About Us

Los Alamos Family Council is more than a counseling center. LAFC also operates two other programs: the Youth Activity Centers and Community Health Council.

The Youth Activity Centers are a natural part of LAFC's mission to enhance the quality of life through prevention of substance use and abuse. The programming focus of the Activity Centers is on youth resiliency, a safe, supervised environment and positive adult role models. There are two Youth Activity Centers (YAC)-one in Los Alamos on the east side of Ashley Pond and one in White Rock located near Rocket Park. Paul Martinez has been the director of the YACs for 25 years. The program provides regular as well as "drop in", supervised programs at no cost for youth in grades 3-8. In 2007, there were over 12,000 visits. The YAC is open every day after school, during school vacations and during the summer.

Also in support of the LAFC mission, the Community Health Council is a collaboration of community members and agencies which works on education, prevention and advocacy. Michelangelo Lobato is the coordinator of this multi-faceted collaboration which sponsors a phone-in resource center and special programs identified by an annual community needs assessment. In 2007, the programs selected by the county-wide council are Restorative Justice and Prevention of Underage Drinking.

The Counseling Center supports the mission with emphasis on counseling, education and prevention. The Counseling Center is the original core of LAFC services and continues to offer a full range of behavioral health services for Los Alamos and surrounding counties. Cheryl Pongratz is the Program Director for the Counseling Center.

LAFC is governed by an active Board of Directors, an Executive Director (Joy Beery) and Program Directors for the three programs that make up LAFC.

Los Alamos Family Council incorporated in 1962 as a Community Mental Health Center. When "official" licensure became available from the State in 2000, we applied for and were named the Community Mental Health Center for Los Alamos County.

Funding at LAFC Counseling Center is from private insurance companies plus client co-pays, Department of Health/Value Options, Children Youth and Families, grants from Los Alamos County, Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Northern New Mexico Health Grant Group, United Way, and donations from private donors. There is a sliding scale for co-pays or for those who are self pay based on the Department of Health financial levels. Extremely flexible payment plans are possible. Ancillary services that are needed but not covered under a client's insurance are often provided at no charge (such as psychosocial rehabilitation or case management). We are located in Los Alamos but serve clients from the entire region.