Tag: Center for Child Counseling

Mix & Mingle Drives Change for Kids

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases March 26, 2024October 29, 2024Center for Child Counseling, children's mental health, Circle of Giving, data dashboard, data-to-action framework, Jeff Petrone, Jodie Petrone, Renee Layman

March 26, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Mix & Mingle Drives Change for Kids
Community members gather to learn how Center for Child Counseling is using data to drive action for kids’ mental health and safety.

Founding members of Center for Child Counseling (CFCC)’s Circle of Giving, Jeff and Jodie Petrone, hosted a mix and mingle event at their Jupiter home on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Around 40 attendees, community members and founding members of the Circle of Giving, gathered to hear about the innovative ways CFCC is meeting the needs of children’s mental health and safety in Palm Beach County.

Mr. Petrone, treasurer and secretary of the board of directors and a founding member of the Circle, and Renée Layman, president and CEO of CFCC, spoke about the public health approach that the Palm Beach Gardens-nonprofit is taking to fighting adverse childhood experiences and explained the agency’s vision for the near future of how to better serve children.

Attendees heard about the change-making data dashboard that CFCC has recently built. Populated with data from the 7,000 children served every year by the agency, the system shows exactly where children are located within the county with the various issues they are facing. This geo mapping is driving their vision to: create a mobile unit–built with an education center and therapy center–to take directly to the areas in the community where children are most affected by trauma and need services; and develop an emergency fund to ensure all children receive the help they need.

“If we can save people when they’re young, we can build resilience in their brains…It’s amazing to see how brains look who have been subjected to trauma versus those who have had resilience and positive influences in their life, and it literally changes the chemistry inside the brain. It’s phenomenal and that’s how we heal,” stated Petrone.

Layman explained that CFCC’s public health approach is a framework of prevention, early intervention, and treatment. Typically the mental health model is one of treatment which includes an assessment, diagnosis, and then treatment plan.

“But we know that you don’t have to diagnose a child with a mental health disorder before you do something,” Layman passionately stated.

Thanks to the support of the founding members of the Circle of Giving, CFCC took their vision of the data dashboard to encompass their public health approach and tackle the issue. Through data mapping, they can now look at what the presenting issues are, look at where the need is, and can design services to target the need.

“Being able to design services based on the need rather than guessing what the need may be is so powerful,” added Layman.

Prior to implementing this public health approach with the data dashboard, Center for Child Counseling had 865 kids on the waitlist. Within two weeks, the waitlist dropped dramatically to 350 kids.

Using this data-to-action framework, they are looking at data in real time and immediately triaging kids to care based on what each child needs. Layman gave the example of being able to reach out to parents via email or text and say, “we see your six year old along with 35 other six year olds in your zip code are presenting this issue. We’ve designed this service for you. Are you interested in engaging in it?”

To ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, she also shared her vision for an emergency fund: “No funder will ever tell us ‘no’ and that because of these guidelines you can not treat a child. We want an emergency fund so that we are never told no.”

And with respect to the mobile unit, Layman added, “We want to be integrated in the communities we serve. When parents can’t come to us, we want to be able to go to them. We want to build communities’ capacity.”

Jodie Petrone finished the presentation by sharing their personal story as adoptive and foster parents and how Center for Child Counseling and its services has carried their family through the challenges. She called on attendees to join her and her husband in making an impact in the lives of children by joining the Circle of Giving.

CFCC launched its Circle of Giving, chaired by Melissa Haley, in November 2023 to drive action and change. The goal is to make lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities impacted by adverse childhood experiences and trauma. It aims to take action and drive advocacy toward a brighter future by forming a circle of love, protection, and healing around our community’s children.

The founding members of the Circle of Giving include: The Abby and Matt Baker Family, Laura Bessinger-Morse, Nancy Feiwel, Melissa Haley, Bailey Hughes, Sharika Kellogg, Lisa LaFrance, Sam and Karry Meshberg, Ann Polya, Jeff and Jodie Petrone, Vicki Price, Lisa Russo, Jacquie Stephens, Karen Young.

