Celebrate Babies Event Stresses ‘Start Where You Are, Do What you Can’ to Support Florida’s Youngest Generation

NEWS RELEASE
October 30, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Celebrate Babies Event Stresses ‘Start Where You Are, Do What you Can’ to Support Florida’s Youngest Generation
Former Attorney General of California Nadine Burke Harris, M.D. calls for a national public health strategy to address the public health crisis of Florida’s youngest generation at Celebrate Babies event. 


“You don’t have to boil the ocean, you just have to play your position” was Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.’s resounding message at the “Celebrate Babies” hybrid event that took place on Tuesday, October 22 at The Breakers and online. Center for Child Counseling in partnership with Florida Association of Infant Mental Health hosted the luncheon to help better shape the future of Florida’s youngest generation. 

With Kathy Leone as the honorary chair and WPTV Channel 5’s Ashley Glass as the emcee, they led statewide business and system leaders in an interactive conversation with Dr. Burke Harris that explored the profound impact of early adversity and trauma on childhood development and how each person can play their part.

Burke Harris is the former attorney general of California and an internationally renowned pediatrician, public health advocate, and author. She is best known for her pioneering work in the field of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress.

175 by-special-invitation-only attendees filled the Venetian Ballroom at The Breakers while more than 200 from around the globe joined virtually. The event took place during Celebrate Babies Week–a week dedicated to celebrating infants, toddlers, young children, their families, and early childhood professionals across the globe.

Prior to the main address from Burke Harris, David Lawrence, Jr., founder and board chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, underscored the essential role that each attendee plays in “ensuring the workforce–the people–are equipped with the skills and support we need to help children and their families in this world with so many with adverse childhood experiences.”   

Lawrence shared his understanding of mental health is based on “our first relationships–how our parents care for us, love us, talk to us, smile at us or don’t smile at us–shape how our brains and bodies develop.”

He emphasized that every child deserves nurturing and caring adults and that all children deserve to be safe and loved: “You can’t build a movement based on those people, those children. It’s about our children and everybody’s child.” 

Both Lawrence and Burke Harris echoed that science clearly confirms what happens early in life impacts everything–early events are carried with us for the rest of our lives and into our future families and communities. 

Dr. Burke Harris is the one who thrust the subject of adverse childhood experiences into our national consciousness and dialogue. The understanding of ACEs today is due to her insights and work in revealing how early adverse events affect lifelong health and well-being—for individuals, families, and communities. Burke Harris gave the overview of how society is grappling with big, complex issues: a youth mental health crisis, crime and overflowing jails, uncontrollable addiction, and generational cycles of abuse and trauma left on repeat. These dilemmas are often the result of unbuffered, untreated trauma experienced early in life.

Despite this bleak outlook, she gave hope and reason to celebrate “that ACEs are not destiny…with early detection and evidenced-based intervention, we can transform health outcomes.”

Emphasizing that our babies can be better from birth–for the rest of their lives–Dr. Burke Harris energetically described a systems-based solution and stated, “We can do this, and we don’t have to do it alone.” 

“In addition to doing the evidenced-based work that we know makes a difference on the individual level, it’s also really important for us to align our systems so that they can actually generate better outcomes.” 

As Attorney General In California, Burke Harris led the way in deploying a coordinated public health approach, inclduding: research on toxic stress; screening for ACEs in primary care; trauma-informed clinical care; county and local network of care coordination; cross-sector training and competency (for educators, the justice system, and across the board); and public awareness and education. Through California’s statewide ACEs Aware initiative, they helped teach primary care providers how to screen for ACEs. Using the results of the ACE screenings, they changed patient’s access to care by changing eligibility through medicaid. 

“In most of the country, in order to get access to services–mental health services–a person has to have a mental health diagnosis. In fact, if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis, the mental health provider can’t even get paid. They can’t bill…but we know that exposure to ACEs dramatically increases the risk that someone will have an adverse outcome. So, if you’re telling me that you can’t even get services until you’ve proven that you had an adverse outcome, guess what we’re going to keep on seeing? Adverse outcomes! So, this is the reason why we have a system that systematically generates poor outcomes, because you can’t get access to services until you’ve had a poor outcome.” 

