News and Updates
Senator Harrell and Rep. Roth Present $300,000 in State Funding to Center for Child Counseling
NEWS RELEASE
September 11, 2023
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com
Senator Harrell and Rep. Roth Present $300,000 in State Funding to Center for Child Counseling
Meeting the mental health crisis and staffing frontline responders.
The data is alarming: In 2021, 41.5% of Palm Beach County high school students reported that they felt hopeless, and 20.7% of total high school students seriously contemplated suicide (PBC Youth Behavioral Health Survey). Florida Senator Gayle Harrell (District 31) and Florida Representative Rick Roth (District 94) presented a check for $300,000 to the Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) on Friday, September 8, 2023, in response to the children’s mental health crisis.
In conjunction with the check presentation, there was a discussion related to how the appropriations will be used to mitigate the crisis. The Center serves around 7,000 children and families each year in Palm Beach County, and there is still a waitlist. The funding will directly address the extreme backlog of 800 children on average waiting for services from the Center. The project will build a department of frontline responders–mental health and program specialists–to immediately support children and adolescents waiting for care right now. The approach also focuses on building caregiver and community capacity to support children’s mental health.
According to the Center’s CEO Renée Layman, “No child in crisis belongs on a waitlist when a parent or caregiver has reached out for help.
With this funding, mental health and program specialists will provide immediate triage and care for the children and families waiting for services from Center for Child Counseling.
In Senator Harrell’s address to the more than twenty mental health specialists and staff in the room, she emphasized the work the State of Florida is doing with respect to the resources allocated to our schools but recognized that the need of addressing children’s mental health extends beyond the schools.
“I think early intervention is absolutely the key, and the way to go…We need more mental health counselors. We need more therapists who are really frontline…We need therapists to do treatment and that is essential,” stated Senator Harrell.
One in four children in Florida is experiencing a mental health or behavioral concern: “It is crucial that we address this crisis, for the immediate and long-term well-being and resilience of Florida’s children and families,” added Layman.
The Center has transformed the approach to mental health care–using a public health framework of prevention, early intervention, and treatment to address the current crisis and build capacity for the future. It includes tiered implementation of services that prevent adverse childhood experiences, provide early intervention to mitigate mental health concerns and trauma, and support children and families in crisis. Services are provided where children, adolescents, and families need them most–in-person (office, school, home, and community based) and virtual activities, including: mental health support groups and education; 1:1 mental health consultation for parents and adult caregivers; and a campaign to educate the wider community on how to support children’s mental health and resilience. Prevention services include community and statewide education for parents and adult caregivers on specific mental health topics to build the ability of all adults to support children’s mental health and well-being.
Layman expressed her gratitude to both Senator Harrell and Rep. Roth, “We are so proud of this and so grateful to you for making this happen. This is a big dream that you’re making a reality; so, thank you. For the kids that we’re serving, it means everything.”
Senator Harrell is the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and Rep. Roth is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
About Center for Child Counseling
Since 1999, Center for Child Counseling has been building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children and families in Palm Beach County. Its services focus on preventing and healing the effects of adverse experiences and toxic stress on children, promoting resiliency and healthy family, school, and community relationships. For more information visit, centerforchildcounseling.org.
Twitter: @ChildCounselPBC Facebook: @CenterforChildCounseling Instagram: @childcounselpbc
PHOTO ID:
Photo credit: Tracey Benson Photography
(L-R) Florida Representative Rick Roth, Florida Senator Gayle Harrell, CEO of Center for Child Counseling Renée Layman, and lobbyist Matt Spritz stand with $300,000 check presented to the Center to help with the children’s mental health crisis.
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Morgridge Family Safeguards Children with Support to Center for Child Counseling
NEWS RELEASE
July 3, 2023
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com
Morgridge Family Safeguards Children with Support to Center for Child Counseling $39,000 grant expands Stay KidSafe!™ program to prevent child sexual abuse.
[Palm Beach Gardens, FL]–The Center for Child Counseling has been awarded a generous grant of $39,600 from the Morgridge Family Foundation. This significant contribution will empower the Center to expand its Stay KidSafe!™ program, aimed at preventing child sexual abuse and trafficking by providing robust education and awareness.
The Center for Child Counseling specializes in offering expert care and support to children who have experienced unspeakable and heartbreaking trauma, such as sexual abuse, violence, human trafficking, and exploitation. Tragically, many of these incidents could be prevented with increased awareness and understanding of the warning signs. Stay KidSafe!™ seeks to address this critical need through online training designed to provide students and educators with the awareness and knowledge needed to prevent child sexual abuse. The curriculum, developed by a team of sexual abuse prevention experts with decades of experience, utilizes engaging, child-friendly content, including professionally animated videos and age-appropriate safety skills and lessons.
