Sending your child to camp? Ask these questions first.

Cara Hansen beKidSafe, Blog, Fighting ACEs PBC, KidSafe, Latest News, News Releases , , , , ,

Op-Ed
April 15, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Sending your child to camp? Ask these questions first. 

By: Cherie Benjoseph, LCSW, Center for Child Counseling director of national outreach and education and creator of the CampSafe® curriculum.

If you could go back to any age, what would it be? For me, it’s easy—I think of my incredible summers at sleepaway camp, starting at age eight. Those experiences were formative, joyful, and unforgettable. I’m a strong supporter of day and residential camp—provided that camp is properly vetted for safety. That’s where you come in.

Are you considering the big step of sending your child to camp for a week, a month, or even an entire summer? Maybe you’re looking at a camp you attended as a child, one recommended by a friend, or one you discovered online. With so many choices, how do you get the answers you really need?

Before making a decision, take a step back. Look beyond glossy websites and highlight reels. Ask yourself: Does this camp truly prioritize safety? And not just physical safety like swimming or sports—but emotional and interpersonal safety as well.

At the Center for Child Counseling, our mission is to empower children and families with lifelong skills—so kids can spread their wings with confidence, and parents can feel secure knowing their children are prepared to navigate challenges. Camp—whether day or overnight—can be an incredible part of that growth.

When researching camps, it’s natural to focus on your child’s interests: sports, theater, horseback riding, STEM, culinary arts, or even location and religious affiliation. These factors matter—but they shouldn’t overshadow the most important question: Is this a safe environment for my child?

Think of choosing a camp the same way you would vet a potential employee. Don’t assume camps are doing thorough screening—ask the tough questions.

What Every Parent Should Ask Before Choosing a Camp

  1. Meet the camp director.
    This is the person responsible for your child’s well-being. Meet in person or via video. Ask:
  • How is staff recruited?
  • What does the screening process include?
  • Are references checked and employment histories verified?
  • What is staff retention like from year to year?
  1. Confirm comprehensive background checks.
    Does the camp conduct national fingerprint-based criminal background checks? Basic checks alone may not reflect thorough vetting.
  1. Verify screening through the National Sex Offender Registry.
    This should apply to everyone on-site—counselors, administrative staff, dining personnel, maintenance, and more.
  1. Review the Child Protection Policy.
    Ask for a copy. This policy should clearly outline:
  • Codes of conduct
  • Policies on sexual misconduct
  • Procedures for reporting and responding to concerns
  1. Ask about staff training.
    Staff should be trained in:
  • Sexual abuse prevention, intervention, and reporting
  • Bullying prevention and response
  • Recognizing and addressing physical and emotional abuse
  1. Understand supervision practices.
    How are staff monitored and supported while they are responsible for campers?
  1. Know the reporting procedures.
    If a camper or staff member has a concern, how is it reported? What follow-up steps are taken?
  1. Confirm state licensing.
    Is the camp licensed? Request documentation.
  1. Look for accreditation.
    Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? Ask to see proof of certification.

Having these conversations will help you determine whether a camp offers more than just fun activities and good food—it will show you whether it is grounded in professionalism, accountability, and a genuine commitment to child safety.

The Center for Child Counseling specializes in training adults who work with children in camp settings. If you’re considering a specific camp, ask whether it is CampSafe® trained. If not, you can share more information with them at: bekidsafe.org/camps.

When it comes to your child, peace of mind should not be optional—it should be part of the package.

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

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Circle of Giving Kickoff Event Advances Children’s Mental Health Through Meaningful Investment

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases , , , , , ,

NEWS RELEASE
April 7, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Community members gather to learn about Center for Child Counseling and drive change for kids. 

Founding members of Center for Child Counseling (CFCC)’s Circle of Giving, Jeff and Jodie Petrone, hosted an inspiring evening on Thursday, March 26, celebrating the community’s shared commitment to supporting children and families affected by trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).


CFCC launched its Circle of Giving, chaired by Melissa Haley, in November 2023 to drive action and change. The Circle unites philanthropists, advocates, and community leaders dedicated to advancing children’s mental health through meaningful investment and strategic action. 