According to the CDC, the cost in Florida for untreated ACEs is $796 billion: nationally that cost is $14.1 trillion per year. 

Burke Harris touted our nation’s ability to treat public health crises, citing: the reduction in cigarette smoking amongst high school seniors from 25% in 1976 to 3.6% in 2018; death rates from HIV AIDS dramatically declined over the course of 30 years from a six month mean mortality to now the life expectancy being greater than 50 years from diagnosis. 

She exclaimed, “We have done it before, we can do it again, and for $14.1 trillion a year we can’t afford not to. The time is now!”

In her final statements, Burke Harris acknowledged that “so many of us are living with our own ACEs and that to do this work, self-care is not selfish. Do not forget to put your own oxygen mask on because we need you in this fight.”  

She advised the audience members that as much as they likely want to fix the whole system at once to: “Start where you are, do what you can…You don’t have to boil the ocean, you just have to play your position.” 

Burke Harris gave the examples of philanthropists targeting their dollars; policy makers elevating policies that recognize and support healthcare providers to do their work in ways that prevent adverse outcomes; educators learning about ACEs and toxic stress and recognizing some of the best practices for providing safe, stable, and nurturing environments in the classroom. 

In the closing remarks of the luncheon, CEO of Center for Child Counseling Renée Layman thanked Dr. Burke Harris “for significantly moving the science and humanity of this work forward on behalf of all of us who envision a world without ACEs for our babies and children.”

As a Palm Beach County based nonprofit, Center for Child Counseling focuses on a public health approach to building awareness and action around addressing childhood adversity and trauma. CFCC was founded in 1999 with the vision that every child will grow up feeling safe and nurtured in communities where they can thrive. Using a prevention and healing-centered lens, CFCC focuses on changing the systems and practices that keep adversity and trauma firmly in place.

Center for Child Counseling partners with other agencies in the community and throughout the state, such as FAIMH, to host events like “Celebrating Babies” in order for all community members to understand and own the idea that we each have a stake and role in child and family wellbeing. 

According to Layman, “Children have tremendous potential–which our society needs–and which we have a shared obligation to foster and protect”.

CFCC announced they will welcome back Dr. Burke Harris in person to their Lead the Fight 2025 event on Friday, February 28 at the Kravis Center. For more information on the upcoming event and joining the fight against ACEs, visit: centerforchildcounseling.org/leadthefight

About Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.:
Nadine Burke Harris, M.D., MH, FAAP is an internationally renowned pediatrician, public health advocate, and author–best known for her pioneering work in the field of ACEs and toxic stress.

Dr. Burke Harris is the founder and former CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, an organization dedicated to improving the health of children exposed to ACEs. Dr. Burke Harris served as California’s first Surgeon General, where she focused on addressing the root causes of health disparities and promoting early interventions for childhood trauma. Her influential book, “The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity,” has brought widespread attention to the impact of early adversity on long-term health and well-being.

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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New Grant Gives HOPE to Parents and Children in Palm Beach County

NEWS RELEASE
October 18, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

New Grant Gives HOPE to Parents and Children in Palm Beach County
Center for Child Counseling promotes healthy outcomes and positive experiences within families with a $130,000/year grant from the Youth Services Department. 

Local nonprofit Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) recently secured funding from Palm Beach County Youth Services Department to promote HOPE–healthy outcomes from positive experiences–within families. The $130,000 award per year over the next three years for Project Promoting Family HOPE will be used to offer parent/caregiver education and support to address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, and toxic stress. By integrating prevention and early intervention at the family level, parents and caregivers can create safe, supportive environments that promote resilience, healthy relationships, and well-being. 

According to CFCC CEO Renée Layman, “HOPE is a strategy. Without it, we give in, give up, and believe this world is good enough for our kids.”

Positive connection is at the core of CFCC’s work and mission to build the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children, families, and communities. Through prevention and early intervention, the agency strives to address the root causes of mental health struggles early on, to mitigate crises before they escalate. The Center is fighting ACEs and the youth mental health crisis with the best weapon possible: positive childhood experiences (PCEs) grounded in trauma-informed positive relationships and support. 

Project Promoting Family HOPE provides two-generation interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting, nurturing relationships, safe environments, and opportunities for social and emotional development. Adults who report higher numbers of PCEs are less likely to experience depression or poor mental health, and adolescents who have positive experiences during childhood are less likely to develop mental health problems later in life. 

