SHIELDS for Families
SHIELDS for Families is a Los Angeles-based 501c3 nonprofit delivering drug addiction treatment, mental health, child welfare, housing, and education services through 39 programs across 16 South LA locations, serving more than 7,000 families annually via LA County government contracts and private foundation grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SHIELDS for Families does
SHIELDS for Families, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered at 11601 S. Western Avenue in Los Angeles, founded in 1991 by Xylina Bean, Kathryn Icenhower, and Norma Mtume in response to a drug-exposed infant crisis at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center. The organization delivers community-based social services across five divisions: Substance Use Disorder Treatment (Genesis Program for parenting women, ARK Program for adults, Revelation Dual Diagnosis for adolescents), Mental Health Services (Adult, Children's, Birth-Five, School-Linked, Juvenile Justice, Specialty, Clinical), Family and Child Welfare (Welcome Baby, Home Visitation, Family Preservation, Fatherhood), Community and Supportive Services (Jericho Vocational Services Center, Food Bank, Housing, Coordinated Entry System, Place of Family), and Education Services (College Bridge Academy charter high school). Programs are delivered through 39 interlocking offerings across 16 physical locations including residential facilities such as Keith Village (86-unit) and the Jericho Training Center.
The organization serves 7,000+ families annually (some sources cite 10,000+ individuals and families) in South Los Angeles, with services delivered in English and Spanish via walk-ins, county agency referrals, and community organization partnerships. It is not a technology company: its 'core technology' is a social services delivery model — family-centered treatment that addresses the whole family rather than the individual. Outcome metrics include success rates over 3x the national average for SUD treatment, 50% reduction in foster care placements in Compton within the first year of its UFA/POE model implementation, and approximately $100 million in documented LA County cost savings.
SHIELDS generates revenue exclusively from federal, state, and local government contracts (LA County DMH, DCFS, Probation, DPH-SAPC, First 5 LA, DPSS CalWorks) plus private foundation grants (Specialty Family Foundation, California Community Foundation) and tax-deductible donations. It holds a Candid Gold Seal (2024) and a C. Everett Koop National Health Award (1995), and has been featured on VH1 Celebrity Rehab and in the SAMHSA-funded documentary 'Bring Them All.' Services are provided at no cost to eligible families. The organization has no parent company, no equity investors, no subsidiaries, and no patents or trademarks on file.
SHIELDS for Families firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SHIELDS for Families
- Legal name
- SHIELDS for Families, Inc.
- Website
- https://shieldsforfamilies.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- SHIELDS for Families is a Los Angeles-based 501c3 nonprofit delivering drug addiction treatment, mental health, child welfare, housing, and education services through 39 programs across 16 South LA locations, serving more than 7,000 families annually via LA County government contracts and private foundation grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SHIELDS for Families industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), Infant & Toddler Health, Safety & Safeguarding Programs (EDACAGAL)
Keywords
Where SHIELDS for Families is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
SHIELDS for Families business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: SHIELDS generates revenue from federal, state, and local government funding sources including LA County Department of Mental Health, LA County Department of Child and Family Services, LA County Department of Probation, LA County Department of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, First 5 LA, DPSS Cal Works, California Home Visitation Program, and various other government grants and contracts.
- Private Foundation Grants: Funding from private foundations including Specialty Family Foundation, California Community Foundation, and others.
- Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals; 501c3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID # 95-4336420)
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
SHIELDS for Families product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SHIELDS for Families is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers community-based social services across five divisions: substance use disorder treatment, mental and behavioral health, family and child welfare, community/supportive services, and education. Programs serve high-risk children, adults, and families in South Los Angeles through 39 programs across 16 locations, funded primarily by government contracts and grants and delivered at no cost to eligible families.
