Free Services for children 0-5
Motiva Associates is excited to offer the Early Childhood Services Program for young children ages 0 to 5 years of age who may be in need of behavioral and developmental servicies.
Motiva Early Childhood services are coordinated by Berenice Salas, M.A., who is highly experienced in parent coaching based on the latest research/science and trained in Project ImPACT and infant massage. She has worked across San Diego diverse communities for the past 16 years and brings to the program board-based experience with issue related to early childhood development.
The following is a brief description of free services we offer :
Parenting Classes
(For health reasons, services are provided remotely)
Motiva Associates has been contracted by Family Health Centers of San Diego and Palomar Health through their Health Development Services (HDS) to provide parenting classes, parent training and counseling services for families. Services are provided in English and Spanish for families with children 0-5 years of age.
Classes “Baby Steps”
- One hour a week for 7 weeks
- For parents / guardians of infants up to 1 year and 3 months of age.
- Attendees receive a course certificate.
- Locations in Central San Diego and East County.
This class covers the following topics:
- Development and temperament
- Self regulation, morality and conscience
- Body control and positive body image
- Secure attachment
- Language and communication
- Emocional regulation
- Play and imagination
- Positive self esteem
- Concentration and problem solving
- Social competence
Classes to understand your child’s behavior
- 2 hours a week for 10 weeks
- For parents and guardians of children under 6 years old
- Attendees receive a course certificate.
- Classes in English and Spanish
- Locations in Central San Diego and East County.
This class covers the following topics:
- Understanding development and temperament
- Development of body control and positive body image
- Development of secure attachment
- Strengthening and encouraging play and imagination
- Defining and strengthening language and communication
- Defining and strengthening self-esteem
- Strengthening and encouraging emotional regulation
- Strengthening and encouraging concentration, planning and problem solving
- Strengthening and encouraging social competence, empathy and positive behavior
- Classes are offered at various locations (such as schools, libraries, and health clinics)
Training and consulting services
The model used in our Healthy Development Services is Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) along with trauma and attachment informed interventions. The family is trained to identify the function of a behavior, how to prevent undesired behavior, how to reinforce appropriate behavior and how to teach new behavioral skills.
The sessions are focused on strengthening the relationship between the child and the parents, as well as improving the parents’ self-care.
Parent Training
- Short duration (5-6 visits of 1.5 hours each)
- Focus on mild behaviors (e.g., potty training, sleeping and non-compliance)
- Locations in Central San Diego and El Cajon
- Sessions include parents and children
Behaviorally Focused Family Counseling
- Up to 10 sessions (1.5 hours each)
- Focused on moderate to more serious behaviors (e.g., more intense, frequent and long-lasting behaviors)
- Locations in Central San Diego, Escondido and El Cajon
- Sessions include parents and children
Contact:
English 
Spanish