Strong Families Strong Children

10/09/2026

Today our CEO, Lori Pack, and Clinical Program Director, Rubi Lopez Becerra spoke on the panel for the Orange County Veterans and Military Families Collaborative General Meeting discussion on the California Veterans Health Initiative. Thank you OCVMFC for including us in such an important conversation.

10/06/2026

How can we better support the health and well-being of OC's veterans and military families?

Join us on October 8 as Child Guidance Center's CEO, Lori Pack, and Clinical Program Director, Rubi Lopez Becerra, participate in a panel discussion at the Orange County Veterans and Military Families Collaborative General Meeting. Together with community leaders, they'll explore the California Veterans Health Initiative and opportunities to strengthen support systems for those who have served.

📅 October 8, 2026
⏰ 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
📍 Coastline College, Garden Grove Campus

Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ocvmfc-general-meeting-bhsa-and-the-ca-veterans-health-initiative-tickets-1998004733944

We hope to see you there!

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The OCVMFC General Meeting on October 8, 2026, 9:30 AM–11:30 AM at Coastline College, Garden Grove Campus is bringing together community partners, veteran-serving organizations, and leaders for an opportunity to connect, learn, and discuss issues affecting veterans and military families across Orange County.

As part of the meeting, attendees will also hear from a diverse group of leaders during the California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI) Panel Discussion, featuring perspectives from behavioral health, family support, veteran services, and legal advocacy.

Panelists include:
Lori Pack — CEO, Child Guidance Center
Rubi Lopez Becerra — Clinical Program Director, Child Guidance Center
Robert Stohr — Executive Director, L.A. & Orange County, U.S. Vets
Robin Taylor — Executive Director, Veterans Legal Institute

The panel will be moderated by Roberto C. Herrera Jr., Deputy Secretary, Veterans Services, CalVet.

Join us for the full General Meeting and be part of the conversation. Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ocvmfc-general-meeting-prop-1-and-the-ca-veterans-health-initiative-tickets-1998004733944?aff=OCVMFCFlyer

10/01/2026

We’re honored to receive VA su***de prevention grant funding to continue serving local Veterans. Learn more at the link in our bio.

***deprevention

09/14/2026

For military families, life can bring unique challenges, deployments, separation, frequent moves, changing schools, and reintegration. These experiences can sometimes leave young people feeling overwhelmed or alone.

That’s why connection matters. Check in. Ask the question. Listen without judgment. Let them know they don’t have to face difficult moments alone.

Through Strong Families Strong Children, Child Guidance Center is here to support military-connected children and families through life’s challenges and help build stronger, healthier futures.

Your family matters. Your child matters. Hope is always worth reaching for.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.

***dePreventionAwarenessMonth

09/08/2026

The National Su***de Prevention Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 9-8-8 is available via call or text, and online chat.

09/02/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month 💙

For Veterans and their families, asking, “How are you really doing?” can be a powerful act of care.

The transition home, changes in relationships, loss of purpose, financial stress, trauma, or simply carrying the weight of experiences that are difficult to put into words can make life feel overwhelming. Sometimes, the people who need support the most may not know how to ask for it.

That’s why staying connected matters. Check in. Listen without judgment. Start the conversation. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reminds us that su***de has no single cause, but prevention is possible, especially when Veterans can find support before a crisis happens. Family members, friends, caregivers, and our communities all have a role to play.

If you or a Veteran you know is struggling, you don't have to face it alone.

📞 Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then Press 1
📱 Text: 838255
💻 Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net

Support is available 24/7, whether or not a Veteran is enrolled in VA health care.

At Strong Families Strong Children, we believe that supporting Veterans means supporting the entire family. Sometimes, one conversation, one connection, or one person willing to listen can make a difference.

