About OTTP-NorCal

25 years of healing through doing

OTTP-NorCal is a community-based, trauma-informed youth mental health organization serving children, youth, and young adults ages 3–25 across Northern California. We bring mental health services directly to the communities that need them most.

Our mission

To provide client-centered, strengths-based, and culturally responsive mental health services that empower youth to heal, grow, and build meaningful futures — through the therapeutic power of doing.

20,000+ Youth served since 1999

90+ Staff members

25+ Years of service

3 offices SF, Oakland & Sacramento

Who we are today

A thriving organization built on 25 years of community trust

OTTP-NorCal has grown from two occupational therapists in a broom closet to a team of over 90 licensed mental health professionals serving more than 1,000 youth and families every year. We have offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento, and our programs operate across more than 100 locations throughout Northern California.

Our multidisciplinary team includes occupational therapists, marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, MSWs, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners — all united by a shared commitment to client-centered, trauma-informed care.

We provide a comprehensive range of services rooted in a community-based approach that meets youth where they are — in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.

Prevention & early intervention

Individual & family therapy

School-based mental health support

Therapeutic groups

Workforce development

Employment support

Case management

Aftercare & follow-up support

OTTP-NorCal staff outside the Juvenile Justice Center

Our history

How we got here

1940s

Where It All Began

Our umbrella organization, Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG), began during World War II as a result of the Los Angeles “zoot suit riots.” SSG's first years offered outreach services to self-identified members of gangs in Los Angeles.

In 1952, after eight years of operating programs for teenagers, Special Service for Groups incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

1975

Inception of OTTP-LA

In 1975, the Occupational Therapy Training Program (OTTP) in Los Angeles was developed by Cindy Paulson, a master's level OT student from USC. Her program focused on teaching youth in the juvenile justice system pre-vocational and healthy coping skills.

Youth achieved such positive outcomes that the program was embraced under SSG and grew into a full organization. OTTP-LA continues to thrive in Torrance, CA under the direction of Suzanne Afuso, MS, OTR/L, serving thousands of youth annually throughout Los Angeles County.

1999

Expansion to San Francisco

OTTP expanded to San Francisco in January 1999 when Colleen Devine, MS, OTR/L transitioned from her role as OTTP-LA's Division Director. The goal was to bring OTTP's unique services and models to underserved youth in San Francisco.

OTTP-NorCal began with Colleen and one other occupational therapist, funded through a TANF grant from the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department. Together, they cleaned out a broom closet at Ida B. Wells High School — the division's first office — and provided mental health, pre-vocational, and life-skills services to 50 students annually.

Today

OTTP-NorCal Today

What started as two people in a broom closet has grown into a team of over 90 staff members with offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. Since 1999, we have served over 20,000 children, youth, and young adults across Northern California.

Our therapeutic activities are hands-on, engaging, and personally meaningful to every client we serve. It's why we say we are “healing through doing.”