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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Jibby Ciric Appointed as Senior Director, Strategic Impact of Center for Child Counseling

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases March 25, 2024October 29, 2024Center for Child Counseling, Child and family mental health services, community partners of south florida, Jibby Ciric, Senior Director Strategic Impact

March 25, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Jibby Ciric Appointed as Senior Director, Strategic Impact of Center for Child Counseling

Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) announces Ljubica “Jibby” Ciric, PsyD. joins as senior director, strategic impact to play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the strategic direction of the Palm Beach County-based nonprofit, including a focus on organizational and program development, expansion, and funding.

“We are thrilled to have Jibby join our dynamic staff as a member of our senior leadership team. Jibby is a visionary thinker who will be instrumental in helping us identify, plan, and oversee key initiatives that drive growth, innovation, and long-term success. She will help further our important work in supporting children and families with the prevention and healing of adverse childhood experiences and trauma,” stated Renée Layman, chief executive officer of Center for Child Counseling.

In her new role, Ciric oversees internal and external initiatives to achieve the goal of increasing CFCC’s sphere of influence and impact in the communities served, including enhancing the public health approach and trauma-informed equity lens.

“With CFCC’s long-standing reputation and passion for the community, I feel fortunate to be part of the mission and vision of such an amazing group of individuals. Working alongside professionals I admire and aspire to be, along with my own experience and skill set, I believe that together we can make a significant impact on children and families in our community,” commented Ciric.

Ciric’s work and educational background reflect her passion to bring healing to others and promote both individual health and community welfare. Ciric most recently served as vice president of Child and Family Mental Health Services where she oversaw Community Partners of South Florida clinical programs. Previously, she was a mental health professional at a correctional facility and an intervention therapist for victims of natural disasters. Ciric also educated and trained mental health professionals entering the field and created and managed innovative programs related to inclusion of the most at-risk communities in Palm Beach County. Ciric has completed her bachelors in public health, masters in mental health counseling, and doctorate in psychology.

Her work extends beyond the local community and country. Ciric spent time in Europe working on after-war relief in former Yugoslavia. She also held seminars in Europe, including education on the effects of trauma on socio-emotional, neurological, and physical development.

“I believe that my past experience combined with my education in public health and mental health, along with my passion for community stability, will allow me to contribute to what has already admirably been created by CFCC’s leadership. I look forward to leaving a meaningful footprint by supporting our community through education, prevention, intervention, and increased partnerships,” added Ciric.

Identifying & Addressing Suicide: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

renee@centerforchildcounseling.org March 23, 2024November 4, 2024awayofbeing, Center for Child Counseling, resilience, trauma, trauma-informed

FREE Online, On-Demand Workshop

Suicide is an emotional, overwhelming, and most times scary topic to discuss with anyone, let alone a child.

You, as a parent or caregiver, may be worried about what to do, what to say and whether your efforts are improving the situation or not. It may also seem overwhelming as to how to address the situation, helpful responses and where to look for support and resources. Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts are serious and should never be taken lightly – especially considering there may be a life at risk.

Join us for this free, 45-minute training as we review information that can assist you in early detection, prevention, and intervention as well as ways to be involved and buffer the risk factors against suicide.

Workshop Objectives:

Know and understand the risk factors and warning signs of suicidal ideation and/or a suicide crisis
Learn easy to implement action steps and techniques to respond to a child expressing suicidal ideation
Review a script for responding to a child experiencing a suicidal crisis
Learn how to utilize a suicide safety plan (downloadable/printable plan sheet)
Receive information regarding local and nationwide crisis resources and support

In the Aftermath of a School Shooting: Ways to Help Children Cope

renee@centerforchildcounseling.org March 23, 2024November 4, 2024awayofbeing, Center for Child Counseling, resilience, trauma

FREE Online, On-Demand Workshop

Trying to make sense of the horror that is a school shooting feels difficult to comprehend or put into words.

Take this 65-minute workshop to learn how to cope and address this topic with children.

Attempting to explain it to young children and provide the assurances that they need, seems overwhelming and challenging. Moreover, how can you explain such a horrific event to your children and provide them with the reassurances and support that they need, when you are having a difficult time understanding and making sense of the event yourself?

Workshop Objectives:

Reasons for and how to initiate conversations with children about school shootings.
Helping children process the information and cope.
Managing our own worries and fears as parents/caregivers.