“Together, we turn awareness into tangible change and create lasting pathways to healing for children in our community. We aim to take action and drive advocacy toward a brighter future by forming a circle of love, protection, and healing around our community’s children,” stated Renée Layman, chief executive officer of CFCC. 

Mr. Petrone, treasurer and secretary of the board of directors, shared that there is an increased need across schools, healthcare, and families, and organizations like CFCC are essential to helping address those needs in a thoughtful, evidence-based, and compassionate way.

“Being a founding member of the Circle of Giving has been meaningful because it brings together people who are not only willing to support this work, but who want to understand it more deeply and be part of it. And that’s really what tonight is about—connection, understanding, and shared commitment,” said Mr. Petrone.

For 2026, CFCC reimagined the Circle of Giving experience–offering new opportunities for connection, learning, leadership, and impact. 

According to Haley, “We’ve realized that what makes the Circle special is not just the giving, it’s the relationships, the learning, and the opportunity to see the work up close. As we move forward, we’re focusing on creating a more intentional experience for members.”

As a way to demonstrate this ‘intentional experience,’ guests had the opportunity to tour the Center’s mobile unit–a 25-foot bus that drives the Center’s mental health care services directly to the kids who need it most. It is a moving, healing space that delivers trauma-informed care, prevention tools, and hope to hurting children. The mobile unit eliminates barriers to accessing care and transforms how services are delivered throughout the county: ensuring that no child’s future is determined by their zip code. 

Layman emphasized, “It’s what it looks like when we bring support directly to children and families who might not otherwise receive it. And it’s just one example of how CFCC is working to build a system that responds to children in a different way.” 

The Center’s work is grounded in the understanding that children need safe, supportive relationships and environments to thrive. When those are disrupted, it impacts everything—health, behavior, learning, and long-term outcomes. 

“But we also know something incredibly hopeful—that positive experiences, connection, and support can change that trajectory.”

The kickoff event marked the start of an exciting new chapter for CFCC–one that is being shaped by the Center’s Circle of Giving.

”Tonight is really about recognizing that this work doesn’t happen alone–it happens through partnership. So, thank you for being here, for your interest, and for your willingness to be a part of this Circle,” Layman expressed.

For more information on the Center for Child Counseling and to be a part of a community that is committed to children and families, and to learning and growing together, visit centerforchildcounseling.org/givingcircle. 

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A Child’s Story Doesn’t Have to End the Way it Began

Cara Hansen Blog, Fighting ACEs PBC, Latest News, News Releases , , , , , , , , ,

NEWS RELEASE
April 2, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

A special screening of ‘Resilience’ and community conversation with nonprofit, higher education, and medical leaders gives hope for all children. 

“Children’s lives can be different…the story doesn’t have to end the way it began.” This was the hopeful and resounding message at the recent event Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) hosted at the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Presented in partnership with the LaFrance Project, community members came together to reflect on their shared commitment to preventing and healing childhood adversity. 

The evening featured a screening of the acclaimed documentary Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope and a thought-provoking panel discussion with community experts in the fields of neuroscience, medicine, education, the judicial system, and mental health.

The documentary uncovers one of the most important public health discoveries of our time: the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The film explores how toxic stress can alter brain architecture, increase the risk of chronic disease, and shape the trajectory of children’s lives. Just as importantly, it shines a light on proven solutions that communities are using to break cycles of adversity and build resilience.

Resilience reflects the science that has guided Center for Child Counseling’s Fighting ACEs Initiative for the past decade—revealing how early adversity affects health and development, and how informed, connected communities can create lasting change. The film reinforces a powerful message at the heart of our work: resilience grows when awareness, prevention, and supportive relationships come together.

Over the past decade, CFCC, along with its extraordinary partners, has embedded trauma-informed care into pediatric practices, school systems, judicial systems, and early childhood programs.

“We’ve helped build trauma-informed childcare and classrooms. We’ve piloted and scaled the HOPE (healthy outcomes from positive experiences) framework—because we learned that it’s not enough to count ACEs. We must build positive childhood experiences. We must give children something to run toward, not just something to run from,” stated Renée Layman, chief executive officer of CFCC. 

The Center uses a data-to-action approach—one of the only integrated clinical dashboards of its kind in the nation—to identify trends, respond in real time, and measure what is actually working. 

