Tony’s Story

Emily Harper • February 18, 2021

Tony and his mother Carole were referred to A Child’s Haven (ACH) when Tony was four years old. They came from an abusive background and because of their trauma history, Tony had extreme behavioral issues. During their intake appointment, Carole told the Child and Family Therapist (CFT) that Tony could have up to 12 tantrums a day. She also said that when her son was upset, he became very aggressive. Tony’s tantrums would often escalate to physical outbursts like  pushing the tv over or punching and kicking his mother or siblings. Carole was desperate and confided, “I don’t even know where to begin.” The CFT reassured Carole that she was making a great start by coming to ACH and that the treatment would help Tony and the entire family. 

During Tony’s first week at ACH, he was not responsive to the treatment providers in the room. When asked questions or given tasks, Tony would turn around and ignore them or would start throwing toys. The treatment providers searched to find productive ways for Tony to channel his negative energy. Tony began gravitating towards the bubbles and asked the providers to blow bubbles for him when he was getting upset.

Along with the group treatment, Tony and his mother also worked with their CFT at ACH during their Individual Therapy and Family Therapy sessions. Their therapist focused on specific topics to help Tony progress. Through play therapy, the therapist acted out situations with toys and dolls, helping Tony understand how to recognize emotions and how to communicate them to his peers and family members. Another strategy the therapist gave Tony was a stress ball. She worked with him, practicing the motion of squeezing and releasing the ball. This simple strategy, along with blowing bubbles, helped Tony work through his anger and frustration.   

The therapist also helped Carole set behavioral expectations and implement consistent routines to help Tony. Carole began putting special emphasis on praising Tony instead of constantly yelling or disciplining him. Ignoring some of Tony’s negative behaviors and making a bigger deal out of his positive behaviors encouraged Tony to repeat positive behaviors.

Over the course of a year, Tony’s tantrums and outbursts declined significantly. His siblings began playing with him more, and Carole reported that there was a lot less yelling in their home. Tony successfully transitioned to a 5K program when he was discharged from ACH. He’s doing well, but ACH is always here to help if the family needs us again.

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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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