Mara James, the founder and CEO of Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF) – a nonprofit organization focused on improving children’s mental health and wellness – was recently appointed to the Orange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
Laguna Niguel resident Mara James brings experience as a nonprofit professional in children’s mental health along with having family members with mental health challenges. In her new role on the advisory board, she’ll work on a committee for Student Mental Health, focused on students struggling emotionally due to the pandemic, and the pandemic’s impact on children and youth through county and OC Department of Education collaborations.
“I am excited to join the board and use my personal experience with mental health and my passion to help shape the county’s system of care,” said James.
Mental Health Boards and Commissions were created in 1957 when California passed the Short-Doyle Act that made counties responsible for providing treatment for the mentally ill through a community-based mental health system. It is composed of 15 community leaders to help provide oversight of the administration and one Orange County Board of Supervisor.
For more information visit, www.ochealthinfo.com or for additional information about ELF, visit www.elfempowers.org.
Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF)
ELF’s mission is to improve children’s mental health and wellness and support families by providing educational tools, resources and awareness events. Founded in 2015, ELF aims to destigmatize mental health challenges and to increase awareness to normalize conversation and encourage families to reach out for help. Their educational resources help parents, educators, and health care providers increase children’s emotional development through Piggie Bear’s fundamental lessons while the HUGS For Life Healing Center offers educational webinars and healing resources.
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Barbara Kimler
