Model and Strategy
The purpose of the Ma’at Program is to improve behavioral health outcomes for Black/African American children, youth, and families in San Francisco and address the historical legacy of intergenerational racism, inequity and trauma. Our vision is to support families to passionately and unconditionally affirm Blackness.
Ma’at uses a whole-person approach to provide Afri-centric, culturally responsive, heartfelt, behavioral health care. We provide effective treatment to increase equity of access at no cost to clients.
Through Afri-centric mental health therapy, provided by therapists of African descent, we help children and families improve mental health and functioning, reduce symptoms, increase coping skills and improve relationships with families, schools, peers and community. We successfully engage caregivers and children through a warm, relationship-based approach, and partner with them to problem-solve, identify areas of strength and set goals. This approach empowers families and helps them view us as trusted partners.
Ma’at includes case management to help clients achieve milestones in areas such as job readiness, housing stability, education, and meeting basic needs.
Impact
The Ma’at Program reaches more than 530 children, youth and family members each year with services including direct mental health therapy, collateral support, case management, workshops and healing circles. We target highly vulnerable, underserved Black/African American children, youth, and families throughout San Francisco including otherwise disconnected youth and members of the LGBTQ community.
Clients are typically seen once per week for an average of six months, however there are no limitations on service and we will continue to see clients for as long as necessary. Therapists follow families across agencies, service settings, and neighborhoods and are a source of ongoing stability in times of tremendous stress and transition, for as long as needed.
The program has its most significant impact on families who have refused services in every other setting. These are the hardest-to-reach children and their caregivers, who are most in need of mental health support. Afri-centric therapy, as part of Ma’at’s whole-person approach to wellness, has the power to interrupt the cycle of poverty and violence and change the trajectories of Black families for generations to come.
Leadership
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Dr. April Silas
Executive Director