28 Sep KidsTLC Receives $11,150 Grant from the Johnson County Young Matrons Foundation

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $11,150 from the Johnson County Young Matrons Foundation to support its Therapeutic Recreation and Development program which serves children in the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and Sanctuary programs.

KidsTLC’s PRTF program’s primary purpose is to treat the effects of complex trauma in children and youth ages 6-18.  Children served in this program are victims of intense traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and/or family disruption and are diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses.  It has become a model for successful treatment state-wide to address the rising number of children struggling with mental health issues.  In addition to the PRTF program, in mid-2015 KidsTLC opened a new residential unit called the Phoenix Sanctuary to provide a more short-term residential option for children.  The program is a 15-bed unit providing short-term, residential crisis stabilization and respite for children and adolescents ages 6–17 who are in crisis. These children are experiencing moderate social, emotional, family, or placement problems.  The services within the Sanctuary are aimed at preventing youth from entering state custody and higher levels of mental health care.  The Phoenix Sanctuary has 24-hour client care, intake support, and psychiatric consultation as needed. The program utilizes the same philosophy of care as for children in long-term care in the PRTF.

Many of the children served by our programs have difficulty attaching with their parents or caregivers. Therefore, KidsTLC aims to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can heal. Many cope with their trauma in ways that might appear to be defiant, dangerous, and self-destructive. KidsTLC’s trauma-focused experts can recognize these behaviors as trauma reactions. Children may have witnessed a family member being arrested or a domestic violence incident; experienced the death of a primary caregiver; or been the victim of rape, assault, or prostitution. They may be enduring child abuse or living in the shadow of a family member’s problem with substance abuse or mental illness. Whatever the case may be, these children have lost the ability to trust and attach to caretakers. KidsTLC addresses treatment from a family perspective to ensure results are lasting and can be transferred to the home.

KidsTLC provides children with a continuum of care through innovative and successful psychiatric treatment, community outreach, outpatient behavioral health, autism and wellness programs. Services are focused on evidence-based therapies and trauma-informed care, with a strong emphasis on family wellness and preserving the family unit.  KidsTLC continues to respond to the growing needs of children in the Kansas City Metro area by adding critically needed services that fill community gaps and alleviate wait times for families to receive care. Programs help children heal on all levels through innovative therapeutic treatment philosophies; expressive therapies such as art, play and music therapy; and through a wealth of opportunities to improve the physical health of clients including the movement towards integrating our mental health services with local health clinics that provide physical health services, increased nutrition/wellness education, and opportunities for physical exercise.