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FAMILY
AND CHILDREN'S SERVICE RECEIVES $51,000 GRANT
FROM BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Agency Will Expand
a Trauma Debriefing Project that Makes Mental
Health Care More Accessible to Children Exposed to Violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn.,
July 16, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a $51,000 grant to support
the trauma debriefing program at Family and Children's Service. The program
is a partnership with the Nashville police to ensure that children who
witness violence or are victims themselves get the mental health care
they need. The grant will enable Family and Children's Service to expand
their on-call crisis counseling from daytime hours to 24-hour coverage
and to add a part-time case manager.
A 2000 report from the Children Defense Fund stated that a child is reported
abused or neglected every 49 minutes in Tennessee. Even more frequently,
children are innocent bystanders to violent acts and other traumatic events.
They often show their distress through behavioral and emotional symptoms.
Without the proper counseling and support, these children may grow up
to be violent themselves.
The trauma debriefing program aims to stop the cycle of violence through
timely intervention. Police officers are key players in the project since
they are usually the first ones at the scene of a violent crime.
"Many times I've heard police officers say they are haunted by the
kids they see at a violent crime scene. Our trauma debriefing program
gives them practical interventions," said Peg Leonard-Martin, L.C.S.W.,
director of outreach services, Family and Children's Service.
The Family and Children's Service trauma debriefing program is based on
a model project, which was launched in 1991 by the Yale University Child
Study Center and the New Haven Police Department and funded by the U.S.
Department of Justice. Family and Children's Service was chosen in 1996
to be among the first four sites to pilot the program. It is now underway
in 14 cities nationwide with dozens of other cities undergoing the application
and review process to implement the program.
The Family and Children's Service trauma debriefing program includes several
components. It trains police officers to recognize symptoms of trauma,
to respond constructively to children and family members and to make referrals
or call counselors to the scene for support. Clinicians are on call 24
hours a day to consult with police officers or to offer direct support
at the scene of a crime. Children and family members also receive ongoing
counseling as needed to work through their grief and distress. In addition,
the program includes educational programs for children in the community
on topics such as conflict resolution, violence and personal safety, as
well as family support groups.
Lieutenant Ben Dicke, a Nashville police officer, has been a member of
the Family and Children's Service trauma debriefing leadership team since
the project's inception.
"They can't expect everyone who needs help to come to them, so we
are trained to be the eyes and ears on the street for clinicians,"
Dicke said. "Before the project, when I would see a child at a traumatic
crime scene, I would think 'that kid's not going to have much of a chance.'
Now I can make a referral and get them some help."
Approximately 600 Nashville officers, have been trained so far, according
to Dicke. About 700 more -- the entire police force -- will be trained
by the end of 2003.
"The Baxter International Foundation is proud to join this collaborative
effort to increase access to mental health care for children who have
suffered from violence," said Patricia Morgan, executive director
of The Baxter International Foundation. "It is a logical fit for
social work and police professionals to work together to make a greater
impact in their community, and as a result, make a greater impact on reducing
the cycle of violence."
Family and Children's Service has served Nashville since 1943. The agency's
mission is to strengthen children and families through an array of mental
health services, a center for adoption and educational programs. Its services
are available at five office locations, seven inner-city schools and in
25 surrounding counties where Tennessee Families First services are available.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2001, foundation grants totaling $4.8 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. a global health care company that, through its
subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening
conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products
and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging
medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies,
infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma. Baxter employs more than
400 people in Tennessee at its facilities in Memphis and Nashville.
For information about volunteering at the Family and Children's Service,
call (615) 327-0833.
Editor's note:
For more information, you are invited to attend the check presentation
that will take place on July 16, 2002 at 2:00 at Family and Children Service,
201 23rd Avenue North (corner of Brandau and 23rd Avenues).
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Tanya Tyska, Baxter, 847-948-3256
Pat Shea, Family and Children's Service, 615-327-0833 ext. 112
Don Aaron, Office of the Chief of Police, 615-862-7306
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