A CHILD’S HAVEN: Creating Therapeutic Environments for Children and Families Affected by Trauma

Emily Harper • August 9, 2021

Five Forks Neighbors Charity Spotlight article written by Shanna Walker. Published July 2021

A Child’s Haven (ACH) is a Greenville based, non-profit organization that treats children with developmental delays as a result of limited resources, abuse, or neglect. They also provide support and education for the child and their families. Research from 2019 indicated that in Greenville County, nearly 60% of children under the age of five have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). Approximately 20% of those children live in poverty, and about 12% suffer developmental delays.

For children with behavioral, social, or emotional challenges, success in a mainstream child care program or preschool can be difficult. ACH delivers therapeutic child care for victims of abuse and neglect, along with therapeutic interventions for caregivers, many of who have suffered similar trauma. Most of the children at ACH have been expelled from a typical daycare setting due to developmental delays or behavioral health issues associated with trauma. Lack of access to a regular early childhood development program severely impacts these children’s ability to transition to a traditional classroom setting upon entering the public school system. Their developmental and academic delays place them far behind their peers. Without early intervention, the vast majority of these children may never recover from such a poor start to their education.

ACH embraces new innovations in the childhood mental health field and wants to capitalize on the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors by transforming its outdoor spaces into Therapeutic Outdoor Environments (TOEs). Plans for the TOEs include four distinct spaces. The Pavilion is currently a paved and covered area for tricycle rides and playtime on rainy days.

The refreshed Pavilion will add a dozen species of new plants, a butterfly garden, and a beautiful pathway that crosses over a bridge and under a pergola. The Vegetable Garden currently on site
consists of a few raised garden beds where fruits and vegetables are grown. The new Vegetable Garden will include expanded planting beds with fruit trees, berries, and herbs. This new space will encourage healthy eating, teach patience and responsibility, and demonstrate teamwork. The foods grown here will be used in the ACH kitchen and distributed to the families they serve. The Retreat Garden is a totally new space that will be perfect for Individual Therapy sessions, de-escalation walks for children experiencing outbursts, or, simply, a calm and beautiful place for staff to recharge. A new Infant Playground will include plants, an acoustic play space, a play house, a paved walkway for wheeled play, and a shade sail to protect the little ones on hot days.

This inspiring plan doesn’t stop with just these spaces. Funds are being raised for a second phase which includes transforming three acres of unutilized land into a microfarm. “We are collaborating with local partners across sectors to bring this vision to life,” says Tanya Camunas, executive director of A Child’s Haven. “These environments are optimal for at-risk children and families to heal, learn, and thrive,” Tanya continues. “We’re excited that our organization could be on the cutting edge of what the standards for all early childhood developmental and educational programs should be.”

With so much activity and growth at the center, ACH is looking for additional staff to support their expansion. Interested applicants can find out more on ACH’s employment opportunities on their website, www. achildshaven.org/careers/.

For more information about A Child’s Haven, its mission, and the Therapeutic Outdoor Environments project, visit their website.

Lincoln and Jasmine's Story

By A Child's Haven • July 20, 2022
Twins, Lincoln and Jasmine, were three years old when referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH) by their Early Interventionist (EI) for speech delays and extreme separation anxiety. Lincoln and Jasmine’s mother, Jessica, shared with their EI that she was struggling with her husband’s death and needed help. Her EI had just attended a Lunch and Learn at ACH and knew Jessica and this family could benefit from our multigenerational treatment services. During their ACH intake, Jessica revealed Lincoln and Jasmine’s father passed away shortly after their second birthday. After their father’s death, the twins had very different reactions. Jasmine developed extreme separation anxiety, and Lincoln went from a boy full of personality to not talking at all. The first few weeks of drop offs were extremely tough for the twins. Emotions ran high, and you could feel the children’s despair and insecurity. Our clinical team showered them with patience and support, and Jessica’s Child and Family Therapist walked her through different ways to comfort and help Lincoln and Jasmine with this transition. Once the children became more comfortable with coming to ACH, a transformation began. Our clinical team helped Jasmine identify her anxiety and taught her healthy coping strategies. Lincoln learned other ways to communicate, starting with basic sign language, until he gained the confidence to speak simple words like, “Yes”, “No”, and “Thank you.” After several months, Lincoln was speaking in full sentences again. The twins weren’t the only ones making progress. Jessica had major breakthroughs during Family Therapy sessions with their Child and Family Therapist. She worked through a lot of her grief, learned better routines that would help their family at home, and practiced coping skills with her children. Lincoln and Jasmine are now five years old and getting ready for Kindergarten this fall. The whole family continues making progress each day. An investment in A Child’s Haven is an investment in a child and family’s mental health. Donate today.

