The Children's Center Detroit COVID-19 Response

by The Children's Center

Project Report | Feb 2, 2021
You changed the lives of Detroit children in 2020 - but there is more help needed!

By Tammy L. Zonker | Chief Philanthropy Officer

Because of you nearly 4,000 Detroit children and families received the mental and behavioral health treatment necessary for them to heal, grow and thrive - even during a pandemic. But our work isn't yet done.

That's why I'm writing to you. We are only able to serve around 70% of the children previously in treatment before the pandemic. Lack of technology or discomfort using tablets and smartphones is a barrier for many families living in poverty. It keeps them from accessing life-changing treatment via telemedicine.

You can help. We've equipped and empowered many families through the purchase and distribution of tablets. These tablets not only enable children to receive treatment. They also enable children to participate in pre-k, elementary, middle and high school.

Your generous contributions will help meet the greatest need of Greater Detroit children and families. Please give now. Not only to help children access education, but also much needed social engagement.

If you've read this far, you really care about children and youth. You've probably heard, suicide attempts are skyrocketing. Children and youth need hope now. You can give them help, hope and a glimpse of brighter days ahead.

Please give.

Links:

Attachments:

One page 2020 impact report (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Aug 7, 2020
Batman wears a mask too! #HealingFromTrauma #COVID-19Relief

By Tammy Zonker | Chief Philanthropy Officer

You are amazing! Your partnership during these unprecedented times of COVID-19 has truly made a difference in the lives of children and families who face unimaginable challenges. Your gifts have allowed The Children’s Center to provide uninterrupted services and treatments to vulnerable Detroit children as we all transition and adapt through the coronavirus pandemic. For your continued support, we are deeply grateful.

A short, sweet story: Six-year-old Devon was traumatized last December from a carjacking by men in masks, that resulted in a gunshot wound to his mother. He would wake up with night terrors, dreaming about masked men hurting him and his family. He has been receiving trauma treatment since them. Imagine now, during COVID-19 when everywhere Devon goes, he sees people in masks. Thanks to your support we've continued to provide trauma-informed care to Devon via telehealth. He's beginning to understand that masks can protect us, and not always mean danger. Like he told us recently, "Batman wears a mask too!"

The Children’s Center began the transition to telehealth services on March 17, 2020. Initially, technology barriers coupled with COVID-19 related issues of adults being laid off from work and children being in the home for schooling, parents and guardians had to choose to meet more pressing needs than their children’s mental health appointments. But despite the difficulties faced by families and even some staff, The Children’s Center ultimately saw a 16% increase in kept appointments since telehealth services began.

Because of you, 93% of our active client population has been provided with continual essential mental health services. This includes intake, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluations, individual and family therapy, psychiatric medication management, Supports Coordination, Parent Support, Youth Peer Support, and Applied Behavior Analysis sessions.

The Children’s Center plans to continue telehealth services as long as it remains an acceptable method of service as deemed by health and government authorities. Utilizing telehealth services has significantly reduced the common barrier of transportation faced by many of our children and families and has provided them with greater access to necessary services. Moving beyond the pandemic, we will incorporate telehealth as part of the full array of clinical services offered.

As we continue to transition through the COVID-19 pandemic and work to resume in-person services for families lacking the technology for telehealth, we are adopting preventative hygiene measures all across The Children’s Center campus to protect our children, families, staff, and volunteers. The intention is to enact protocols for social distancing, best practices for health and hygiene, and support and monitor the health of clients and staff to mitigate risks.

COVID-19 has truly compelled us to discover new ways to meet the needs of the nearly 7,500 Detroit-area children served by The Children’s Center. Apart from telehealth, we have transitioned many of our enrichment activities into virtual experiences. This includes art classes; private tutoring; book clubs for children, teens, and adults; and family game nights. These virtual enrichment sessions are hosted securely through Zoom and have allowed us to safely reengage some of our most dedicated volunteers.

While our families and staff at The Children’s Center did an outstanding job of adapting to the fast-paced changes of the pandemic, we will keep adjusting our work and services as new rules and regulations are implemented. There is still so much to be done in helping children and families shape their own futures, but your partnership keeps us on track to help children heal, grow, and dream again. Our children and families are truly grateful for you, and we are too.

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