A Way of Being with Children: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Building Resilience

renee@centerforchildcounseling.org March 23, 2024November 4, 2024awayofbeing, Center for Child Counseling, earlychildhood, resilience, trauma, trauma-informed

Virtual, On-Demand Workshop

A Way of Being with Children: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Building Resilience is based on Center for Child Counseling’s manual and reflects over twenty years of experience working with children, combining the science of brain development, child development, and actual practice to enhance positive child-caregiver relationships and resilience.

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a caregiver, this approach is an effective way to interact with the children in your life, providing information and skills to promote positive behaviors and relationships.

If you are a parent, teacher, or professional in Palm Beach County, A Way of Being with Children is FREE for you! Use the promo code: AWOBPBC. Your registration for this 5.5 hour online, on-demand training includes a copy of the 86-page manual!

$250

What is the “A Way of Being with Children” Training?

This training is based on our manual: A Way of Being with Children: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Building Resilience.
Published over sixteen years ago, the manual is based on over twenty years of experience working with children, incorporating the expertise of dozens of mental health and early childhood professionals..
The training contains vital information about childhood development, how children think and grow, and skills to promote positive behaviors and resilience. A Way of Being with Children forms the basis of all our work at Center for Child Counseling. It is a research-based, trauma-informed approach to ‘being’ with children.

What Teachers, Parents, and Caregivers Will Gain From this Training

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or other adult caregiver, A Way of Being is an effective approach that will give you essential information, strategies, and skills to enhance your interactions with children.
It’s full of practical advice and it’s an approach that works.
A Way of Being with Children is going to help you build better, deeper connections with the children in your life!

Learning Objectives Include:

Understanding the importance of attitude in relationships,
Understanding the impact of suspending judgement,
Understanding the importance of a positive caregiver-child relationship,
Increased ability to recognize trauma’s impact on development,
Increased knowledge of stages of development,
Increased knowledge in the importance of adult-child relationship and brain development,
The importance of play in children’s development,
The impact of racism and discrimination on children,
Understanding of skills and themes in play therapy,
How to effectively use reflective listening with children,
The difference between encouragement and praise, and
Strategies in managing problematic behaviors in children.

A special thank you to the Florida Blue Foundation, Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, and Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County for supporting this training for parents, teachers, and caregivers in Palm Beach County.

Center for Child Counseling is approved through the Florida Board of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Providers #50-11511.

Ways to Talk to Children about Grief

renee@centerforchildcounseling.org March 20, 2024November 4, 2024awayofbeing, Center for Child Counseling, earlychildhood, resilience, trauma-informed

FREE Online, On-Demand Workshop

Grief is the intense emotional reaction and distress in response to loss, usually associated with death.

However, grief can encompass significantly more experiences than just death – separation or the ending of a close relationship, can also bring about elements of grief.

A very natural process, and often a significant part of processing and moving beyond the pain and suffering to create new direction and a shift in daily life.

Grief, however, often brings many uncomfortable emotions which most of us find difficult to experience and express.

The thought of having to explain grief to a child, can leave us feeling us feeling uncertain as to how to approach the subject and ways to do so in a sensitive manner to avoid causing unnecessary distress for the child.

This 80-minute workshop is FREE. Take this online, on-demand workshop to learn how to address grief with children and ways to help them cope.

Ways to Talk to Child about Grief offers practical advice and strategies to approach this difficult conversation. In this workshop, you will learn:

- * What grief is and how children grieve,

- * Developmental stages and the impact on grief,

- * Parent regulation and ways to encourage self-expression, and

- * How to prepare for the conversation about grief.

Visit our Ways to Talk to Children page for resources and information on addressing other tough topics with children and teens, including sexual abuse, school shootings, war, and divorce.

Please note: This is an online workshop that can be taken at your convenience. Once registered, you will have 24/7 on-demand access for 30 days.

Jessica Cecere Joins Center for Child Counseling’s Board of Directors

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases March 19, 2024October 29, 2024Board of Directors, Center for Child Counseling, Jessica Cecere, Nonprofits First

March 19, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Jessica Cecere Joins Center for Child Counseling’s Board of Directors

The Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) Board of Directors recently voted in Jessica Cecere as a returning member to contribute her expertise in continuing to move the mission of the non-profit agency forward.

