Tag: Family Service Agency

Family Service Agency opens new location at Escalante Meadows in Guadalupe, expanding access to free services for families, seniors, community members

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2025 • Comments Off

GUADALUPE — Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County (FSA) announced today the opening of a new on-site service location at Escalante Meadows in Guadalupe, marking a significant expansion of accessible, no-cost family support services for residents and community members. The location opened November 1, 2025, in partnership with the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County (HASBARCO).

The new location, situated in the Wellness Center at Escalante Meadows, provides direct access to case management, resource navigation, parenting education workshops, and community-building activities. Services are available to all Escalante Meadows residents and Guadalupe community members at no cost, regardless of income, insurance status, or immigration status.

Family Service Agency announces open availability for Senior Services

by Community Contributor • October 21, 2025 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) is announcing that its senior services programs have openings for new clients. There are currently no waiting lists for services for the first time in years! FSA’s Senior Services programs include senior and caregiver counseling, case management, and the Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors (PEARLS). FSA operates these programs countywide, including in Santa Maria at the Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center and in Guadalupe at The Little House By The Park.

Courtney Cazenave Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Cazenave to its Board of Directors.

Cazenave retired from her position as an administrative office professional for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department earlier this year. She has 18 years of administration and operations experience.

A Guadalupe resident, Cazenave is looking forward to using her skills to make a difference in the community. She has been a Court-Appointed Special Advocate since 2020. She has previously volunteered for the Special Olympics, elections, and the Homeless Count from 2019
to 2021.

Oct. 17 — Family Service Agency presents 33rd Annual Senior Expo of Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

The long-running Senior Expo of Santa Barbara is back again in 2024, occurring in Mid-October this year.
Expect this year’s Expo to provide the same exciting array of health screenings, flu shots, exhibits, and fun activities for seniors and those who care for them.

With free packing and $5 admission, the Senior Expo is still the best ticket in town for Santa Barbara’s seniors and caregivers.

Family Service Agency Fundraiser Raises Record Funds

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2023 • Comments Off

Over 200 guests of Family Service Agency attended Dreams in Bloom on Saturday May 13 at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club at Rockwood—where they turned compassion into action. The sold-out event raised a record $250,000 to benefit the children, families, and seniors served by FSA—which includes Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House by the Park.

“We are humbled and energized by the support of our community,” said CEO Lisa Brabo. “This event is a great way to connect with our supporters and share our mutual passion for investing in the lives of the people we have the honor of serving.”

Nov. 11 — FSA’s First Annual Pickleball Tournament – Play for a Cause to be held in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency is thrilled to announce the inaugural FSA Annual Pickleball Tournament, set to take place at the beautiful Montecito Club courts on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the agency’s senior programs and youth mental health, two crucial programs serving Santa Barbara County residents.

Tournament Director Natalie Collins-Smith, a Pickleball Pro at the Montecito Club and an expert in organizing successful pickleball events, guaranteeing an engaging and memorable experience for all participants.

May 12 — Family Servie Agency to present D. Sarah Y. Vinson at its annual fundraiser

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency welcomes you to our annual fundraiser, an evening with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, esteemed youth and child psychiatrist, and co-editor of Social (In)Justice and Mental Health and Pediatric Mental Health for Primary Care Providers. Dr. Vinson will be presenting on the topic of Supporting Youth Mental Health, followed by a Q&A. This discussion and reception will take place on Thursday May 12th, 2022 at 5PM at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, followed by a paddle raise to support Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s The Little House By The Park.

Patricia Herrera Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2021 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia “Patty” Herrera to its Board of Directors.

Herrera is the Manager of Community Health for Dignity Health Northern Central Coast Hospitals, coordinating community education and outreach, and serves as Master Trainer for Stanford’s Chronic Self Disease Management program Healthier Living.