Inaugural 4K Graduation

By A Child's Haven • June 7, 2022
A Child’s Haven (ACH) hosted its inaugural 4K graduation Friday, June 3, 2022 in collaboration with South Carolina First Steps (SCFS). Family members, ACH staff, community members, and Miss South Carolina USA, Meera Bhonsle, were all present for the celebration. ACH was the fourth SCFS 4K program in Greenville County and launched in August 2021. ACH also provides Therapeutic Child Care to young children suffering from trauma or abuse. The SCFS 4K program adds a traditional academic component and further ensures a child’s success when they enter a public-school classroom. ACH Program Director, Coraretta Smalls, leads the initiative with support from other clinical staff. The SCFS 4K Program enhances the ACH program as a model for Therapeutic Child Care in South Carolina. ACH Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, commented that, “We are thrilled to be graduating our first 4K class this year. Our children will enter public school having overcome their trauma and prepared to be great learners.” South Carolina First Steps is the state’s only dedicated, comprehensive early childhood initiative focused on getting children ready for school and life success. Martha M. Strickland, South Carolina First Steps 4K State Director said, “We are grateful to A Child’s Haven for partnering with First Steps 4K so that all students are fully prepared for kindergarten. SC First Steps 4K gives families the opportunity to enroll their eligible child in a free, high-quality 4K program of their choice as part of South Carolina’s Child Early Reading Development and Education Program (CERDEP).” About A Childs Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in the state. https://achildshaven.org/ About South Carolina First Steps: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness (SCFS) is both a nonprofit and state agency and is the only dedicated comprehensive early childhood agency in South Carolina focused on getting children ready for school and life success. We serve more than 30,000 children in 81 school districts across 46 counties. https://scfirststeps.org/

ACH Receives CARF Re-Accreditation for the Fourth Consecutive Time

By A Child's Haven • June 7, 2022
A Child’s Haven (ACH) recently earned our fourth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). ACH is accredited until March 31, 2025 for Intense Family Based Services: Family Services (Children and Adolescent); with Board Governance Standards applied. CARF’s decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and demonstrates ACH’s conformance to CARF standards. The process involved a rigorous peer review by a team of surveyors during an on-site visit, and the outcome affirmed ACH’s commitment to offer programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. “CARF commends A Child’s Haven’s commitment and consistent efforts to improve the quality of tis programs and services and looks forward to working with the organization in its ongoing pursuit of excellence,” said President and CEO of CARF, Brian J. Boon, Ph.D. This achievement came as ACH celebrates their 30 th anniversary of providing healing therapy to children and families who have suffered from trauma. Executive Director, Tanya Camunas, said this about their recent accomplishment, “We are extremely proud of achieving the highest level of accreditation that CARF offers. This further distinguishes A Child’s Haven as an organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of lives of children and families in our community.” Learn more about ACH’s services and how you can get involved at www.achildshaven.org About A Child’s Haven: Founded in 1992 by Eva P. Hunt, ACH is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides healing therapy for Greater Greenville’s developmentally challenged at-risk preschoolers, while fortifying vulnerable families and strengthening our community. It is one of only two Therapeutic Child Care service providers in South Carolina. https://achildshaven.org/ About CARF: CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org .
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