Opinion: As pandemic subsides, A Child’s Haven looks to new challenges ahead

Michael Beaver • May 12, 2021

Published 4:00 p.m. ET May 8, 2021

As summer 2021 looms, no one doubts there will be unprecedented challenges as we emerge from a pandemic and slowly return to normal lives and relationships. Experts fear that child abuse and neglect grew during the previous year as family stress coupled with isolation from school and other public outlets prevented detection and intervention by those trained to help.

Children living in poverty with caregivers struggling to provide for their families — while battling their own mental health challenges — are at greater risk for abuse or neglect. The coronavirus pandemic placed the most vulnerable among us at risk of even greater potential harm.

An AP national analysis has found there were more than 400,000 fewer child welfare concerns reported during the pandemic, and 200,000 fewer child abuse and neglect investigations and assessments, compared with the same time period of 2019, an 18% decrease in both total reports and   investigations.

These are the children that we serve at A Child’s Haven (ACH). The agency delivers therapeutic child care for victims of abuse and neglect, along with therapeutic interventions for caregivers, many of whom have suffered similar trauma. ACH delivers classroom-based therapy that is evidence-based and trauma-informed. Each child receives individual therapy from a licensed clinician at least once weekly, and that same clinician provides in-home therapy with the child and his or her   caregivers.

Research from 2019 indicates that approximately 32,000 children under age 5 live in  Greenville County, and nearly 60% of them have experienced at least one “Adverse Childhood Experience.” Twenty percent live in poverty, approximately 12% suffer a developmental delay, and more than 1,000 children experience abuse or neglect. We fear that number has risen, perhaps significantly.

 

All of our children at ACH are diagnosed with a clinical behavioral health disorder, necessitating intense intervention for rehabilitation. Almost one-third of our children live in foster care or with a relative as a result of abuse or neglect, and nearly half of our families are involved with the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS). Two-thirds of our families are single-parent households, and 38% of our families experience some form of household unemployment. Three-quarters of our caregivers hold a high school education or less.

All of the children at ACH have been expelled from a typical day-care setting because of behavioral health issues resulting from trauma. Their removal from a regular early childhood development program severely impacts their ability to adapt and thrive in a regular school classroom once they enter the public school system. Their developmental and academic delays place them far behind their peers, and without intervention the vast majority may never   recover.

The ACH program is designed to equip children, and their caregivers, with the tools and education to overcome these challenges and return to a regular early childhood setting, or a school classroom.

As we emerge from this crisis, our most vulnerable children need our help, guidance and protection. ACH learned a lot in 2020. We expanded our program to an 11-hour day, added the ABC Quality program, and partnered with SC First Steps in our 4K program. We plan in 2021 to dramatically upgrade our outdoor space to focus even more on trauma-informed therapy. We would love for you to learn more about us by visiting our website.

And, if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected or is in immediate danger, call 911. If you think a family could benefit from our services, visit AChildsHaven.org to make a referral or contact us.

Tanya Camunas is executive director of 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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