Shelter Takes in Its 1st 7 Children

A month after its grand opening, the Casa Pacifica shelter for neglected and abused children took in its first charges Monday--seven boys and girls who could remain at the center for months, a staff member said.

The seven Ventura County youngsters are not the scared victims of a recent episode of abuse. Those children will start arriving next month.

Rather, these youngsters have a history of foster care and have suffered abuse which led to their placement in residential programs. One boy who arrived Monday had been in 13 homes or centers before coming to Casa Pacifica, spokeswoman Tanya Gonzales said.

Until the center opened, the county did not have ample space to keep them locally. Set in an open field near Camarillo State Hospital, the facility will provide space for 24 of those youths.

The remaining 50 beds at the center will serve as an emergency shelter for children removed from their parents after incidents of violence or neglect. Those youngsters will stay two to 45 days, shelter officials say.

Those in the residential program could remain as long as 1 1/2 years, learning in the private school there and meeting with mental health counselors. Often, these children suffer emotional problems or learning disabilities, officials say.

In the past year, the county paid $3.9 million to keep 163 children in residential care, according to the county Public Social Services Agency. The county also had to pay travel expenses for families and social workers who visited them.