Cecere is the former chief executive officer of Nonprofits First, Inc. and has more than 35 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Cecere has also been a small business shareholder, a consultant, and an active community volunteer. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and is a BoardSource certified governance trainer and a certified True Colors facilitator. Cecere also served as the regional president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service, a certified consumer credit counselor and a certified counselor for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Renée Layman, chief executive officer of CFCC, stated, “I am incredibly grateful to have Jessica return as a member of our board of directors. Her expertise in board governance, nonprofit management, leadership facilitation, and finance will help our agency continue to move forward as we innovate and take the right risks with the goal of serving any and every child in Palm Beach County.”

Cecere has been involved with CFCC for more than a decade as a previous board member and constant supporter. She has a long history of community involvement with many community service and nonprofit organizations. She is a graduate and active alumnus of Leadership Florida and Leadership Palm Beach County and serves as a volunteer on numerous committees. Cecere has served on 12 plus nonprofit boards and advisory councils from 1992 – 2024. She also currently serves as a board member for the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean and Leadership Palm Beach County.

With respect to this new board role, Cecere expressed, “I’m looking forward to creating awareness, particularly with our funding and nonprofit community and the amazing work that Center for Child Counseling has done, and the very forward thinking and progressive response to mental health for children.”

The other members of CFCC’s Board of Directors include: Eugenia Millender, Ph.D., chair; Eddie Stephens, vice chair; Jeffrey Petrone, treasurer and secretary; Bill Lynch, past chair; Madeline Morris, director and audit committee chairwoman; Jennifer Hume Rodriguez, director; Patsy Mintmire, director; Bailey Hughes, director; Melissa Haley, director; and Renée Layman, president and chief executive officer.

PHOTO ID:

001: Jessica Cecere

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Keep Kids Safe from Abuse at Camp this Summer

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases March 6, 2024American Camp Association, CampSafe, Center for Child Counseling, Cherie Benjoseph, child abuse, child abuse prevention

NEWS RELEASE

March 6, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

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

With summer on the horizon, caregivers are beginning to plan how to fill nearly three months of no school. Every year, about 26 million children attend roughly 15,000 day and overnight summer camps across the country, but how do parents ensure camps are properly vetted for safety when every nine minutes a child is a victim of sexual abuse and assault (rainn.org) and 90% are abused by someone they know and trust? Florida-based nonprofit Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) wants to ensure every camper in the United States is protected and safe from abuse with CampSafe®–an online training designed to provide camp leadership and staff with the awareness and knowledge needed to prevent child sexual abuse.

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. For summer 2023, more than 8,000 camp staff across 74 camps participated in the CampSafe® training program. More than 14,000 campers were kept safe.

“Empowering every caregiver in every camp setting with knowledge of this topic provides a confidence level that best protects all staff and campers. Focused training for staff and volunteers both breaks the cycle of child sexual abuse and highlights a topic too often avoided out of fear and/or discomfort,” 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, 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.

According to Justin Levy, assistant director of engagement and recruitment for Camp Coleman in Georgia, when they used CampSafe for the first time, “We were skeptical but those fears quickly went away. Having the ability to train every adult who enters our camp on such important information was so easy and so important. We had a better and safer camp because of CampSafe and that is priceless.”

From setting healthy boundaries to ensuring the entire camp team has a consistent safety protocol, CampSafe® training provides animated scenarios, interactive learning, and clear safety language for staff. Director training modules include: interviewing and background check protocol; child protection policy and procedures; supervising around the issues of child sexual abuse prevention; in-person follow-up training to provide during pre-camp week; links to state resources; establishing healthy boundaries; ice breakers for counselors and campers; sexual harassment; letters to parents and staff; and post-testing for certification.

“Training focused squarely on sexual abuse prevention sends a message that your camp has ‘zero tolerance’ for sexual abuse. This powerful message helps deter staff applicants who may have undesirable motives,” added Benjoseph.

The CampSafe® program was developed by professionals with expertise in sexual abuse prevention and training. The Center for Child Counseling team partnered with experts in learning and development, using the most up-to-date online method. The training is designed to build confidence and knowledge for all camp personnel, gently but thoroughly, before camp begins.