“Because behind every data point is a child. A face. A family. A story. The science has confirmed what we hoped: resilience is real. It’s biological. And it can be built,” added Layman.

Following the viewing of the film, Lisa LaFrance, investment professional turned philanthropist, moderated a discussion with the panelists, including: Dr. Randy Blakely, Ph.D., founding executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and director of the Neuroscience Graduate Program at FAU; Dr. Eugenia Millender, co-founder and co-director of the Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment, assistant dean for research, and Marie Cowart endowed professor at Florida State University College of Nursing; Keith Oswald, chief of student health and wellness for the Palm Beach County School District; Mary Quinlan, chief deputy court administrator for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida; Dr. Shannon Fox- Levine, South Florida medical director at Bluebird Kids Health, medical director at Center for Child Counseling, and president of the Palm Beach County Pediatric Society.

“This panel represents something remarkable — five systems that rarely sit at the same table. The brain. The body. The classroom. The courtroom. The community. And yet, ACEs science has reached into all of them and asked the same question: how do we stop waiting for children to fall apart, and start building the conditions for them to thrive?”commented LaFrance. 

Attendees gained insight into how early adversity impacts health and development; learned how local leaders are creating real change in our community; and connected with others committed to ensuring every child grows up safe, supported, and resilient. They left with the reinforced knowledge that a child’s story doesn’t have to end where it began, and every community member can play a role in writing that story of hope. 

For more information on the Center for Child Counseling, how it is fighting ACEs and providing HOPE, or upcoming community events, visit 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

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Parents Need to Demand Sexual Abuse Prevention at Their Kids’ Summer Camps

Cara Hansen beKidSafe, Blog, Fighting ACEs PBC, KidSafe, Latest News, News Releases , , , , ,

Op-Ed
March 25, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Parents Need to Demand Sexual Abuse Prevention at Their Kids’ Summer Camps

By: Renée E. Layman, LMHC, Chief Executive Officer of Center for Child Counseling

Every year, about 26 million children attend roughly 15,000 day and overnight summer camps across the United States. With summer on the horizon, caregivers are starting to plan how they will fill the nearly three months of summer when their kids are not in school. Parents, heed caution and make sure you are doing your part to ensure the camps you are sending your kids to are properly vetted to keep them safe this summer.

These are the facts. Every nine minutes, a child is a victim of sexual abuse and assault (rainn.org). Of those children who are sexually abused, 90% are abused by someone they know and trust. A CBS News report identified at least 578 child sexual abuse victims from camps spanning from 1960-2018. It is noted that given the reality of disclosure delays and nondisclosures, this real number of abuse cases is likely much higher. 

Sexual abuse can have long-lasting physical and emotional effects, including: depression, eating disorders, self-blame, self-destructive behaviors, intergenerational cyclical abuse, learning disabilities, drug abuse. As devastating as this public health crisis is, sexual abuse and these long-term effects can be prevented through education. 

As the CEO of Center for Child Counseling, a Palm Beach County-based nonprofit, we are doing our part to help ensure that camps throughout our county, state, country, and around the world are keeping kids safe. We believe all children deserve the same protection from abuse at summer camps as that which we advocate for and provide training for within schools and child care centers during the school year. We created CampSafe®  as part of our beKidSafe program to make it easy for all camp staff–young adults and grown adults, alike–to become trauma-aware and recognize and stop childhood trauma and abuse in its tracks.

Our goal is for all staff, including counselors, administrators, supervisors, dining and health personnel, volunteers, and board members to arrive at camp with the same strong foundational knowledge of child sexual abuse prevention and awareness. From setting healthy boundaries to ensuring the entire camp team has a consistent safety protocol, our philosophy is to empower caregivers in all settings with a level of confidence around this topic, therefore better protecting all staff and campers. Training staff and volunteers helps break the cycle of child sexual abuse and prepares staff to be active participants in abuse prevention.

 

Parents and caregivers, you can help ensure the camps you choose for your children enforce strict policies that prevent and address abuse. Ask the camp director what type of training the staff receives regarding: sexual abuse intervention, prevention and reporting; bullying intervention and response; child abuse, both physical and emotional. If you would like to share information about our CampSafe®  training, you can provide this link: bekidsafe.org/camps. 

