90th Anniversary: an enduring commitment to children

Ninety years ago, a group of forward thinkers, spurred by an interest in the well-being of children, and increasingly convinced of a link between mental and physical health, launched several first-of-their-kind mental health clinics for children in America.

On Feb. 6, 1924, the Los Angeles Times declared in Page One news: "Of far-reaching import to parents and children of Los Angeles, announcement was made yesterday of the establishment of a child guidance clinic in the city." Providing support for the initial eight pilots was the non-profit Commonwealth Fund in New York.

From the beginning, the Child Guidance Clinic of Los Angeles was founded on a commitment to prevention, a sense of innovation, a belief in community partnership, and a multidisciplinary approach— all of which continues nine decades later.