About Us

Los Alamos Family Council is more than a counseling center. LAFC also operates the two Youth Activity Centers.

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 since 1982. The program provides regular as well as "drop in", supervised programs at no cost for youth in grades 3-8. Last year there were over 14,000 visits. The YAC is open every day after school, during school vacations and during the summer.

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 two programs that make up LAFC.

Los Alamos Family Council incorporated in 1962 as a small counseling center. We have expanded to include substance abuse and youth programs.

Funding at LAFC Counseling Center is from the Department of Health/OptumHealth, 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 for those who are self pay based on the Department of Health income 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). We are located in Los Alamos but serve clients from the entire region.