SAN DIEGO.— The urgent gaps in pediatric mental health care for Spanish-speaking children between the ages of 7 and 18 living in California were among the main reasons that led the Foundation for the Children of the Californias (FCC) to take action and recognize the importance of providing care. As a result, it created the Puentes de Bienestar program, a telehealth initiative led by CIAPPI, the Child Psychology and Psychopedagogy Center of the Hospital Infantil de las Californias.
“Many children in our community are experiencing moments of intense stress and fear, and this is a serious concern for FCC. Puentes de Bienestar is an extraordinary tool that allows us to connect them directly with mental health professionals in a confidential and timely manner,” explained Kathia Bustillos, executive director of FCC, in an interview with El Latino San Diego.
The program aims to provide completely free psychological telehealth services, culturally adapted and designed to support at least 50 children during the pilot phase.
This innovative model is based on accessibility, bilingual care, and binational collaboration, removing barriers that often prevent children from immigrant families from receiving timely and effective psychological support.
Participating children receive a comprehensive psychological evaluation and a personalized treatment plan, while family guidance, psychoeducation, and caregiver support are integral components of the program.
Special attention is given to trauma, anxiety, and depression related to migration, family separation, and chronic socioeconomic stress.
The Puentes de Bienestar program offers 10 weekly telehealth sessions with a psychologist, complemented by a mental health application that uses artificial intelligence to provide continuous support between sessions.
The app does not replace therapy; it helps children manage anxiety and depression and includes a crisis button connected directly to the San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL). “Families do not need to travel anywhere, which reduces risks and makes safe access to services easier,” Bustillos noted.
FCC has established strategic partnerships with multiple organizations and associations, including Casa LEAP Charities, Borderview Family YMCA, South Bay Family YMCA, MarVista Academy, High Tech High Chula Vista, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, Promise to Kids, Catholic Charities, as well as various educational and health programs in California.
“These organizations, which have direct access to the communities, are best positioned to identify the children who need this support,” Bustillos emphasized.
Registration is open for interested families. Children and adolescents can enroll at www.usfcc.org or call (619) 400-5999.
FCC assures that the entire process is strictly confidential, guaranteeing that participants’ health information will not be shared with third parties.