This project focuses on enhancing the capacities of people who live and work with children to mitigate the impact of ACEs and promote HOPE. Evidenced-based strategies and education will focus on youth and families exposed to a variety of stressors, including: harsh parenting strategies, including abuse; domestic and/or community violence; caregiver arrest, incarceration, or absence from the home; caregiver or family history of addiction, substance misuse, mental illness; homelessness or lack of housing stability; family member’s chronic illness or sudden death; separation from parents or placement in the foster care system. 

“No family should shoulder the burden of parenthood alone, especially in a world that feels increasingly disconnected, with mounting economic and political stress. Our data reflects high levels of parent/caregiver dysregulation. But there is hope. All parents can benefit from a listening ear, a guiding hand, or simply a respite from the daily grind of parenthood. Our goal is to give parents this hope so that they can be the positive force in their children’s growth. So their kids can grow and develop into healthy, resilient adults,” stated Layman. 

Through the PBC Youth Services Department grant, the Center is able to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate parent/caregiver and professional education through various curricular materials and workshops. For instance, A Way of Being with Children: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Building Safety and Resilience, is a new research-based curriculum developed for adults who work or live with elementary-aged children and includes a 140-page manual with access to tip sheets, videos, and workshops. This curriculum is being delivered live, in-person or via Zoom, and has content available on CFCC’s learning management system at bekidsafe.org. Educational materials and workshops are offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole

For more information, visit centerforchildcounseling.org. 

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

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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Celebrates Renée Layman as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree

NEWS RELEASE
October 4, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) Celebrates Renée Layman as an Angels in Adoption® Honoree

U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) celebrated Renée Layman, CEO of Center for Child Counseling (CFCC), as a 2024 Angels in Adoption® Honoree for her outstanding advocacy for adoption and foster care issues. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), which coordinates the Angels in Adoption® Program, honored Layman on September 11, 2024, at their annual Angels in Adoption® Celebration in Washington, D.C.

Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick honored Layman for her passionate advocacy for child and family health, equity, and the provision of high-quality prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed services. Layman is a leader in implementing and promoting comprehensive mental health solutions and eliminating barriers to services. Her commitment to equity ensures that all children and families have access to the resources they need to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. 

“Renée’s advocacy and leadership in the mental health community have significantly contributed to the well-being of countless children and families. She has set an unparalleled standard for mental health services, ensuring that our youngest residents and their parents receive the long-term support and care they need to find stability and a sense of belonging”, said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick.

Layman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with almost thirty years of experience in mental health. As President and Chief Executive Officer for CFCC since 2013, she has spearheaded significant initiatives in child and family mental health–specifically related to trauma-informed care and the prevention, awareness, and healing of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Layman’s leadership extends well beyond her work at CFCC. She is the current vice president and incoming president of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health. She is past co-chair of the Leadership Palm Beach County Engage program (2014-2016), volunteering with the organization for more than six years, including playing a leadership role with their Health and Human Services Committee. She is a past president of the Nonprofit Chamber of Palm Beach County and continues to serve on their board to support local nonprofits. She chairs PBC’s Birth to 22 Trauma Sensitive Community Leaders Education Committee. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Florida Network for Youth and Family Services, a not-for-profit statewide organization representing more than 30 agencies that serve homeless, runaway, and troubled youth ages six and older and their families. This work is in line with her vision to support children and families across Florida. 

The Angels in Adoption® Program is CCAI’s signature public awareness event and provides an annual opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to learn of and recognize the great work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of vulnerable children and families in the United States and abroad. This year, 57 Angels from 34 states were honored through the 26th Annual Angels in Adoption® Program. Read the full list of honorees here.

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. As of October 2022, KidSafe Foundation now operates under Center for Child Counseling as the two entities are now stronger together in their education and prevention of child sexual abuse and childhood trauma.

www.centerforchildcounseling.org Twitter: @ChildCounselPBC Facebook: @CenterforChildCounseling Instagram: @childcounselpbc

About Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

CCAI is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about children and youth in the United States and around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing families. Founded in 2001 by the Co-Chairs of the Adoption Caucus – the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, which is the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in the U.S. Congress – CCAI works with the caucus to eliminate policy barriers that hinder children from realizing their basic right of a family and more effectively raise congressional and public awareness on permanency as it related to adoption, foster care, and child welfare. For more information, visit www.ccainstitute.org.