Recently, Impact the Palm Beaches awarded a grant for the Center to provide Palm Beach County schools and childcare centers with Stay KidSafe–impacting more than 7,000 children and more than 4,000 adults in the county. The Morgridge Family Foundation’s grant supports the implementation of this curriculum with toolkits for schools, caregivers, and child-serving organizations. The branded toolkits include books, posters, visual aids, and awareness materials that empower adults to become active participants in preventing and stopping sexual predators and human traffickers.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child is safe and protected. The Center for Child Counseling’s impactful Stay KidSafe!™ program plays a critical role in safeguarding the most vulnerable children,” said Carrie Morgridge, co-founder of the Morgridge Family Foundation. “We are proud to provide additional resources to further strengthen the Center’s programs and expand its impact. Together, we will pave the way for a brighter, safer future.”
The outreach initiative and educational materials aim to create a culture of safety and awareness for families and schools, protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. This grant support, coupled with the Center’s strong community partnerships, further amplifies the impact of the Stay KidSafe!™ program, ensuring that the education and resources are readily available to all child serving organizations and schools at no cost.
“We are immensely grateful for the Morgridge Family Foundation’s generous grant,” said Renée Layman, CEO of the Center for Child Counseling. “This funding will allow us to enhance the efficacy and reach of Stay KidSafe!™, making a significant impact in ensuring every child grows up feeling safe. Together, we are working to create a society where every child is protected from harm and can thrive.”
For more information about the Center for Child Counseling and their programs, please visit www.centerforchildcounseling.org.
About Center for Child Counseling:
Center for Child Counseling has been building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children and families in Palm Beach County since 1999. Its services focus on preventing and healing the effects of adverse experiences and toxic stress on children, promoting resiliency and healthy family, school, and community relationships. www.centerforchildcounseling.org Twitter: @ChildCounselPBC Facebook: @CenterforChildCounseling Instagram: @childcounselpbc
About Morgridge Family Foundation:
The Morgridge Family Foundation (MFF) invests in leaders and organizations that are reimagining solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges. The problems of the 21st century can’t be compartmentalized. Neither can MFF’s work. By bringing different sectors to the table, the foundation creates meaningful connections that foster innovation as a vehicle for systematic change. MFF offers vision, community, and resources to support a network of partners achieving their profound impact. Morgridgefamilyfoundation.org
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This #teamworkthursday is dedicated to AmeriHealth Caritas Florida for their incredible dedication to the children and families in our community.☀️
Their contributions support parent trainings, play therapy kits, and our Lead the Fight Series. Thank you, Amerihealth Caritas! 💙
#thankyou #childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #ACES #AdverseChildhoodExperiences #PACES #resilience #traumainformed #palmbeachcounty #parenting #AWOB
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Thank you for your kind words!
Research shows that integrating mental health screening and services into pediatric primary care settings is key for nurturing a child's well-being.🔑
Our Pediatric Integration program joins forces with Palm Beach Pediatrics to provide screenings, early intervention, treatment, and support. 👩⚕️
To learn more, visit: www.centerforchildcounseling.org//programs/pediatricintegration/
#childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #AWOB #pediatricintegration #traumainformed #resilience #ACES #AdverseChildhoodExperiences
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We had a great time hosting the September Florida Association for Infant Mental Health Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter meeting.☀️
You can be part of this amazing community of mental health professionals making a difference in the lives of infants and their families! Visit www.faimh.org to become a member today! 💚 #teamworkthursday
#infantmentalhealth #faimh #childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthprofessional #ACES #traumainformed #resilience #palmbeachcounty #treasurecoast #AWOB Florida Association for Infant Mental Health
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We're thrilled to announce that we've achieved the Nonprofits First reaccreditation for Excellence in Nonprofit Management! 🏆
This accreditation is a symbol of our commitment to managing our non-profit with honesty and integrity. Here's to striving for excellence in all that we do to support the children and families in our community. ☀️
#childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #nonprofitorganization #accreditation #palmbeachcounty #resilience #traumainformed #AWOB #ACES #AdverseChildhoodExperiences
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5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations!!
Congrats!
Congratulations🥂🎉
Great job! Congratulations!
Thank you Jessica and the entire team at Nonprofits First - you make us better! Proud of our reaccreditation!
Could the youth sleep crisis be at the heart of the children's mental health crisis? 🤔
Dive into this CBS article to understand how our children's sleep patterns impact their mental well-being. 😴
www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/lack-of-sleep-behind-youth-mental-health-crisis-expert-say/
#childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #traumainformed #resilience #parenting #AWOB
CDC: Children face 'sleep crisis' with potential impacts on mental health
According to the CDC, at least 50 percent of middle schoolers and 75 percent of high school students are not getting the proper amount of sleep on a daily basis.
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Thanks to a generous contribution from our state legislature, our team will be able to make an incredible impact on the current mental health crisis in our community. ☀️👏
Tune into this WPBF 25 News feature to see how Senator Gayle Harrell and Representative Rick Roth's contribution will make an impact.
www.wpbf.com/article/center-for-child-counseling-florida-palm-beach-county-receives-dollar300000/...
#childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #palmbeachcounty #mentalhealthadvocate #resilience #traumainformed #AWOB #ACES #AdverseChildhoodExperiences Senator Gayle Harrell Representative Rick Roth
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Center for Child Counseling in Palm Beach Gardens receives $300,000
www.wpbf.com
Organization leaders say this appropriation from the state legislature will go along way to addressing the mental health crisis among children and families in Florida.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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