“What I like about CampSafe Training in particular is that every counselor comes to camp with a strong knowledge base on the topic. So when we meet to review it during staff training, it isn’t the first time they’ve heard this information and they actually absorb it,” stated Carrie Muhlstein, director at Camp Wayne for Boys in Pennsylvania.

According to data collected from the Center, staff’s ability to identify a camper who is at risk for child sexual abuse went from 49% confidence to 97% after the training. More than 75% of participants reported feeling safer that their camp is taking action to protect the staff and campers.

CampSafe® has the educational endorsement from the American Camp Association and is an Approved Youth Protection Training for the state of Texas. The training can be provided to all camp staff for a nominal fee, ranging from $275-$850 depending on the number of staff members being trained.

CampSafe® is part of Center for Child Counseling’s be KidSafe initiative of providing prevention education for all adults who work with children.

Renée Layman, CEO of the Center, believes “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. Our goal is make it easy for all adults to become trauma-aware and recognize and stop childhood trauma and abuse in its tracks.”

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.

Photo ID:

001: Camp Coleman camper; Cherie Benjoseph, director of national outreach and education for Center for Child Counseling ; Justin Levy, assistant director of engagement and recruitment for Camp Coleman in Georgia

Interview availability:
Cherie Benjoseph, LCSW, CFCC director of national outreach and education and creator of the CampSafe® curriculum.

CampSafe® Resources:

Website: bekidsafe.org/camps
CampSafe® brochure

About Cherie Benjoseph, CFCC director of national outreach and education and creator of the CampSafe® curriculum:

Cherie is an expert in the field of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. She has practiced social work since 1989. After receiving her MSW at Boston University, she worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in multiple school and non-profit settings in the Northeast and the state of Florida. In 2009 she founded KidSafe Foundation, a non-profit focused on child sexual abuse primary prevention. Cherie grounds her work in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention using a public health model. She is convinced that educating children and those who live or work with children about child sexual abuse and trauma prevention will strengthen families and protect kids, breaking the cycle of abuse. Presently, as Director of National Outreach and Education for the Center for Child Counseling, Cherie works with national and local leaders to define and improve the ever-changing issues around protecting children from harm. For more than a decade, she has presented nationally at conferences and symposiums. She loves to have conversations about how to talk with kids about personal safety, and she believes a safe society—free from child sexual abuse and exploitation—is attainable. Through Cherie’s leadership, several state-of-the-art programs have been created including Stay KidSafe!™, a personal safety curriculum for children, and CampSafe®, an online training program for camp staff, now programs of Center for Child Counseling. Cherie serves on the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. She is a mom of two (grown and flown). She enjoys qigong, working with clay, travel, and time with her family when she’s not out advocating for the safety of all children.

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Gratitude Gathering Honors Individuals Profoundly Impacting Children in Palm Beach County

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases December 14, 2023December 14, 2023Center for Child Counseling, Child Protector Award, Gratitude Gathering, Jane Robinson Child Advocacy Award, Judge Kathleen Kroll, Kathy Leone, Murray Levin, Stephens & Stevens, The Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award

December 6, 2023
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 celebrates local individuals mitigating ACEs and trauma.

Center for Child Counseling hosted its Gratitude Gathering 2023 on Thursday, November 30 at the Mollie Wilmot Center in West Palm Beach. The event was an opportunity to honor distinguished individuals 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.

At this year’s Gratitude Gathering, the Center celebrated with the community its shared commitment of fostering resilience in children. Three local Palm Beach County individuals were recognized: Kathy Leone with the Jane Robinson Child Advocacy Award, Murray Levin with the Child Protector Award, and Judge Kathleen Kroll with The Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award.

The Jane Robinson Child Advocacy award is named after the founder of Center for Child Counseling who passionately dedicated her professional career to promoting infant and early childhood mental health. The award recognizes a passionate advocate who works to promote child resilience, safety, and mental health. Leone was honored for her significant contribution to fighting ACEs in Palm Beach County. She has been a passionate advocate for children in the foster system for many years.

“Through her work with the Center, other nonprofits, and business leaders in Palm Beach County, Kathy is making a meaningful difference for the most vulnerable children in our community,” said Renée Layman, CEO of Center for Child Counseling.

