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Community Action Team
The CAT Promise
We strive to equip families with essential skills and foster a robust support system, encouraging enduring improvement and stability.
At St. Augustine Youth Services, we believe in nurturing a healthy, safe, and supportive environment for our community's youth. Our Community Action Team (CAT) epitomizes this belief, offering a robust community-based support system for youth aged 11-21 grappling with significant mental health challenges.
CAT strives to build a robust skill set and establish a resilient support system for families, focusing on long-term improvements and overall well-being. This initiative presents a viable, safe alternative to out-of-home placement for children struggling with serious behavioral health conditions.
About the Community Action Team:
CAT came into existence in 2018, born out of the need to support the local youth in the community.
We extend our helping hands to youth aged 11-21 in St. Johns County.
Our team of compassionate professionals include clinical social workers, therapists, case managers, peer support specialists, a child psychiatrist, a nurse, and administrative support.
We help our youth remain in their community, improve their emotional and behavioral well-being, and reduce risks of adversity, creating a future filled with new possibilities.
Our Healing Tools:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
We apply empathy and understanding to help our youth navigate their past traumas. Our approach goes beyond mere therapy - we offer a healing journey that acknowledges each individual’s past, supports their present, and empowers their future.
Wraparound Model
We surround our youth and their families with comprehensive support, just like a comforting embrace. This approach involves the entire community, turning 'care' into a collective mission. It's not just about helping our youth survive, but enabling them to thrive within their own environment, addressing unique challenges through community-based treatment.
CONTACT:
Theresa Bauer
CAT Team Supervisor
TheresaB@sayskids.org
Troy Wingerter (Therapeutic Mentor), Anja Lazic (Therapist), Amanda Callahan (Team Lead), Dr. Laurie Truog (Psychiatrist), Lorri Thompson (Case Manager), Caitlin Fey (Therapist), McKinsey Kemp (Case Manager), Cherry Willis (Admin Assistant), Tracey Nierth (Nurse).