The Watts Counseling and Learning Center is a unique community service of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Since 1967, the Center has provided counseling, outreach, and educational services to the residents of Watts and the surrounding communities. Watch the overview video to learn more about the WCLC.

The Need

The Center was established just two years after the 1965 Watts civil unrest, to provide essential mental health and educational resources for the children and families of Watts, regardless of whether or not they are Kaiser Permanente members. The Center’s motto of “helping people grow” supports the philosophy that empowering multi-generational individuals and families to cope with stresses and barriers will ultimately strengthen the community.

In keeping with this year’s 2017 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade® theme, “Echoes of Success,” Kaiser Permanente has announced that it will commemorate the Center’s 50th anniversary with a float celebrating “50 Years of Helping People Grow.” Click here for details about the float.

Our Work:

Counseling Programs

Counseling—The Center provides individual, family, marital, parent-child, and group therapy in English and Spanish.

Kids Can Cope—Children whose parents or siblings have or had cancer or other life-threatening illness can receive innova­tive, specialized counseling and support groups.

School Outreach Services—The Center provides psycho-educational groups at local schools.

Internships—Graduate social work interns receive professional fieldwork education supervised by licensed clinical staff. Partnering schools include the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, California State University at Long Beach and Los Angeles, and Smith College in Massachusetts.

Educational Programs

Educational Therapy—Students with learning difficulties receive educational assessments and individual/small group educational therapy sessions. Special educational advocacy and parent training is also available.

Internships— Graduate educational therapy interns receive professional training supervised by Board Certified staff. Partnering schools include UC Riverside and California State University Northridge.

Outreach Programs

Reading Enrichment—Students participate in weekly sessions that build enthusiasm for reading through various activities and reading materials.

Homework Help Club—Elementary grade students receive after school homework assistance.

Math Tutoring—Elementary through high school students receive individualized math assistance.

Personal Development —Mentoring, goal setting and personal enhancement opportunities are provided for middle school students in a group setting.

Academic Coaching —In partnership with the school and the parent, high school students receive individual/small group academic guidance in order to develop an academic plan with agreed-upon goals and objectives.

College-bound Support Services—High school students receive college planning information through meetings or workshops. In collaboration with The Princeton Review, students planning to take the SAT/ACT exam(s) participate in test preparation courses.

Youth Work Preparation Certificate Program—High school students take part in an annual seven-week program focusing on work skills and health care careers. High school students ages 16 and older participate in a summer youth employment program.

Child Development

Preschool Education for Parents and Children (PEPC) is full day early childhood education program that develops school-readiness skills and motivates preschool children to enjoy learning. PEPC is both state licensed and nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Ongoing parent education groups are also part of the program. Tuition is based on a nominal sliding-scale fee.

Bill Coggins Community Leadership Award

The application due date for the 2024 Bill Coggins Leadership award is April 15th. Please click this link to download the PDF application. Please follow the submission directions on the application. 

Watch the video to learn more about the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center's 50 years of service.