The Child Protector Award recognizes an individual or business that has been a significant champion for children’s safety and mental health. Since 2008, the Saul and Theresa Esman Foundation has been supporting the community of South Florida. Levin, president and chair of the foundation, received the award for his visionary support of keeping kids safe, including providing support to launch KidSafe Español.

Levin shared why he is driven to help children: “They deserve care, they deserve love, and they should get all they need as our most important human beings.”

The Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award is named in honor of the pioneering legal mind who worked for children’s rights long before the impact of ACEs on society was fully understood. The award recognizes a trailblazing person in the legal profession who advocates for a fuller understanding of the science of adversity in the context of the law. The recipient works tirelessly to promote a trauma-informed approach to legal practice–making our legal system more compassionate and equitable for vulnerable children and families. In 2019, the award was given to Judge Alvarez to honor his trauma-informed and compassionate approach within the juvenile court system. Judge Alvarez, a beloved member of the Palm Beach County community, died earlier this year. With his wife Elaine’s permission, this award will continue his legacy. At the gathering, Elaine reflected on their fifty-four years of marriage, sharing personal stories of their time together.

Eddie Stephens, the Center’s board vice chair and partner at Stephens & Stevens, presented the Judge Ron Alvarez Resiliency Award to Judge Kathleen Kroll for her work from the bench to create a trauma-informed child welfare system in Palm Beach County. Judge Kroll has served as a Judge in Palm Beach County for more than 30 years and sits on the board of the Children’s Services Council, chairs the delinquency re-entry subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Commission, and leads the dually involved youth work group of the Supreme Court Committee on Families and Children.

Kelsee, a former drug court participant who struggled with addiction for ten years starting at age 13, shared her sentiments of the impact Judge Kroll has had on her life: “Without her, I wouldn’t be an active role model and parent in my children’s lives today. I wouldn’t be sober experiencing how beautiful life truly is…[Judge Kroll] wrapped her hands around me and pushed me. She always let me know that I wasn’t alone–that she had faith in me. She never gave up on me although many times I have disappointed her. She fought for me when I couldn’t even fight for myself–she made me want to be better.”

Layman also spoke of Judge Kroll’s compassion, dedication, and profound impact on the children in Palm Beach County: “We are deeply grateful to have Judge Kroll in our community. Her positive influence fosters a sense of trust in the legal system and promotes a belief that the Court can be a system that improves the lives of the families that come before it. Like Judge Alvarez, her impact will truly be felt for generations to come.”

The inspiring evening of recognizing individuals making a lasting impact on children and families was made possible thanks to the support of Stephens & Stevens.

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Circle of Giving Forms Love, Protection, Healing for Children

Cara Hansen Latest News, News Releases December 6, 2023December 14, 2023Center for Child Counseling, Circle of Giving, Melissa Haley

December 14, 2023
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Circle of Giving Forms Love, Protection, Healing for Children
Center for Child Counseling celebrates local individuals mitigating ACEs and trauma.

Child advocate Melissa Haley recently hosted a gathering on November 16, 2023, in Boynton Beach to kickoff the Center for Child Counseling’s Circle of Giving.

Haley’s vision, aligned with the Center’s work, is to make lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities impacted by adverse childhood experiences and trauma. Her aim is simple–to take action and drive advocacy toward a brighter future. As Board Director and Chair of the Circle of Giving, Haley is helping the nonprofit form a circle of love, protection, and healing around our community’s children.

40 community members, including 15 new members of the Circle of Giving, attended the gathering to learn more about how to lead community engagement to advance children’s mental health and safety in the following critical categories: training to create ACEs-aware and trauma-informed communities; investing in early childhood development from a public health approach; engaging philanthropy to increase mission impact; and empowering awareness into action with policy.

The founding members of the Circle of Giving include: The Abby and Matt Baker Family, Melissa Haley, Karry and Sam Meshberg, Jodie and Jeff Petrone, Lisa Russo, Karen Young. Additional members who joined at the kickoff gathering include: Nancy Feiwel, Bailey Hughes, Sharika Kellogg, Laura Morse, Lisa LaFrance, Ann Polya, and Jacqueline Stephens.

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