Product overview
SHIELDS for Families is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of social services organized across five main divisions. The organization operates Substance Use Disorder Treatment programs (Genesis Program for adult women with children, ARK Program for adults, and Revelation Dual Diagnosis Program for adolescents), Mental Health Services (Adult Mental Health, CalWORKS IPS Supported Employment, Birth-Five, Children's Mental Health, School-Linked, Juvenile Justice, Specialty, and Clinical Services), Family and Child Welfare Services (Welcome Baby, Home Visitation, Healthy Families America, Parents as Teachers, Healthy Start, Child Development Center, Heros & Sheros, Family Preservation, MAT, and Fatherhood), Community and Supportive Services (Jericho Vocational Services Center, Food Bank, Housing Services, Coordinated Entry System, Place of Family), and Education Services (College Bridge Academy charter school). Programs are collaborative and comprehensive, serving more than 7,000 families annually through 39 programs across 16 locations in South Los Angeles, with services spanning child and youth development, child welfare, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and supportive services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Jericho Training Center: Vocational services center providing job readiness, training, mentoring, and placement opportunities for ex-offenders and LA County residents
- Keith Village
- College Bridge Academy
- Genesis Program
Products and services
- Genesis Program Outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment for adult parenting women with children 0-18, with services in English and Spanish and integrated Child Development Center access.
- ARK Program Substance use disorder treatment for adults from the general community, General Relief, AB 109 re-entry, Drug Court programs, adults with open DCFS cases, and adults on probation or parole; certified by California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
- Revelation Dual Diagnosis Program Dual diagnosis treatment for adolescents aged 12-20 experiencing substance use and mental health disorders, with most participants referred from the Department of Probation.
- Adult Mental Health Behavioral health services for single adults or adult parents, integrated as a component of SUD services, family services, and child welfare programs; walk-ins and community referrals accepted.
- CalWORKS Individual Placement and Support (IPS) – Supported Employment Employment program helping individuals with mental health needs find and maintain competitive employment using a strengths-based, client-centered approach that integrates mental health and employment services.
- Birth-Five Program Mental health services for children ages 0-5 provided by clinicians trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, integrated into Healthy Start, Welcome Baby, Home Visitation, and Substance Abuse Treatment programs.
- Children's Mental Health Individual, family, and group mental health services for youth 5-18 years old through community-based referrals, including direct assistance through school partnerships.
- School-Linked Mental Health Services Therapists and case managers providing classroom intervention, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, targeted case management, and after-school programming through partnerships with LA Education Corps, Compton Unified, Lynwood Unified, LA Unified, Paramount Unified, and Archdiocese of Los Angeles schools.
- Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Services Behavioral health services for children and youth involved or at risk of involvement with the LA County Juvenile Justice system using Multi-Systemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy, including a Day Reporting Center for probation-referred youth.
- Welcome Baby Free program for pregnant and parenting women and their children ages 0-5 serving South Los Angeles families who deliver at St. Francis Medical Center, Centinela Hospital, or Martin Luther King Community Hospital.
- Home Visitation At-risk family support using Healthy Families America and Parents as Teachers models for pregnant or parenting women and children ages 0-5, referred through Welcome Baby, CalWorks, and LA County programs.
- Healthy Start Services for pregnant and inter-conceptional women and children ages 0-18 months residing in the South Los Angeles community.
- Child Development Center Services for children ages 0-5 whose parents are enrolled in SHIELDS programs, integrated with substance use treatment and other services.
- Heros & Sheros Youth Development Program Prevention, early intervention, and mental health program for children and adolescents established in 1991, addressing high risk of alcohol and drug use among children of parents with substance use disorders.
- Family Preservation Support for at-risk families to prevent child abuse and neglect since 1992, serving families referred by DCFS and Probation to prevent abuse, achieve reunification, adoption, or guardianship, and improve child development outcomes.
- MAT (Multidisciplinary Assessment Team) Assessment services for families and children ages 0-21 involved with DCFS to identify needs that may place families at risk of long-term separation.
- Fatherhood Program Groups, support, and linkages for fathers and father figures to learn parenting tools, receive family resources, and develop community with other enrolled fathers.
