Our Impact
Changing the Narrative
Our work changes the narrative about what is possible for children facing profound challenges, including disability, loss, and trauma. Drawing upon each child and family’s strengths to address areas of need, Seneca’s education, mental health, permanency, and juvenile justice services empower thousands of young people each year to transform their own stories.
In addition to direct service programming, Seneca partners with other youth- and family-serving organizations to ensure best practices. Seneca’s Institute for Advanced Practice trains child welfare, behavioral health and juvenile justice professionals in a wide range of evidence-based and promising practices, in order to strengthen the larger systems of care for our most vulnerable and highest-need children, youth, and their families.
The agency is also committed to informing and improving the local, state and federal systems that serve children and families. Seneca’s broad geographic range and continuum of services position the agency as a leader in shaping public policy. This work takes many forms: local county-level advocacy; tracking or sponsoring statewide legislation; participation in statewide advisory councils; developing partnerships or coalitions to advance innovative systems-change ideas, and more. Learn more about Seneca's policy and advocacy work here.
For over 18,000 children and families each year, access to Seneca’s innovative services yields the following bright outcomes:
- 98% or higher permanency success rate: 98 or more out of 100 placements and adoptions that Seneca facilitates achieve permanency. Nationwide, as many as one in four placements fail.
- Improved academic performance for historically underserved students: Seneca’s school-based services in eight California and three Washington counties provide special education and whole-school interventions to support the success of ALL students.
- Individualized, strengths-based mental health services: Approximately 80% of our clients make progress towards their treatment goals over the course of treatment, translating into improved functioning, confidence, and stability at home, at school, and in the community.