The past week has been gut wrenching. Words can’t even being to adequately describe what black children, families, and communities are going through right now.
At Center for Child Counseling, the foundation of our mission is working with our partners to build healthier, safer, more nurturing families and communities — where all children have the opportunity to thrive. To truly achieve this mission, we must address the trauma and deep pain related to systemic racism.
Our black families and communities are in pain. And, although the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others are currently placing a much-needed spotlight on systemic racism in our country, this pain has been a part of black families and communities for generations.
As we struggle with racism, compounded by grief and loss from the pandemic, trauma is at the front and center. For young children, these experiences are scary and leave a lasting impression. The current state of the world does not make our young black and brown children feel the safety they should. They deserve to feel safe and protected, especially by those in authority. Until we get to the root of systemic racism, many issues will remain unresolved in our society, especially the mental health of our children.
At this time, we have the unique opportunity to learn by deepening our self-awareness, listening, confronting our biases so we can add value and become a part of the solution. Recently, I found words in a New York Times article that resonated with me: “We must begin to transform the concept of resilience from an individual trait to one that describes a community — and society — that cares for everyone. Rather than hoping a child is tough enough to endure the insurmountable, we must build resilient places — healthier, safer, more nurturing and just — where all children can thrive. This is where prevention and healing begin.” So much of what we do in mental health focuses on ‘fixing’ the child or family. As mental health experts and leaders in our community, we must be advocates for changing the systems that keep problems and community trauma in place. We must be vocal about how racism impacts the mental health of our black and brown children throughout their lifespan. We must create safe places for children to express themselves and heal.
We will not be silent about the impact of racism on children’s mental health and well-being. Today, and every day, Center for Child Counseling stands with our friends, partners, and nonprofit organizations around Palm Beach County and the nation to speak out against racism. We adhere to the Diversity-Informed Tenets for work with infants, children and families. I encourage our staff, partners, and community to speak up and take peaceful, determined action to push for positive change at a systemic level so our children can grow up free from racism and free from the fear of losing their loved ones.
Renée Layman, President & CEO
Center for Child Counseling
RESOURCES
Talking with Our Kids About Race
Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup
The National Museum of African American History and Culture—Talking About Race
This online portal helps families, individuals, and communities talk about racism and commit to being antiracist.
Color of Change—Sign a Petition to End Violent Policing Against Black People
Sign this petition calling for the end of police violence against Black people.
Black Futures Lab
The Black Futures Lab transforms Black communities into active, interdependent, responsive public partners that change the way power operates—at the local, state, and national level.
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) is America’s premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
Color of Change:11 Things To Do Besides Say ‘This Has To Stop’ In The Wake Of Police Brutality
– Brittany Wong
Zero to Three: Resource to Talk to Young Children About Racism
Sesame Street: Standing Up to Racism Town Hall for Families and Children
Anti-Racism Resources
– Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein
How Racism Makes Us Sick
– David R. Williams
Structural Racism is a Public Health Crisis
– Kesha Moore
Of the eight grants awarded this cycle, Quantum Foundation allocated $250,000 to the Center for Child Counseling (CCC) for the organization's work with ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). CCC is considered the leader in ACEs and Trauma Informed Training and is driving the conversation on ACEs in Palm Beach County. The grant will help support staff positions to provide educational workshops, training and consultation for teachers, caregivers and professionals about ACEs, trauma, and integration of effective strategies to promote buffers and lifelong health for babies and young children.
We are pleased to announce that Kerry Jamieson has joined our team as Director of Community and Public Relations! Kerry was born in Durban, South Africa and received an undergraduate degree in English and History from the University of Miami and a postgraduate qualification in screenwriting from UCLA.
We are pleased to anounce that Dr. Jennifer Konsker, pediatrician, has joined the Board of Directors at Center for Child Counseling.
Director and Audit Committee Chairwoman, Madeline Morris, MBA/CPA is a seasoned professional with a 40-year proven track record of assisting clients. Her areas of focus have been in the enhancement of Corporate Governance, designing and implementing effective risk focused reporting, regulatory, compliance and internal control policies and processes. She is a recently retired Managing Director from 
Director, Jennifer Hume Rodriguez has been in the banking industry for over twenty-three years. She grew up in Malvern, PA a suburb of Philadelphia and attended Penn State University where she received a BA in Liberal Arts. Upon graduating college in 1989, Jennifer chose to move to Florida, first to Jacksonville and then to the West Palm Beach area in 1990. She has been a resident of Palm Beach County for twenty-seven years.
The award honored an executive “whose distinguished achievements have resulted in significant progress toward improving a community issue.” They must also be recognized by their peers as a leader in the sector, demonstrating excellence in leadership and management, and inspiring others to achieve meaningful, measurable, and sustainable results. During her acceptance speech, Ms. Layman touched on the increased demand for the services that Center for Child Counseling provides to at-risk children in the Palm Beach County area: “Unfortunately, there’s so much need in our community, so we continue to provide innovative and evidence-based programming to meet the needs . . . we love what we do.” Center for Child Counseling is filling critical gaps in the services for at-risk children in our community. Under her leadership over the past year, Center for Child Counseling has provided direct services for over 3,000 children – and trained over 3,500 professionals in the educational, medical, and childcare sectors.