
Congratulations, Dr. Elson! Your legacy continues to inspire us!
About Casa Pacifica
Headquartered in Camarillo, California, Casa Pacifica is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. It’s nationally accredited programs and services include residential treatment, therapeutic behavioral services, wraparound services, mobile crisis response, transitional youth services, school-based mental health services and foster care services along with a fully certified, diploma-granting Non-Public School for grades K-12. Casa Pacifica specializes in treating children and youth who struggle with complex mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. Nearly 52,500 children have been admitted to one of its programs since its founding in 1994.
To learn more or to get involved, email info@casapacifica.org or call 805-366-4040.