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Connecting Pediatric Professionals to School-Based Mental Health Services

September 4, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Lead the Fight Event Connects Pediatric Professionals to School-Based Mental Health Services
Center for Child Counseling with Palm Beach Pediatric Society lead the fight in children’s mental health by connecting pediatricians to the supports offered in Palm Beach County schools.

The Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) continued its Lead the Fight series to move forward its efforts addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and childhood trauma with the healthcare providers who are on the frontlines of seeing children and families. In partnership with the Palm Beach Pediatric Society, CFCC hosted part two of a three-part series, The Trauma-Informed Pediatric Practice: The Superheroes Have Arrived, on August 28, 2024, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. 

Led by Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine, president of the Palm Beach Pediatric Society and medical director of Center for Child Counseling, this part of the series focused on how Palm Beach County Schools are helping students with mental health and behavioral concerns–and how pediatricians can tap into available supports to help their patients. The goal of the event was to help pediatricians connect their patients to school-based mental health services–from prevention to crisis support. 

Featured guest speakers included Dr. Seth Bernstein, executive vice president at United Way of Palm Beach County, and Dr. Mary Claire Mucenic, director of behavior and mental health for the School District of Palm Beach County

Overarching themes of the evening included the super power in being an advocate for children’s mental health and the necessity of not waiting for a child to fall apart before helping.

Dr. Bernstein provided the history of mental health supports in schools over the last few decades and the research that supports early intervention and reaching children before diagnosis. 

“All children should get the supports that they need and not have to rely on a diagnosis to bill medicaid or insurance,” Bernstein stated.  

Bernstein also shared his personal story of undergoing his parents’ divorce and his introduction to school mental health as a recipient of services. When in high school, the school social worker, Mr. C, invited him to join a “divorce group.” This group helped Bernstein gain the support of his peers, learn coping skills, and build resiliency. He then took a peer support class and by senior year was leading a class for the younger classmen and giving back. 

“He [Mr. C] really set me on this path of who I am today…it really made me into an advocate to really eliminate barriers to access school mental health services for youth and their families…I’m totally committed to supporting the mental health of our children and the support of our families and hope that you will be superheroes also in this fight,“ advocated Bernstein. 

Dr. Mucenic re-stressed the importance of students and families being able to access mental health supports in schools and gave a detailed overview of the services that are provided in the 179 schools that make up the Palm Beach County School District 

Aa part of the school district’s strategic plan, they are measuring and following objectives to support mental health and well being, including: enhance a sense of belonging, safety, and acceptance for all students; and trauma-informed care and practices.

The schools recognize the importance of destigmatizing mental health services and share the message throughout their campuses that, “It’s OK to be OK. It’s OK to not be OK. It’s OK to ask for help.” 


Mucenic emphasized “We have people on every school campus to support mental health. It’s really important.”

Each school’s mental health team includes: school counselor(s), ESOL school coordinator, school psychologist(s), school behavioral health professional, co-located mental health professional (at 115 of the schools), and SBT/CST leader. There are also supports provided at the district level, such as the CAPE Team, Mobile Response Team, and community-based agencies with whom the district partners. 

Center for Child Counseling CEO Renée Layman gave a brief overview of the agency’s public health framework and their data-to-action approach of prevention, early intervention, and treatment. The Center realizes that children don’t necessarily need treatment only, the caregivers need ways to help their own kids. 

“We have focused largely on building the capacity of people who work and live with kids to promote their well-being and resilience,” said Layman.

Dominika Nolan, director of education and prevention services for CFCC gave an overview of all of the services offered to children, families, schools, and communities in order to build the capacity and promote positive mental health for all. 

In the closing remarks for the evening, Dr. Fox-Levine encouraged all attendees to think about, “How can you take action now and step out of this room tonight and into your day tomorrow and be a superhero even more than what you have been in the past with the information and energy from tonight about the exciting things that are happening with our schools and being able to partner with schools?” 