This month—and every month—let’s stay connected, look out for one another, and remind our Veterans and their families that they are not alone. 💙

***dePreventionMonth

08/30/2026

For military and veteran families, grief can take many forms.
It can be the loss of a loved one. The loss of a fellow service member. The end of a military career. A deployment that changes a family. A permanent change of station that means saying goodbye to friends and community. Or the quiet grief that comes with realizing life may never look quite the way it once did.
Not every loss comes with a funeral. Not every grieving moment is easy to recognize.
During National Grief Awareness Month, we’re taking a moment to acknowledge the many forms grief can take within military-connected families, and the importance of having people around you who understand.
Sometimes support means listening. Sometimes it means checking in. Sometimes it simply means reminding someone that they don't have to carry it alone.
Strong families are built through connection, especially during the difficult seasons. 💙

08/28/2026

Leaving military service can be an exciting new chapter, but it can also come with challenges that aren’t always visible. Adjusting to civilian life, finding a new sense of purpose, navigating employment and finances, and rebuilding social connections can all affect a Veteran’s mental health.

A recent study from VA Boston and Boston University found that a smoother transition from military to civilian life may play an important role in a Veteran’s long-term mental health. Researchers found that early support with employment, finances, and social adjustment may help reduce the impact of future stressors and support better mental health outcomes.

That’s why Strong Families Strong Children is here.

Through Child Guidance Center, Strong Families Strong Children helps Veterans and military-connected families navigate emotional and mental health challenges. We provide a place to seek support, build healthy coping strategies, strengthen family connections, and better understand the mental health challenges they may be experiencing.

Because transitioning out of the military doesn’t mean leaving behind the experiences that shaped you. And asking for support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s another step forward.

You served your country. You don’t have to navigate what comes next alone.

Read the full study from VA Boston: https://www.va.gov/boston-health-care/news-releases/study-finds-link-between-military-to-civilian-transition-and-longer-term-mental-health-in-veterans/

08/25/2026

Talk about ending our Board & Leadership Retreat on a high note!! 🙌
We were incredibly fortunate to welcome Brian Driscoll, former Acting Director of the FBI, for an inspiring conversation on Moral Courage in High-Stakes Moments.

Brian challenged us to think about leadership, integrity, and having the courage to do what is right—especially when the decisions aren't easy. His message was the perfect way to close a day of celebrating an incredible year, reflecting on our progress, and looking ahead to what's next for Child Guidance Center.
We're still talking about the powerful insights he shared!

Thank you, Brian, for sharing your experience, wisdom, and perspective with our team and leaving us with so much to think about and carry forward.

Want to hear more? Watch and share Brian's TED Talk, Moral Courage in High-Stakes Moments: https://youtu.be/nwmPa5h6b0c?si=FlGf1Oq9aoOwtXfT

And thank you to our incredible Board and Leadership Team for the passion and commitment you bring to CGC and to the children, veterans and families we serve. ❤️

08/13/2026

What other way to help veterans and their families get ready for a successful school year than to have a back-to-school event! This special back-to-school event was about more than providing backpacks and school supplies, it was about helping the children of our veterans start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and supported.

Families received free food, free socks, haircuts, backpacks and school supplies. It brought veterans and their families together for a day filled with community, fun, and support. The celebration was made even more enjoyable with music provided by DJ Kile. Most importantly, the event reminded these children that their community believes in them and wants to see them thrive.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the sponsors, community partners, volunteers, barber, donors, and everyone who helped make this event possible. Your generosity and commitment made a meaningful difference for veterans and their families.

Special Shout-Out to Our Sponsors and Volunteers:
- Strong Families Strong Children
-Human Works Foundation
-Cottonwood Church
-Sons of the American Legion Los Alamitos Post 716
-American Legion Auxiliary Unit 716 Los Alamitos
-American Legion Newport Post 291
-American Legion Auxiliary Unit 327 Seal Beach
-CoStar Group Veteran’s Network
-Grand Canyon University
-Navy Federal Credit Union
-Wounded Warrior Project
-Santa Ana Elks Lodge
-Santa Ana Elks Lodge Veterans Committee
-Patriots and Paws
-The Tierney Center
-The OC Jumper Guy
-Akahina Home Care
-Ms. Lisa Flores - 63RD Readiness Division Family Program
- Los Alamitos Boys Scouts
-Ms. Jocelyn Messina 63rd Readiness Division Soldier and Family Readiness Group Volunteer
-Travelers of Gulliver's and their volunteers
-Orange County Veterans and Military Families Collaborative
- FILLING A NEED
-David - Operation Patina Prophet

Together, we’re helping our students start the school year ready, confident, and equipped for success!