The Life Skills Counseling for Recovery from Child Abuse Program https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/proposals-2013/the-life-skills-counseling-for-recovery-from-child-abuse-program https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/@@site-logo/sitelogo-75x75.png

The Life Skills Counseling for Recovery from Child Abuse Program

Additional Information
Used for	The Fentress County Children’s Center is respectfully requesting partial funding for our Life Skills for Recovery from Child Abuse Program which is an ongoing outpatient program that gives children the tools to continue recovery throughout their lives. The children, ages nine to eighteen, participate in the program three afternoons per week for six weeks. These services are provided to youth who have been involved in the Juvenile Court System, are at risk for delinquency, or are victims of child abuse.
Benefits	The Life Skills training will help children turn the anger resulting from abuse into a positive force to accomplish goals and assume control of their circumstances. The children will begin to feel safe and predictors of delinquency will be identified and reduced. Also, non-offending parents / guardians will participate in extensive training to increase their understanding of their child’s emotional state and support the child’s recovery.
Proposal Description	The Fentress County Children’s Center (FCCC) is a small child advocacy center which provides forensic interviews, mental health counseling, medical examinations, expert testimony, and prevention education. The mission of the Fentress County Children’s Center is to provide a place of comfort and safety for children who have been abused, to equip children and parents with the tools necessary to heal from devastating trauma, and to prevent child abuse in our community. Fentress County Children's Center was initiated in 2004 as a satellite of Children's Center of the Cumberlands to provide services for child abuse victims in Fentress County. In December, 2005, the Children's Center was incorporated as a separate entity and in February, 2006, we obtained 501(c)(3) status. The FCCC is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities as a Mental Health Out-Patient Facility, and is an associate member of the National Children's Alliance. The Fentress County Children’s Center is the only licensed mental health counseling service in Fentress County that specializes in services for children. Fentress County is located on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau which is one of the most remote areas in the Appalachian Mountains. Residents previously relied on coal mining for employment and since that industry closed, they are dependent on small manufacturing facilities, small businesses, or county or city government for jobs. The county’s children and families live in isolation and poverty and, because resources for employment and mental health care are not readily available, parents frequently feel hopeless and angry and these emotions increase the likelihood of child abuse. Early and long-term abuse increases children’s vulnerability to re-victimization, prostitution, delinquency, suicide, and depression. Abused children are also likely to become school drop-outs. The majority of the youth in our Life Skills Program are not currently judged delinquent and are not involved with illegal drugs or gangs. However, their situation makes them high risk for future delinquent behavior and, for dropping out of school. This program helps these youth deal with their physical and mental stress and abuse and with the resulting behavioral and emotional problems. As a result, youth have a better understanding of abuse, why it happens and the risks and dangers inherent in delinquent behavior. The youth also learn to deal with their frustration and anger, cope with their situations and seek help, when needed. An intake meeting is scheduled for each child enrolled in the program. At this meeting, the Life Skills Group Facilitator obtains information that reflects the child's background, ethnicity, and culture. Following this, a PLAN is developed for the child and forensic interviews are conducted. Life Skills Groups are scheduled and are conducted in a neutral environment so that each child's background is respected. Children in the program are encouraged to acquire independence, responsibility, self control, positive decision making capabilities and respect for self and others. Four steps are involved in the treatment process: evaluation, development of an individual plan, skill acquisition, and graduation. Components of the program include: educating at risk children through Life Skills Training, screening to determine drug or alcohol treatment needs, and providing educational information to children and their non-offending parents. Non-offending parents are involved in all aspects of the program. Group sessions of the Life Skills Counseling for Recovery from Child Abuse include training in nutrition, fitness, wellness, hygiene, personal safety, conflict resolution, and social skills. The children learn to deal with drugs, sexual harassment, and bullying. Small group sessions deal with anger, behavior and stress management. Recreational activities offer an opportunity to practice social skills and conflict resolution. Sessions are provided in a safe, child-friendly location to ensure children feel secure and are comfortable. The program will be evaluated through pre- and post-tests administered to each child, a client satisfaction survey administered to each child and family at four week intervals during their involvement in the program, a children's self report administered at intake and at four week intervals and a parent's self report administered at intake and at four week intervals. Goals for the program are that children who are at risk for delinquency and dropping out of school will cope with trauma, learn to overcome it, and not become delinquent or school dropouts. The program will also reduce the number of youth held in detention and help in maintaining a safe community.