In 2015, Center for Child Counseling launched Fighting ACEs to build awareness and action to mitigate the impact of ACEs and build well-being through Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). In conjunction with Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2017, the Center developed ‘Lead the Fight’ in 2016 to bring awareness to system leaders around fighting childhood adversity with advocacy and action. Since that time, the agency has educated tens of thousands of parents, professionals, and systems leaders. 

Partnership sponsors who are leading the fight in making these important and necessary conversations possible include: BeWellPBC, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Hanley Foundation, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Palm Beach Pediatrics, Palm Beach Pediatric Society, and Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley

CFCC’s Fighting ACEs initiative to build trauma-informed communities is made possible with the generous support of Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and private donors.

CFCC’s pediatric integration program is made possible thanks to the support of Quantum Foundation, The Frederick DeLuca Foundation, and Palm Beach County Community Services Department

Part 3 of the Lead the Fight 2024 series, Positivity Will Give HOPE for Our Future, will take place on December 4. The event focus will be on understanding the effect of Positive Childhood Experiences on countering the long-term possible effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

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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Seven Local Families Receive $7,000 Each Through the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation ‘Christmas in July’ Initiative

NEWS RELEASE

August 13, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com

Seven Local Families Receive $7,000 Each Through the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation ‘Christmas in July’ Initiative

Summer gift provides monetary relief to Center for Child Counseling families experiencing unique and significant challenges.

Through a special summer Christmas in July initiative, The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation chose seven families through the Center for Child Counseling to receive $7,000 each in an effort to provide financial assistance to families who have faced significant challenges and would greatly benefit from support. The seven families gathered at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center in West Palm Beach on August 6 to receive the much-needed and much-appreciated checks. 

The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, based in Palm Beach, started the Christmas in July program in 2011 to alleviate the lack of funding for non-profits during the summer. Each year the organization accepts applications from selected, local non-profits to learn of their most deserving families in need of monetary relief.

This year’s recipients are resilient families receiving therapeutic services through the Center for Child Counseling and working to build better lives for their children. The families include: a 33-year old single mother of two who is on dialysis three times a week and legally blind; a 25-year-old single mother of five children who is currently escaping an abusive relationship with the children’s father and residing in a shelter; grandparents caring for their grandson because of the abuse he experienced while under the care of his mother; a 17-year-old single mother who will be faced with eviction from her home when she turns 18 in the coming months; a single mother of two who has endured profound hardships and emotional turmoil and living in a small, old studio apartment that is not safe; a 20-year-old single mother of two who has a long history of homelessness due to no fault of her own; a 14-year-old daughter who is living with her mother who had a traumatic life-altering injury that has caused extremely limited mobility and now their basic needs are not always met.

When Center for Child Counseling CEO Renée Layman announced that assistance would be provided to each of the seven families, there was a resounding sense of disbelief, gratitude, and tears of joy.  

The families expressed this “life changing” support would be used for things such as: first, last, and security deposits to obtain stable housing; food; medical care; childcare; diapers; back-to-school supplies. 

“We are most grateful to the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation for their year-round leadership in our community of serving and helping those most in need. Thank you for continuing to be a partner of ours and bringing essential financial assistance to families who are struggling and especially need a hand up in the summer months while parents may have increased difficulty with childcare and are preparing to send their children back to school,” stated Layman. 

PHOTO ID:
(Credit – Tracey Benson Photography)
Center for Child Counseling staff and board members with the families who received financial assistance from The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation Christmas in July initiative at the UB Kinsey Educational and Community Center on August 6, 2024. 

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

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Dr. Fox-Levine Receives Physician Hero in Medicine Award

June 3, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com 

Dr. Fox-Levine Receives Physician Hero in Medicine Award

Palm Beach Medical Society Services recently honored Shannon Fox-Levine, M.D., as the Physician Hero in Medicine at its 21st Annual Heroes in Medicine Awards Luncheon on May 23, 2024, at Benvenuto’s in Boynton Beach. The awards honor people throughout Palm Beach County who use their skills and resources to provide outstanding service. 

Dr. Fox-Levine serves as president of Palm Beach Pediatrics, president of Palm Beach Pediatric Society, and medical director of Center for Child Counseling. She was awarded Physician Hero for embodying the characteristics of skill, compassion, and dedication to the ideals and beliefs of the profession and for contributing in significant ways to the betterment of health care. 

