New Youth-Designed Mental Health and Wellness Center Set to Open in Orange County

With shovels poised, Stephen Schueller, Professor of Psychological Science at UC Irvine, and Susan Parmelee, LCSW, Executive Director of WPC, break ground for the new Allcove in San Juan Capistrano. Behind them are Bill Carson, WPC Board President; Mark Murphy, WPC Board Treasurer; Lauren Gallegos, ACSW, WPC Prevention Director; Moth Golba, Allcove Youth Advisory Group; April Smith, Allcove Youth Advisory Group; Carmen Katsarov, LPCC, CCM, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health; Sue McNair, WPC Board Secretary; and Ladan Afrasiabi, MA, WPC Director of Operations Allcove.

CalOptima Health grant to Wellness & Prevention Center helps fund this new resource in South Orange County

In a step forward for mental health resources in Orange County, the first Allcove center (“Allcove” refers to a youth-focused mental health initiative offering community, support, and resources. It’s a space designed for young people to find help, guidance, or simply a moment of pause) broke ground in San Juan Capistrano on April 11. This initiative, made possible by a $2.7 million grant from CalOptima Health to Wellness & Prevention Center (WPC), aims to create a supportive environment for young people aged 12 to 25.

Scheduled to open this summer, the center will provide affordable mental health and wellness services to cater to local youth’s emotional, physical, and social well-being. As one of only five locations of its kind in California, the alcove will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including mental and physical health care, support for substance use disorders, peer and family support, and access to housing and employment resources.

Carmen Katsarov, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Integration at CalOptima Health, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the project. “CalOptima Health is really proud to be part of this project because it’s a space that young people have created for each other,” she stated. “We’re committed to supporting the next generation with mental health and wellness resources that are welcoming, inclusive, and shaped by their voices.”

An aspect of the center’s development is its Youth Advisory Group (YAG), which includes local high school and college students who have provided valuable feedback over the past two years regarding the center’s design and services. Their contributions have influenced the inclusion of facilities such as a learning kitchen, a clothing swap area, a food pantry, and laundry services.

The Allcove model is part of California’s Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, with WPC operating the San Juan Capistrano location in partnership with UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology. The center will be staffed by peer support specialists—young adults with lived experience—who will provide crucial insights and support under the supervision of a licensed clinician.

“Our health care system is often too focused on individuals who are at their breaking point, neglecting those who are still on their journeys,” said Susan Parmelee, Executive Director of WPC. “This project is about the person climbing the mountain.”

The establishment of the Allcove signifies a transformative approach to youth mental health, aiming to create a safe and encouraging environment that allows young people to thrive.

### About CalOptima Health
CalOptima Health is a county-organized health system that provides quality healthcare coverage for low-income children, adults, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in Orange County, California. Serving over 915,000 members, CalOptima Health collaborates with 8,400 primary care providers and 43 hospitals to ensure that every member receives care with excellence and dignity.

### About Wellness & Prevention Center
Founded by community members with a mission to improve youth health, the Wellness & Prevention Center has evolved from a school-based drop-in service into an organization that provides vital mental health services, facilitates community education around mental health and addiction issues, and leads initiatives to reduce substance abuse.

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