Family Service Agency Launches Fatherhood Education Program

by Community Contributor • June 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency (FSA) announced a new education program, Forever A Father, to help dads improve their parenting skills, relationships, and economic stability. The program, available in English and Spanish, is provided at no cost to participants and is funded through a five-year grant from the Department of Health & Human Services.

““The fatherhood program addresses the needs of underserved families by providing services, supports, and education. The goal is to strengthen family functioning through additional resources and skill-building so that parents are better able to raise their children in healthy home environments,” said Executive Director, Lisa Brabo.

Maria McCall Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2021 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Montecito Bank & Trust Vice President/MClub Director, Maria McCall, to its Board of Directors.

“We’re excited to add Maria McCall to our Board of Trustees,” said Lisa Brabo, FSA Executive Director. ‘She brings extensive community engagement and leadership experience to our board.”

Helping Children Cope with COVID-19 Stress

by Community Contributor • May 15, 2020 • Comments Off

“Most of us would agree that this indescribable time of COVID-19 has been distressing and disturbing—which is the definition of trauma,” says Marriage & Family Therapist, De Rosenberry, who also manages the Senior Services program for Family Service Agency.

CANCELED — April 17 — 6th Annual Cooking Up Dreams to benefit Family Service Agency

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2020 • Comments Off

UPDATE: CANCELED

Community Partners to be Honored May 8 at United Way of Santa Barbara County’s 96th Annual Awards Celebration

by Community Contributor • May 3, 2019 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has announced the nominees for their 96th Annual Awards Celebration, taking place May 8th at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort. Local volunteers, businesses, schools, and organizations will be recognized…

Valentine’s Day Challenge for Families; A Plan for the Other 364 Days of the Year

by Community Contributor • February 14, 2019 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Every February, red roses and heart-shaped boxes of sweets everywhere are a constant reminder that we should be showing our love for our spouse or partner – on just one day each year. With Valentine’s Week…

Family Service Agency Names New Board Members

by Community Contributor • February 11, 2019 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. Joining its Board and representing communities throughout Santa Barbara County are Marisol Alarcon (Carpinteria), Robert Janeway (Santa Barbara), Sandra Underwood…

Family Service Agency Helps Santa Barbara Community Recover

by Community Contributor • January 18, 2018 • Comments Off

Services are available for students, families and individuals SANTA BARBARA — In light of the recent tragedies that have impacted our community in the past week, Family Service Agency (FSA) announced that efforts to assist those affected by the recent natural disasters…

January — Family Service Agency Relationship Classes

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2018 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — While we all know that spending time together as a couple is key to having a successful relationship, for working parents with young children, it often feels impossible to find that “couple” time. Parents attending Family Service…

Family Service Agency Elects Board Co-Presidents

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2017 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County is pleased to announce Katya Armistead and Cole Kinney as co-presidents for the 2017-18 Board of Directors. FSA and Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center (SMVYFC) merged July…

Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center Merges with Family Service Agency

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2017 • Comments Off

Hires Deputy Executive Director, Combines Board of Directors SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center (SMVYFC) and Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County have merged to form one countywide organization that will provide mental…

Family Service Agency moves to new Lompoc location

by Community Contributor • March 28, 2017 • Comments Off

LOMPOC — To better serve its clientele, Family Service Agency will begin providing services at a new location in Lompoc starting Monday, April 3, 2017. The agency purchased former medical offices, and after extensive renovations, will move staff in its senior…

Marco Quintanar wins ‘Our Hero’ contest sponsored by Entravision Communications

by Community Contributor • October 28, 2016 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The votes are in and counted, and the winner is Marco Quintanar, manager of Family Service Agency’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Entravision Communications launched “Nuestros Héroes” (Our Heroes) campaign and focused…

Family Service Agency announces $500K in funding for evidence-based Holistic Defense Program

by Community Contributor • September 30, 2016 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) has received a $498,524 grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to conduct a pilot study of Adult Holistic Defense Case Management (AHDCM) in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office.…