PrintPrintThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, which will be used for mental health services for children who experience sexual behavior problems, is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The center is the only grant recipient in South Carolina.
Staff Report
Published Oct. 28, 2009
The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center was recently awarded a $1.2 million grant to be used for mental health services for children who experience sexual behavior problems.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the center is the only grant recipient in South Carolina.
The center applied for the grant to be able to train local mental health providers after seeing a gap in this type of treatment, said Sydney Fowler, director of development and marketing for the center.
Through the grant, which will be spread over three years, local mental health professionals will receive training to be able to work with this population, who often have been victims of abuse, themselves.
The center will be working with the state Departments of Juvenile Justice, Mental Health and Social Services; the 9th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s and Public Defender’s offices and family court; and private clinicians.
The center is also partnering with the Oklahoma University Center on Child Abuse and Neglect to tap into its expertise for training opportunities. With the grant money, the center will be able to bring in experts to train local mental health providers in this evidence-based treatment.
“It’s incredibly exciting to work with a community of professionals who are committed to collaborating with each other in order to improve the services we provide to our abused children and their families,” center Executive Director Libby Ralston said.
Print