Learn about the history, mission,
and values of Vista Del Mar.
The history of Vista Del Mar is a story of evolution: from the first cottage-style orphanage in Southern California to an innovative leader in educational, mental health, autism, adoptions and early intervention services. As the needs of our community have changed, Vista Del Mar has always met those challenges with compassion and cutting edge treatment programs.
Since 1908 we’ve watched Los Angeles grow up around us and the needs of the children and families we serve grow more complex. But one thing hasn’t changed: we’re still here to help. To read more of our story, please click here.
Mission
Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.
Vision
VDM envisions a community where all children and families are equipped and prepared to live productive, fulfilling lives.
Values
Vista Del Mar is guided by core values of empowerment, equity, and excellence.
- We consider the youth and families we work with to be equal partners in pursuing improved wellbeing and individual, family, and community equity and empowerment.
- We provide services and facilitate opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender expression, sexual orientation, religious preferences, or physical ability. Vista Del Mar actively advances equal opportunity, equitable access, mutual respect, collaboration, and teamwork.
- We are committed to excellence in all aspects of our work. Our goal is to deliver innovative, best-in-class services and build a sustainable organization that consistently improves wellbeing among our clients, their families, and their respective communities.
Commitment to Equity
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services takes great pride in providing exceptional programs and services for children and families throughout LA County. We serve the most vulnerable in Los Angeles, many of whom have faced multi-generational inequities.
Vista Del Mar believes in the equality of BIPOC. We recognize the struggles of injustice and inequity and stand in the breach to fight them. We will continue to strongly advocate to change racist systems that oppress members of our community. We will work collaboratively to expand programs and curricula that address social injustice while providing our community the tools to contribute to the ongoing movement towards equity and inclusion for all in our society.
Our actions will be louder than our words. Vista Del Mar commits to meeting these moments.
Credentials
Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. Our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and our graduate degree program is recognized around the world for the high quality of its instruction.