“This is an amazing honor to be awarded as the Physician Hero in this county of pretty amazing physicians, so I really appreciate the recognition for the work I do in this county…when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and that’s me,” expressed Dr. Fox-Levine in her acceptance speech.

As a strong advocate for Florida’s private pediatric healthcare providers, Dr. Fox-Levine’s tireless efforts have improved the financial landscape for pediatric practices and enhanced the quality of care for children across the state. Her decade-long service as the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Council Chair and her advocacy for  appropriate pay for services have earned Dr. Fox-Levine the prestigious American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Special Achievement Award.

Dr. Fox-Levine’s appointment as the Medical Director at Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) signifies a pivotal milestone in her career. Her expertise and dedication come at a critical time when our nation’s youth are facing a mental health crisis. In this role, she plays a crucial part in addressing the shortage of professionals capable of supporting the overall well-being of children. Through her leadership, CFCC is poised to expand its impact in providing essential mental health support to vulnerable youth in Palm Beach County. 

Dr. Fox-Levine has been involved with CFCC for more than 10 years, also serving as a board member and medical consultant. CFCC’s Pediatric Integration Program was launched three years ago with Palm Beach Pediatrics to expand mental health services available to children served within the primary care setting–bridging the gap between primary care and community mental health. In her role as Medical Director, Dr. Fox-Levine works in tandem with CFCC leadership to expand support to other practices in Palm Beach County.

Dr. Fox-Levine’s involvement in various healthcare committees underscores her commitment to advancing pediatric care on multiple fronts. Locally, she has served as President of the Palm Beach Pediatric Society since 2014, working to build a collaborative network of pediatric care  providers and sub-specialists in Palm Beach County. Nationally, as a committee member on the Payer Advocacy Advisory Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics, she contributes to assessing the public and private payer sector–advocating for benefits coverage for primary care pediatricians. Her participation in the Joe DiMaggio Neighborhood Partners further demonstrates her dedication to providing care to community members across South Florida. Dr. Fox-Levine’s multifaceted involvement in healthcare committees highlights her role as a strong leader in advocating for the comprehensive care of children and young adults. 

According to Renée Layman, CEO of Center for Child Counseling and the one who nominated Dr. Fox-Levine for the honor, “Shannon is a fierce, passionate advocate for children. Her tireless efforts are ensuring that all children in our community have the opportunity to grow up safe and healthy. For this, she is most deserving of being named a Hero in Medicine.” 

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

Click here to view the news release.

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Jane Robinson Receives Viola Brody Award from Florida Association for Play Therapy.

NEWS RELEASE
May 22, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com 

 

Founder of Local Nonprofit Honored for Her Work with Children in Play Therapy
Jane Robinson receives Viola Brody Award from Florida Association for Play Therapy.

Jane Robinson has been championing children in Palm Beach County for more than 25 years, advocating for their mental health through play therapy. Robinson was recently honored with the Viola Brody Award for being an outstanding Florida Play Therapist. 

Since 2005, the Florida Association for Play Therapy (FAPT) has honored an outstanding Florida Play Therapist at the FAPT Annual Conference with the Viola Brody Award– established in recognition and in memory of Viola Brody, Ph.D. who is considered a pioneer in play therapy for developing a theoretical approach called Developmental Play Therapy.

“Jane is an outstanding play therapist and, like Dr. Brody, has been a pioneer for her work in bringing play therapy to children and families in Palm Beach County in the 1990s. She has trained thousands of members of the community in play therapy. Jane is a source of knowledge and inspiration, and bar none, she is most deserving of this award,” stated Renée Layman, CEO and president of Center for Child Counseling

Robinson founded Palm Beach Gardens-based nonprofit Center for Child Counseling in 1999 as All ‘Bout Children. Although Robinson retired in May 2013, she continues to work as a consultant to Layman and volunteers her time training through the Center’s Institute for Clinical Training and providing support to the clinical supervisors. Robinson founded the organization with the vision of providing free mental health services to the youngest and most vulnerable children in the county. 