- Jericho Vocational Services Center (JVSC) One-stop model providing vocational and educational training, mentoring, case management, supportive and linkage services for LA County residents 18 years and older, with specialized services for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.
- Jericho Food Bank Weekly food distribution every Thursday providing nonperishable items, meat, fruit, rice, and more to families in need.
- Time Limited Subsidy Housing services helping families and individuals living on streets or in emergency shelters overcome practical challenges to obtaining permanent housing and reducing time experiencing homelessness.
- Family Solution Center (FSC) Collaboration assisting homeless families in obtaining mental health, employment, and permanent housing services.
- Place of Family DUI and domestic violence facility serving Los Angeles County residents in English and Spanish, offering anger management services for men and women.
- College Bridge Academy Charter high school grades 9-12 targeting youth who have dropped out or are having difficulty in traditional school system, providing wrap-around services with family integral to service delivery.
- Jericho Training Center Job readiness, training, mentoring, and placement program for ex-offenders providing comprehensive services including case management, resource linkages, educational opportunities, and construction skills training.
- Kinship in Action Program (KIA) Advocacy program for relative caregivers in South LA fighting for more resources and improved family care through community organizing and training.
- ASK Program Program providing on-site legal services to participants three days per week in partnership with Public Counsel's Immigrants' Rights Project.
- 12 to 20 Week Batterer's Intervention Program Domestic violence intervention program offered to Court, Probation, Parole, and Department of Children and Family Services clients required to attend less than a 52-week program.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3x national average success rate for substance use disorder treatment
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SHIELDS for Families
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SHIELDS for Families technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SHIELDS for Families partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC)coreSHIELDS has partnered with SCLARC to build effective referral services for clients with developmental disabilities. SHIELDS provides services through SCLARC which is a comprehensive resource for evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, advocacy, and support for people diagnosed with developmental disabilities.
- Mental Health Assessment and Support Project (MHASP)coreSHIELDS partnered with MHASP to build effective referral services to SCLARC clients with developmental disabilities.
- Three Cohens ConstructioncoreCollaboration with Three Cohens Construction for Construction Skills training at Jericho Training Center. Co-founder Andre Jamal Cohen refers to the course as 'light construction' covering basic skills such as drywall, painting, texturing, taping measurements, safety, and floor installation.
- Community CoalitioncoreCommunity Coalition commissioned SHIELDS to provide mental health services to relative caregivers and the community. Partnership to assist in cultivating Kinship in Action Program (KIA) for relative caregivers in South LA.
- Five Keys Charter SchoolssupportingPartner in providing educational services through community services programs.
- Los Angeles Regional Food BanksupportingPartner providing food bank services - Jericho Food Bank opens every Thursday to families in need providing nonperishable items, meat, fruit, rice, and more.
- PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)supportingPartner in community services programs providing housing and homeless services.
- International Brotherhood of TeamsterssupportingPartner in community services programs.
- Free ArtssupportingPartner in behavioral health services for children.
- Claris HealthsupportingPartner in behavioral health services.
- Vision to LearnsupportingPartner providing vision services to children through behavioral health programs.
- School on WheelssupportingPartner providing educational support to children in behavioral health programs.
- Public CounselsupportingPartnership with Public Counsel's Immigrants' Rights Project providing on-site legal services to SHIELDS participants at ASK program in Lynwood, 3 days per week for 6 years.
- Baby 2 BabysupportingPartner providing essential items to families in family services programs.
- LA Best Babies NetworksupportingPartner supporting early childhood development programs.
- Good+FoundationsupportingPartner supporting family services programs.
- Young People in Recovery (YPR-LA)supportingCollaborated on Keith Village Apartments beautification project - teen volunteers landscaped and planted gardens.
- Lifestyle LandscapesupportingLandscape architecture partner for Keith Village Apartments beautification project.
- 1736 Crisis Family HousingsupportingPartner in community services and housing programs.
- WLCAC (Watts Labor Community Action Committee)supportingPartner in community services programs.
- SCHARPsupportingPartner in community services programs.