Together, let’s deter individuals with the wrong motives and ensure a safe, supportive environment for every camper.

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

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Announcing CampSafe Level 2

Cara Hansen Blog, Fighting ACEs PBC, Latest News, News Releases , , , , , ,

NEWS RELEASE
February 6, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Enhanced Training to Keep Kids Safe at Camp this Summer
Center for Child Counseling’s CampSafe® Training is designed to protect campers and staff from child sexual abuse.

Every year, about 26 million children attend roughly 15,000 day and overnight summer camps across the United States. As spring draws closer, caregivers start to take action and plan how they will fill the nearly three months of summer when their kids are not in school. But how do parents ensure the camps they choose are properly vetted? Center for Child Counseling (CFCC), a Florida-based nonprofit, is doing its part in helping to ensure that camps across the country and around the world are keeping kids safe with its CampSafe®  training program. 

CampSafe® is a comprehensive, camp-specific online program designed to provide camp leadership and staff with the awareness and knowledge needed to prevent child sexual abuse. With summer around the corner, CFCC announces CampSafe® Level 2 for those camps that have been participating in CampSafe® training for three or more years.  

These are the facts. Every nine minutes, a child is a victim of sexual abuse and assault (rainn.org). Of those children who are sexually abused, 90% are abused by someone they know and trust. A CBS News report identified at least 578 child sexual abuse victims from camps spanning from 1960-2018. It is noted that given the reality of disclosure delays and nondisclosures, this real number of abuse cases is likely much higher. 

Sexual abuse can have long-lasting physical and emotional effects, including: depression, eating disorders, self-blame, self-destructive behaviors, intergenerational cyclical abuse, learning disabilities, drug abuse. 

“As devastating as this public health crisis is, sexual abuse and these long-term effects can be prevented through education. We created CampSafe®  as part of our beKidSafe program  to make it easy for all camp staff–young adults and grown adults, alike–to become trauma-aware and recognize and stop childhood trauma and abuse in its tracks.” stated Renée Layman, CEO for Center for Child Counseling.

For summer 2025, over 15,000 camp staff across 180 camps in 42 states and 20 countries participated in the CampSafe® training program. Close to 50,000 campers were protected and kept safe. 

The goal is for all staff, including counselors, administrators, supervisors, dining and health personnel, volunteers, and board members to arrive at camp with the same strong foundational knowledge of child sexual abuse prevention and awareness.

“Our philosophy is to empower caregivers in all settings with a level of confidence around this topic, therefore better protecting all staff and campers. Training staff and volunteers helps break the cycle of child sexual abuse and prepares staff to be active participants in abuse prevention,” said Cherie Benjoseph, CFCC director of national outreach and education and creator of the CampSafe® curriculum.

The program was created with young adults, ages 18-26, as well as seasoned staff in mind to take the topic seriously but not instill fear. The training promotes compassion toward campers as staff become fluent in the language of safety while providing comfort, aide, and access to supervisory staff for guidance. 

From setting healthy boundaries to ensuring the entire camp team has a consistent safety protocol, CampSafe® training provides scenarios, interactive learning, and clear safety language for staff. Director training modules include: screening, interviewing, and onboarding best practices; protection policy guidelines; mandated reporting; supervision through a prevention lens; pre-camp week in-person training plan; prevention for campers with special needs; scripts for teaching healthy boundaries; communication templates for staff and parents; and certification testing & documentation. 

“In response to 99% of camps reporting the importance of reinforcing this training year after year, we decided to create the next level of training for seasoned staff. CampSafe Level 2 supports camp staff in putting their knowledge and skills into action,” stated Benjoseph.


This next level enhanced training allows staff to work through a variety of realistic situations, including: counselor-to-camper, camper-to-camper, and counselor-to-counselor interactions and concerns; sexual harassment; boundary violations; and disclosures of abuse at home. 

The CampSafe® program was developed by professionals with expertise in sexual abuse prevention and training. The training is designed to empower all camp personnel, gently but thoroughly, before camp begins.

“Training that focuses squarely on sexual abuse prevention sends a clear message that your camp has zero tolerance for abuse. It helps deter individuals with the wrong motives and ensures a safe, supportive environment for every camper,” added Benjoseph. 

