AGENCY DESCRIPTION/MISSION:
Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation (VCCC) is a private, non-profit, behavioral health organization serving South King County since 1965. Our mission is to contribute to healthy and secure communities and quality of life in South King County through the development, promotion, and delivery of exemplary behavioral healthcare services and related human services. Valley Cities provides a full-range of mental health and substance abuse services to individuals of all ages and their families. In addition, information and referral services are provided to those persons we are unable to serve. We are an independent community-based business and we work closely with public and private policy makers and funders, other healthcare and human service entities, elected officials, our communities, and our clients, in order to best serve all our customers.

VCCC involves all constituents in its activities through collaborative planning, evaluation and provision of services. The majority of the clinical staff hold masters degrees in social work or counseling, and an internal credentialing process ensures staff expertise in their areas of responsibility. In addition to professional and support staff, the agency employs staff and consulting psychiatrists, whose work is overseen by a Chief Medical Officer. Approximately 35 to 40 volunteers are continually involved in the agency's operations. These volunteers include the 15-member Board of Directors, who guide the mission, strategic direction and policies of the agency. Student interns and volunteers from local communities are provided with educational, supervised experiences, which enhance available services. VCCC follows affirmative action/equal opportunity employment practices to assure culturally competent delivery of services. Bilingual staff languages include Spanish, French, Czechoslovakian, German, Russian, Vietnamese and Italian.

VCCC employs approximately 200 staff and has offices located in Auburn, Federal Way, Kent and Seattle. Staff also provide services in schools, nursing homes, and other community locations throughout King County.

HISTORY:
In 1964, a concerned group of citizens began a series of meetings regarding the mental health needs of South King County. These meetings resulted in the incorporation of a mental health center located in Auburn, and the employment of an Executive Director. The doors to VCCC opened in 1965. Additional staff were hired and, at the end of 1966, had served 295 clients. By comparison, VCCC served over 10,000 individuals and families in 2003. VCCC has been a member agency of United Way of King County since 1967. United Way funding has helped establish new services, and expand service delivery to older adults, abused women, and severely emotionally disturbed children.

In 1997, VCCC became accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The JCAHO accreditation process helped us take a good look at all our systems and structures, strengthen our focus on outcomes, and quality improvement efforts. The outcome is improved quality and effectiveness in our continuum of care.

In January 2002, Federal Way Youth & Family Services (FWYFS) merged with VCCC, bringing with them a long, history of providing outstanding services to the Federal Way community. This had earned FWYFS the support and high regard of citizens, business, and public officials. Together we will continue to provide exemplary services and dedication to the unique needs of all South King County communities.

In June 2002, we began four different projects targeted to those individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. These projects provide outreach services to individuals and families, especially those with children. Services include physical and behavioral healthcare services, screening and assessments, linkages to community resources, onsite counseling, case management, short-term stabilization and intervention services, and access to psychiatric services.

During the spring of 2003, Valley Cities partnered with Transitional Resources and Highline West Seattle Mental Health to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with severe and persistent mental health issues through a contract awarded by King County Mental Health Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division.

With a staff of over 200, Valley Cities' served over 12,000 individuals and families in 2003. We now have offices in Auburn, Federal Way, Kent and Seattle. In addition, we provide services in the rural communities of Black Diamond, Enumclaw and Maple Valley as well as in many King County nursing homes and in the Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent and Maple Valley School Districts.

Crisis Services
24-hour crisis response services are provided to all of our enrolled clients.

ADULT SERVICES:
Adult Services provide services to adults and their families, as well as consultation and training to businesses and community. Staff serve clients with funding from individualized fees, insurance or managed care benefits, Employee Assistance Benefits, Medicaid or Medicare. We work in conjunction with managed care firms and employee assistance programs in order to ensure timely and smooth access to services. In addition, the agency receives funds from the City of Kent, City of Auburn, and United Way, which assist in subsidizing services to families with low incomes.

OLDER ADULT SERVICES:
Established in 1976, our Older Adult Services program is designed to meet the mental health needs of older adults and their families Services can be obtained at any of our service locations as well as in several area nursing homes, in Senior Centers and in client homes, if necessary.

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SERVICES:
Child and Adolescent Services is committed to providing community-based, comprehensive child and family-focused services. Programming is designed to meet the varying needs of emotionally disturbed children, victims of trauma or family violence, and children and families in crisis. Solution-focused programming focuses on family strengths and responds to the cultural needs of diverse communities. Financial support for services comes from many sources, including King County's Prepaid Health Plan, Medicaid, DCFS, United Way, public schools, program fees, insurance and managed care benefits. All services are provided in close collaboration with families, other child-serving systems, and community organizations. Program components include:

HOMELESS FAMILY SERVICES:
Homeless Family Services provide outreach services to individuals and families, especially those with children. Services include physical and behavioral healthcare services, screening and assessments, linkages to community resources, onsite counseling, case management, short-term stabilization and intervention services, and access to psychiatric services.

FEDERAL WAY YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES:
Federal Way Youth & Family Services (FWYFS) has served the human services needs of the Federal Way Community since 1973. In January 2002, FWYFS became a division of VCCC. FWYFS continues to provide the same high quality services and programs. FWYFS is committed to providing community-based, outpatient mental health services to children, families, and adults as well as family support services.