- Upward Bound HousesupportingPartner in community services and housing programs.
- Heidi Duckler DancesupportingPartner in community services programs.
- Creation World SafetysupportingPartner in community services programs.
- Career ExpansionsupportingPartner in community services programs.
- HOPICSsupportingPartner in community services and housing programs.
- Para Los NiñossupportingPartner in child welfare services.
- Drew Child DevelopmentsupportingPartner in child welfare services.
- Personal Involvement CentersupportingPartner in child welfare services.
- Healthy Families AmericasupportingNationally recognized home visitation program model used by SHIELDS targeting overburdened families at-risk for child abuse and neglect.
- Parents as TeacherssupportingEarly childhood parent education and family support program model used by SHIELDS for families from pregnancy up to child's 5th birthday.
- Island TechnologiessupportingWeb development and technology consultancy serving SHIELDS for Families website and digital infrastructure.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SHIELDS for Families competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Bienestar Human Services: LA-based nonprofit delivering culturally tailored mental health, SUD, and social services primarily to Latino communities; comparable population and county contract base though geographically broader.
- Children's Bureau: Southern California nonprofit providing family preservation, foster care, and adoption services; comparable child welfare footprint though operating across multiple counties beyond LA.
Direct peers
- Para Los Niños: LA-based nonprofit providing mental health, early childhood education, and family services to at-risk families; existing SHIELDS partner with overlapping child welfare and behavioral health contracts in the same SPA 6 geography.
- HOPICS (Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System): South LA nonprofit delivering housing, behavioral health, and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness; existing SHIELDS partner through community services programming.
- Behavioral Health Services (BHS): LA-area community-based nonprofit offering substance abuse treatment, mental health, and primary care through county contracts; directly comparable service portfolio to SHIELDS' Genesis and ARK programs.
- Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC): Long-standing South LA nonprofit delivering youth development, family services, and community programming; existing SHIELDS partner with overlapping catchment and county contracts.
- Didi Hirsch Psychiatric Services: LA-based nonprofit delivering mental health and substance use treatment including suicide prevention; competes for similar LA County DMH and SAPC contracts as SHIELDS.
- Tarzana Treatment Centers: Large LA County nonprofit providing residential and outpatient SUD, mental health, and primary care to vulnerable populations; comparable scale and funding mix to SHIELDS.
- JWCH Institute: LA-based nonprofit providing primary care, behavioral health, and housing services to underserved populations; competes for similar County and federal funding streams as SHIELDS.
- St. John's Well Child and Family Center: South LA FQHC providing integrated primary care, mental health, and family services through county and federal grants; comparable community-based integrated services model to SHIELDS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SHIELDS for Families social profiles
Digital presenceSHIELDS for Families compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SHIELDS for Families financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SHIELDS for Families leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
SHIELDS for Families funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SHIELDS for Families M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SHIELDS for Families
What does SHIELDS for Families do?
SHIELDS for Families is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers community-based social services across five divisions: substance use disorder treatment, mental and behavioral health, family and child welfare, community/supportive services, and education. Programs serve high-risk children, adults, and families in South Los Angeles through 39 programs across 16 locations, funded primarily by government contracts and grants and delivered at no cost to eligible families.
Is SHIELDS for Families a public or private company?
SHIELDS for Families is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SHIELDS for Families founded?
SHIELDS for Families was founded in 1991. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is SHIELDS for Families based?
SHIELDS for Families is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does SHIELDS for Families make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Foundation Grants and donations.
Who are SHIELDS for Families's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Bienestar Human Services and Children's Bureau. Direct peers are Para Los Niños, HOPICS (Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System), Behavioral Health Services (BHS), Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC), Didi Hirsch Psychiatric Services, Tarzana Treatment Centers, JWCH Institute and St. John's Well Child and Family Center.
Does SHIELDS for Families have an API?
No public API is recorded for SHIELDS for Families.
What industry is SHIELDS for Families in?
SHIELDS for Families's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAC, Family & Parenting Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAE, Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.