As a licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist supervisor, and certified infant mental health specialist through The Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy at Florida State University, Robinson served as a strong advocate for young children in our community. In her leadership role in the area of early childhood mental health, she collaborated with the local community colleges and universities in training students, teachers, and graduate-level mental health counselor/social worker interns in play therapy for the young child (ages birth-5). She has presented to teachers, directors, and supervisors in child development centers and professional, local, and national conferences on mental health for the young child. Robinson created a manual, “Managing Feelings and Behavior in the Classroom and at Home,” which has been updated and is used by the Center as a guide and reference for teachers and parents of young children. She co-authored a chapter titled “Play Therapy Techniques with Very Young At-Risk Children in Child Care Settings” published in the book “Play Therapy with Very Young Children,” edited by Dr. Charles Shaefer. 

“I am humbled to be a recipient of the Viola Brody Award. Early in my career as a play therapist, I found a book, “Dialogue of Touch: Developmental Play Therapy,” by Viola Brody. I read it, took workshops with Viola, and sat with her for a snack at the National Association for Play Therapy Conferences around 1998-2000. Viola’s training gave me insight on how to work with the very youngest (infant to 3 years) and their caregivers in child care centers. Viola gave me the tools needed to model the importance of developmentally-appropriate touch, support, and attachment for the well-being of the very young child and those older who did not receive the care at a young age. I will be forever grateful,” said Robinson.

Criteria to receive the Viola Brody Award include: being a member of FAPT/APT for at least five years; making an outstanding contribution to the field of Play Therapy in the State of Florida, nationally, or internationally; and not being a current FAPT Board Member or a member of the FAPT Award Committee. 

Other recognition that Robinson has received includes: Volunteer of the Year for Play Therapy and Teacher Training by the YMCA of Boca Raton, FL, in 2000; the Mary Bondarin Award for Service to Children and Families by the Association of Education for the Young Child of the Palm Beaches in 2004; a “notable” (person who cares about their community) by the Palm Beach Post in 2005. She was also nominated for the 2011 “Purpose Prize,” a national award for people over 60 who combine their passion and experience for social good. 

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

Click here to view release.

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CFCC Opens New Location in West Palm Beach

NEWS RELEASE
May 13, 2024
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen
Center for Child Counseling Public Relations Counsel
cara@yourmissionmarketing.com
561-632-6747

Local Nonprofit Opens New Location to Serve Kids and Families on Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Center for Child Counseling holds a ribbon cutting for its newest location in West Palm Beach.

Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) has expanded its prevention, education, and mental health services in the heart of West Palm Beach. A ribbon cutting and open house took place on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the newest space located at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center in West Palm Beach.

This additional location will be a hub for child and family health in West Palm Beach, along with the other community organizations housed at the U.B. Kinsey facility–Children’s Home Society’s Bridges and FAU Community Health. CFCC’s placement at U.B. Kinsey is a result of FAU Community Health’s community survey which listed mental health services as the number one priority.

Dr. Eugenia Millender, current chair of CFCC’s board of directors and former head of FAU Community Health in Westgate, was part of the initial vision of the new space and shared a few words about the need for this facility in the community.

“One of the things we want to make sure we do is embed mental health services in every community, in every child center, in every community center, in every school,” stated Millender.

She discussed the importance of mental fitness as a way to deal with the hardships of life and the necessity to prepare individuals for what the world will bring–preparing “the mother, the father, the aunt, the grandparent to be able to provide better care for their child, grandchild to become wonderful, beautiful citizens.” 

This new location has allowed CFCC to create two safe spaces–a training room and a family room. The family room is designed as two-dimensional to serve both the child and caregivers. The agency will offer family support groups, infant mental health, circles of security.

“Parents can see live, right here, how to play with their child. They’ll practice together. They will build bonds and connections…we need to bring them together and create safety and connection that’s really going to promote their mental health and wellbeing,” explained CEO and President Renée Layman. 

Layman emphasized the importance of having spaces like these in schools, child care centers, and community centers for children and families as a means for creating positive childhood experiences (PCEs)–the antidote to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 

According to Dr. Millender, “It was a beautiful vision that we started a long time ago…bringing different organizations under one roof to provide better care for the whole community.”

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. 