CampSafe® is endorsed by the American Camp Association and approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. It can be provided to all camp staff for a nominal fee, ranging from $300-$1,200 depending on the number of staff members being trained. 

For camp associations, camp directors, parks and recreation departments, and school districts interested in learning more about how to be proactive in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse at your day or overnight camp, visit bekidsafe.org/camps or email bekidsafe@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 Cherie Benjoseph, CFCC director of national outreach and education and creator of the CampSafe® curriculum:
Cherie Benjoseph, LCSW, has dedicated her career to protecting children and strengthening camps and families through primary prevention, education, and advocacy. She earned her MSW from Boston University and has 30+ years of experience in camps, schools, and communities. In 2009, she co-founded KidSafe Foundation, focused on preventing child sexual abuse, and created CampSafe®,, which has trained 40,000+ camp staff nationwide. Cherie empowers camp staff and leadership with proactive tools to prevent abuse. As Director of National Outreach and Education at the Center for Child Counseling, she helps build trauma-informed systems. She also serves on the board of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. A seasoned national speaker, Cherie promotes open dialogue on safety and prevention. She believes that through education, collaboration, and community, a world free from child sexual abuse is achievable.

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We Must Uphold the Systems Protecting Our Children: Invest Now, Save Later

Cara Hansen Blog, Fighting ACEs PBC, Latest News, News Releases , , , , , , ,

January 21, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

We Must Uphold the Systems Protecting Our Children: Invest Now, Save Later
By: Renée E. Layman, LMHC, Chief Executive Officer of Center for Child Counseling

In the face of federal funding uncertainty that has plagued our nation’s social services sector over the last year, our children’s health was recently on the line when the federal government wiped out $2 billion in addiction and mental health grants and then rolled back the decision less than 24 hours later. 

As the CEO of a local nonprofit agency that operates programs underwritten by a variety of funding streams and grants, including SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), we must not turn our backs on the support services we are providing our children: they are our nation’s future.  

At Center for Child Counseling, the federal funding we receive allows us to partner with Florida State University to support children and families in Palm Beach County. We address the unmet mental/behavioral and social services needs of children, adolescents, and families who have experienced trauma.   

The funded project helps build community capacity to provide trauma-informed care in child-serving systems through training and consultation for system providers, professionals, and caregivers. We are able to focus on communities in Palm Beach County where there are significant numbers of children and families facing adversity and trauma and critical gaps in resources, including trauma-informed care and treatment. 

This funding is crucial to expanding our public health approach to prevent and heal the effects of adverse experiences and toxic stress on children and families in our community, while building positive childhood experiences. We are able to support children and families facing persistent challenges, including those related to economic stress, crime, housing instability, physical and/or emotional stress, lack of preventative care to address the impact of multi-generational and ongoing complex trauma, and lack of access to effective trauma treatment. 

Like one in six Americans, 42% of children surveyed at one of our partner schools in Palm Beach County have four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Without intervention, these children are twice as likely to develop heart disease or cancer, roughly four times as likely to have a teen pregnancy, and 30 times as likely to contemplate suicide as their classmate with no ACEs.

We know the cost of ACEs to society. A CDC study published in 2023 associated ACEs with an annual economic burden of $14.1 trillion in the United States, and nearly $800 billion per year in Florida alone. 

The federal monies we receive are crucial for advancing our understanding of mental health, disrupting generational cycles of trauma, and developing effective interventions. By combining our resources and expertise, we can foster opportunities that will drive significant improvements in mental health outcomes for all children in Palm Beach County. 

We prevent the trauma our children are experiencing now from metastasizing into serious and expensive health outcomes down the road. We must uphold and continue investing in the systems helping and protecting our children. This will save them and us later.  

Renée Layman is CEO of Center for Child Counseling which has been building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children and families in Palm Beach County since 1999. For more information on how the Center is preventing and healing the effects of adverse childhood experiences and trauma, visit centerforchildcounseling.org.  

