Greenville News Opinion: How ACH seeks ‘transformative outcomes’ for abused, neglected children

Emily Harper • February 24, 2020

Mental health issues affect all ages, and the mental health issues of our youngest children require serious clinical interventions to both heal the child and prevent potential deterioration of the entire family. The term Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompasses all types of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences suffered by children under 18.

These experiences, if not treated, very often lead to risky behaviors, chronic health conditions, and early death. The level of exposure to ACEs severely hinders economic mobility and eventual prosperity of victims and their families. That, in turn, hurts our entire community. Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates report that child abuse and neglect costs America approximately $124 billion per year.

A Child’s Haven serves young victims of abuse and neglect in specialized classrooms staffed by trained educators and clinicians. Many of our children also reside with adult caregivers who suffered abuse and neglect when they were young, and A Child’s Haven treats those families in their homes. We are unique in the Upstate, and our innovative, multi-generational approach to counteracting negative effects of ACEs with therapy distinguishes us in the field of behavioral health.

Nearly 1,000 of Greenville’s children under age 5 are confirmed victims of neglect or abuse each year, and more than 9,000 statewide. Infant victims miss important developmental milestones and grow up to be young children who act out. Many are suspended or expelled from child care centers. Across America, approximately 250 preschoolers are suspended or expelled each day.

A Child’s Haven is not a typical child care center. We work with young children and families who lack access to high-quality behavioral health treatment. The children and families we serve have high ACE scores that require intensive therapy to reshape their futures.

A July 2019 congressional hearing on childhood abuse and neglect reached three important conclusions: “Childhood trauma is a pervasive public health issue with long- term negative health effects that cost the United States billions of dollars; we need a comprehensive federal approach that…prioritizes prevention and treatment; some states and localities are implementing promising programs…that can inform federal solutions – but they face resource constraints that limit their ability….”

A Child’s Haven is one of those local resources. We invest in our direct service staff and evidence-based programs to deliver highly effective treatment. We recently hired a bi-lingual clinician who works with Spanish-speaking children. The high quality of our staff and services is critical to achieving desired outcomes.

University of Chicago economist Dr. James Heckman found in research conducted in and around Chapel Hill that high-quality, birth-to-5 early childhood education for disadvantaged families generated a 13% return on investment for each year of a child’s life. The return for those also suffering from abuse and neglect undoubtedly is even higher.

A Child’s Haven is one of only two organizations in South Carolina, along with Children’s Place in Aiken, that provides classroom-based Therapeutic Child Care. It is a child-focused, family-centered intervention that targets the relationship between the child and the parent. Our children receive classroom-based and individual therapy within an evidence-based curriculum called Incredible Beginnings.

This year we will add Child-Parent Psychotherapy as an evidence-based family therapy in the home with caregivers and the child. Services are relationship-based, developmentally appropriate and trauma informed. Our three-core service model of child and family services will become the first evidence-based behavioral health program of its kind in South Carolina. We then will replicate it with confidence to reach families beyond Greenville County.

A Child’s Haven has a 28-year legacy of improving the lives of at-risk young children and their families in Greenville County. Our therapies aim to keep children in their homes and communities, rather than displacing the child into foster care, and they promote behaviors and skill sets that preclude future interventions.

We yield transformative outcomes for children and families. Children move on to successful years in traditional classrooms, and caregivers find the stability that allows them to live and work productively in our community.

We invite you to learn more about the effects of abuse and neglect and our work at A Child’s Haven by visiting www.achildshaven.org. We welcome guests by appointment, and if you know someone who might benefit from our program, please contact us to talk to a clinician.

Tanya Camunas serves as Executive Director at A Child’s Haven and can be reached at tanyac@achildshaven.org.

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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