San Bernardino, Calif., September 10, 2007 –

Family-focused intervention and support offered by EMQ Children & Family Services through its successful Wraparound program is available for the first time in California to youths with developmental disabilities and their families who are served by the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

Program UPLIFT, EMQ's community-based Wraparound program, brings therapeutic experts into the lives and homes of families needing services that might otherwise require emotionally wrenching and costly out-of-home placements. EMQ Children & Family Services is credited with bringing Wraparound services to California's families who are challenged with similar impacts of children who have severe psychiatric and emotional disabilities. The Wraparound program has been nationally recognized as being effective and is now offered in 30 California counties with more counties in the planning stage.

Traditionally, EMQ Children & Family Services has offered Wraparound services to families grappling with children with serious emotional and psychiatric challenges such as severe depression, thoughts of suicide, or aggressive behavior. Through its collaboration with the San Bernardino-based Inland Regional Center, these therapeutic services now will be available to youths with developmental disabilities and their families. Youths with developmental disabilities can be at high risk of out-of-home placement when parents or caretakers have a hard time managing their emotional and behavioral needs.

"These are proven, therapeutic interventions that we have seen transform the lives of children and families," said Darrell Evora, president of EMQ Children & Family Services. "EMQ is excited about providing Wraparound services to families of youths with developmental disabilities."

Through the Wraparound program, clinicians, family specialists, social workers and other adults who play integral roles in a child's life meet regularly with a child and his or her family to develop therapeutic plans that are unique to that youth and family. The meetings typically are held in a child's home, and are designed to accentuate the family's strengths and to develop a plan for continued growth.

"We believe Wraparound services will give children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to develop and explore their own gifts, strengths and potential," said Armando Ontiveros, regional division director of EMQ Children & Family Services in San Bernardino.

Inland Regional Center's goal for Wraparound is to assist individuals and their family to become interdependent within their community. The Center hopes that these services will allow families with a developmentally disabled child to better use their natural abilities and support systems to allow their children to remain safe at home and in the community.

Wraparound services began June 1 and are targeted to serve 20 youths between the ages of 5 to 25. The number of youths receiving services is expected to grow each year.

Some of the specific services offered to families through EMQ include: behavior stabilization and effective behavior management strategies, skills coaching, support in assessing educational needs, and 24/7 on-call support. Services are expected to produce stabilization within a few months and sustainable change within 12 to 18 months.

About EMQ
EMQ Children & Family Services is nationally recognized for innovation in family-centered programs that help children recover from issues such as severe depression, thoughts of suicide, or drug abuse. The private nonprofit helps more than 6,600 children and their family members every year through programs like Family Finding, Wraparound, support and educational services. Headquartered in Campbell, California, EMQ Children & Family Services has programs in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino and Santa Clara counties. More information on EMQ can be found at http://www.emq.org

About IRC (Inland Regional Center)
The IRC is one of 21 regional centers throughout California that contract with the California Department of Developmental Services to provide comprehensive case management services to people with developmental disabilities.

NOTE to editors: For photos, please contact SoHanna Minami at (408) 470-9420.

Editorial Contact:
SoHanna Park Minami
EMQ Children & Family Services
(408) 470-9420   sohanna@sbcglobal.net