The Priority Center   

Established in 1983 as the Child Abuse Prevention Center, The Priority Center was founded as a single volunteer-based parent-aid program and has grown, over the past 38 years, into the largest children’s services organization dedicated to preventing child abuse in Orange County. Through its 8 life-changing programs, The Priority Center offers comprehensive services, including in-home prevention and early intervention, and crisis therapy and response to children and families in crisis, those affected by generational trauma, and those at a heightened risk of exposure to adverse childhood experiences. Our services aim to support children holistically by addressing their mental, developmental, and social well-being while facilitating caregiver healing and growth in order to promote positive parenting behaviors and practices. In providing these services, we hope to bolster parents’ efforts to create safe and nurturing homes for their children. Our continuum of care reaches clients from birth through age 18, and also adults in crisis through our Adult In-Home Crisis Stabilization Program. We provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed care to children who have experienced abuse, while we act as advocates on behalf of children undergoing investigation to ensure a reduction in child trauma and prioritize their wellbeing throughout the judicial process. We also provide in-home crisis stabilization to children and adults experiencing mental illness. Community outreach and education programs enable us to discuss topics such as child abuse with community members while connecting vulnerable families to prevention and early intervention services. Our prevention programs enable trained staff members to meet with families in their homes to facilitate healthy caregiver-child relationships and address unmet needs. The Priority Center also delivers basic needs supplies to support household safety and promote human dignity.