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Laurie Iannini Appointed as Senior Director of Advancement

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases , ,

January 14, 2026
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com 

Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) announces Laurie Iannini as senior director of advancement to play a crucial role in advancing all philanthropic initiatives for the Palm Beach County-based nonprofit.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laurie as a senior member of our leadership team to direct our donor stewardship and cultivation efforts and fuel long-term organizational sustainability and growth. Her work is imperative in supporting our mission to help children and families with the prevention and healing of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma,” stated Renée Layman, chief executive officer of Center for Child Counseling. 

Iannini is a strategic, creative, and community-oriented nonprofit professional with more than 20 years experience driving fundraising success, building donor relationships, and elevating mission awareness through dynamic communications and engaging events. 

“Compassion, kindness, honesty, integrity, authenticity–Center for Child Counseling and its leadership are perfectly aligned with my values. I have a deep understanding of the nuances of mission-driven nonprofit work and personal experience with ACEs; so, I’m thrilled to apply my skillset to help generate real and lasting change,” shared Iannini. 

Born in Massachusetts, Iannini raised her two children, now 26 and 21, in her hometown of Newburyport, MA. She has always been deeply involved in her community, both personally and professionally: active in the school system, a volunteer and fundraiser, and supporter of local business and driving tourism to her area. She most recently served as development manager for Star Island Corporation in Portsmouth, NH, before relocating to South Florida with her husband to help care for her aging mother-in-law. 

Iannini brings her passion for helping people–especially the overlooked, underserved, and most vulnerable people in our communities–to CFCC. 

In her new role, Iannini looks forward to “being part of the SOLUTION. The mental health crisis is staggering. CFCC takes action, changes lives, and brings HOPE for the future. Knowing every day that the work I do will play a hand in helping children and their families in their greatest time of need is an honor and a blessing.” 

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Holiday Happy Hour at Salute Market Provides Healing and Hope to Children in Palm Beach County

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases , , , , ,

December 12, 2025
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Holiday Happy Hour at Salute Market Provides Healing and Hope to Children in Palm Beach County

Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) hosted Baubles and Baskets, a holiday happy hour to support vulnerable children in Palm Beach County, on Thursday, December 4 at Salute Market in Palm Beach Gardens. 77 Attendees mixed and mingled while providing healing and hope to children who have experienced abuse, violence, and other traumatic situations.

“We are so grateful to each and every one of you–our friends, our donors, our partners, our supporters. Thank you for being with us all year and the important work we are doing for children in our community. Yes, we’re having fun but it’s for such a vital cause,” remarked CFCC CEO Renée Layman.

The evening included music and chance drawings for fabulous baskets that supported the agency’s trauma services.

The event committee comprised Chairs Jessica Cecere and Jacquie Stephens, along with Cheryl Baldwin, Laura Bessinger-Morse, Penny Blitzer, Vicki Chouris, Caitlen Macias Hentze, Dana Herst, Renée Layman, Angela Lykins, Deana McCrea, MaryBeth Moore, Dominika Nolan, Andres Ochoa, and Lisa Russo. 

Baubles and Baskets was made possible thanks to the support of Private Family Foundation, Deana McCrea, Horizon Care Services, Andrea Albertini, Jeff Koons, Jodie and Jeff Petrone, and Jessica Cecere. Annual corporate sponsors also include Stephens & Stevens and Valley Bank.

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

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Gratitude Gathering Celebrates Dr. Eliana Gil, Samuel Meshberg, and Lauren Taylor Clifton

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases , , , , , , ,

November 21, 2025
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Gratitude Gathering Honors Individuals Profoundly Impacting Children in Palm Beach County

Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) hosted its Gratitude Gathering 2025 on Wednesday, November 12, at the Mollie Wilmot Center in West Palm Beach. The event honored distinguished individuals–Dr. Eliana Gil, Samuel Meshberg, and Lauren Taylor Clifton–who are making a profound impact on the lives of children through their passion and tireless dedication to advancing understanding and action to mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma.

The gathering brought together supporters, community leaders, and child advocates to celebrate the shared commitment of fostering resiliency in children and championing CFCC’s mission. Emceed by Eddie Stephens–board certified marital and family attorney, author, lecturer, and community leader–the event was an inspiring evening, including the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share the passion for creating positive change.

As Chair of CFCC’s Circle of Giving, Melissa Haley welcomed the guests and shared, “Tonight is about gratitude–for each of you who stands with us, and for the incredible individuals we are about to honor. Their leadership, compassion, and vision, remind us all what’s possible when we work together for the good of our children.” 