CFCC’s office locations include: Child and Family First Center, 5205 Greenwood Avenue, West Palm Beach; Admin and Child First Office, 8895 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens; Child First Office South, 2328 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth; and U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center, 720 8th Street, West Palm Beach. CFCC’s services and therapists are also integrated within schools, childcare centers, and pediatric offices throughout Palm Beach County.

For more information, visit: centerforchildcounseling.org.

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Pediatric Society Reconvenes for the First Time Since COVID to Discuss How to Integrate Mental Health into Primary Care

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

Pediatric Society Reconvenes for the First Time Since COVID to Discuss How to Integrate Mental Health into Primary Care

Palm Beach Pediatric Society joins Center for Child Counseling in leading the fight in children’s mental health. 

In partnership with the Palm Beach Pediatric Society, the Center for Child Counseling continued its Lead the Fight series to move forward its efforts addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and childhood trauma with the healthcare providers who are on the frontlines of seeing children and families. Part one of a three-part series, The Trauma-Informed Pediatric Practice: We Are the Boots on the Ground, took place April 17, 2024, at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. 

Led by Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine, president of the Palm Beach Pediatric Society and medical director of Center for Child Counseling, this initial part of the series focused on how pediatric medical professionals can provide pediatric mental health integration by being trauma-informed in their primary care and subspecialty offices.

“When we look at our systems–whether it’s our schools, our legal systems, our department of juvenile justice, our medical system with our pediatricians–you are often the most trusted person in a child’s life, in a family’s life,” stated Renée Layman, president and CEO of Center for Child Counseling, in her opening address to the more than 80 pediatric healthcare providers and community partners in attendance. 

Fox-Levine emphasized that as often the person a parent or family turns to when in crisis, the primary care and subspecialty pediatric providers should be armed with the tools to identify mental health risks. Since physical health and mental health cannot be separated, pediatric medical professionals are at the forefront of the youth mental health crisis. She discussed the impact of childhood trauma into adulthood: from depression, higher risk of suicide, incarceration to the risks of cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases.

“We protect kids, that’s our mission, preventative care to keep them healthy, to keep them from getting those illnesses, like polio. So, we really need to think of that as we leave here tonight…setting that mission for all of us is to think of it more of those effects of trauma on children, what that looks like for that adult. And what the impact of finding those kids now through our recommended screening processes will do for those same adults in the future,” said Fox-Levine.

The presentation provided the practical strategies and toolkit of resources necessary for the healthcare providers to address children’s mental health needs–screening early and connecting children and families to the appropriate care and support offered in Palm Beach County. 

Center for Child Counseling team members–Mackenzie Halley, director of the pediatric integration program, and Jibby Ciric, senior director of strategic impact–provided an overview of adverse childhood experiences and adverse community experiences and how to create a trauma-informed community to support a child’s development and to recognize and stop childhood trauma. 

This event marked the first time in more than four years that the Palm Beach Pediatric society convened. The primary pediatric providers had the opportunity to talk to each other about the mental health crisis that all pediatricians are seeing and offer each other peer support. 

In 2015, Center for Child Counseling launched Fighting ACEs to build awareness and action to mitigate the impact of ACEs and build well-being through Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). In conjunction with Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2017, the Center developed ‘Lead the Fight’ in 2016 to bring awareness to system leaders around fighting childhood adversity with advocacy and action. Since that time, the agency has educated tens of thousands of parents, professionals, and systems leaders. 

Partnership sponsors who are leading the fight in making these important conversations and educational series possible include: BeWellPBC, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County; Florida Association for Infant Mental Health; Hanley Foundation, Palm Beach Pediatrics, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Mead Johnson/Enfamil, and Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley

CFCC’s Fighting ACEs initiative to build trauma-informed communities is made possible with the generous support of Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and private donors.

CFCC’s pediatric integration program is made possible thanks to the support of Quantum Foundation, The Frederick DeLuca Foundation, and Palm Beach County Community Services Department

Part 2 of the Lead the Fight 2024 series, The Superheroes Have Arrived, will take place on August 28. The event focus will be on how Palm Beach County Schools are helping students in mental health crisis with the CAPE Team and other mental health services.

Part 3, Positivity Will Give HOPE for Our Future, is scheduled for December 4, and will feature understanding the effect of Positive Childhood Experiences on countering the long-term possible effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

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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Mix & Mingle Drives Change for Kids

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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