SUN VALLEY : Family Care Center Opens at School

Glenwood Elementary School in Sun Valley unveiled a new family care center Tuesday that will offer physical and mental health services, classes in rearing children and academic support for local residents and their children.

The school set aside a classroom for the center, which will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Principal Diane Agliam said. Tuesday’s opening culminated several months of planning by Glenwood administrators, teachers and parents.

The center will offer immunizations, child physicals, and medical and dental referrals by the school nurse, Agliam said. Mental health services, such as family counseling and a support group for divorced parents, will also be available.

Agliam said plans call for incorporating a strong educational component into the center.

In partnership with Cal State Northridge, which is providing student interns to serve as volunteers, the Glenwood center will provide career counseling and English classes for adults and after-school tutoring for children.

“The community has a lot of needs, and . . . very few public agencies are close by,” Agliam said. “This is an outreach.”

The center is being staffed almost exclusively by volunteers, she said. Money for a part-time clerk will come out of federal funds granted to schools to help economically disadvantaged children.