Jane Robinson, the founder of the Center, presented the Jane Robinson Advocacy Award to Dr. Eliana Gil. The award recognizes an extraordinary advocate who advances the safety, well-being, and mental health of children and families. 

Dr. Gil is a trailblazer in the fields of trauma treatment and play therapy. Her lifelong work has transformed how the world understands and supports children healing from adversity. Through her writing, teaching, and clinical innovation, she gives voice to the forgotten and unheard and has empowered countless children and families with actionable hope and steps out of generational cycles of trauma and despair. 

Renée Layman, CEO of CFCC, stated, “Dr. Gil, your pioneering work and lifelong commitment to healing children embody everything this award stands for. We are deeply honored to recognize your extraordinary impact.” 

The Julie Fisher Cummings Child Protector Award acknowledges a steadfast individual, group, or business that champions children’s safety and mental health. Caitlen Macias Hentze, assistant to Julie Fisher Cummings, presented the award to Sam Meshberg–an engaged advocate whose leadership and generosity protect the most vulnerable children. 

Meshberg has devoted his life to leadership, innovation, and philanthropy. His commitment the last few years to CFCC has revolutionized their ability to be innovative in creating proactive, trauma-informed communities. 

Layman referred to Meshberg as a “torchbearer for children” whose “vision and generosity continue to make lasting change for generations to come.” 

The Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award honors the late Judge Ron Alvarez, whose compassion and courage transformed the juvenile justice system through a trauma-informed approach to serving children and families. His wife, Elaine, presented the 2025 award to Lauren Taylor Clifton, lead attorney for the Relative Caregiver Project at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. Clifton is a powerful voice and champion for the County’s children and families. Her legal advocacy ensures that families facing adversity find both justice and hope that brings lifelong, positive change. 

 According to Layman, Clifton’s “dedication to ensuring children and families are supported with compassion and strength is an inspiring continuation of Judge Alvarez’s legacy.” 

The awards presentation closed with a champagne toast.

“Please join us in raising a glass to tonight’s honorees and to every person here who helps build a brighter, more helpful future for our children and families. Here’s to gratitude, resilience, and the power of community,” said Stephens.

For more information on the Center for Child Counseling and its work with children and families in Palm Beach County, visit centerforchildcounseling.org.  

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CFCC Named Crisis Intervention Team Community Partner of the Year by PBSO

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NEWS RELEASE
November 6, 2025
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Center for Child Counseling Named Crisis Intervention Team Community Partner of the Year by PBSO

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) recently recognized Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) as its Crisis Intervention Team Community Partner of Year at the 2025 PBC Crisis Intervention Team Annual Luncheon. 

For more than 10 years, CFCC has helped train PBSO’s law enforcement officers, corrections deputies, communications officers, sponsored recruits, and school resource officers. Each month, CFCC’s staff of mental health providers present on ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), PCEs (positive childhood experiences), and HOPE (healthy outcomes from positive experiences). The team also facilitates the brain architecture game. As a training partner, CFCC is one part of the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. 

“At Center for Child Counseling, we are building trauma-informed communities. When we create trauma-aware adults who understand how trauma versus positive experiences affect a person, we are promoting a culture that provides optimal support for staff. In turn, that promotes the resilience and well-being of children that comes from healthy child-caregiver relationships. We are committed to our partnership with PBSO and training the adults in all organizations on trauma-informed care and the HOPE framework, because we want to give them meaningful tools to build healthier families, schools, and communities,” said Renée Layman, CEO of CFCC. 

CIT is an effective law enforcement response program designed for first responders who handle crisis calls involving people with mental illness including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. CIT training emphasizes a partnership between law enforcement, the mental health and substance abuse treatment system, mental health advocacy groups, and consumers of mental health services and their families. CIT is both a training program, and a collaborative effort that builds community partnerships with mental health service providers. This training ensures that deputies are able to safely assess and interact with persons with mental illness in a crisis situation.

Since the start of 2025, CFCC has trained more than 500 PBSO officers.

CFCC provides an array of live and online trauma-informed training options for schools and organizations. For more information, visit: centerforchildcounseling.org/traumainformedcare. 

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