Fall 2013
New Programs Address Needs in Trauma Care Written by Juliana Harper
D
uring the past two decades there has been growing evidence concerning the prevalence and impact of trauma in the lives of people, especially children. Increasing awareness of the pervasiveness and damaging impact of trauma has led behavioral healthcare providers to the unavoidable conclusion that if they are to be as effective as possible, their services must address the area of trauma recovery. Traumatic experiences could include physical, mental or sexual abuse. It could also be witnessing a violent act or even being placed in foster care. Whatever that experience may include, trauma in childhood changes a child’s neurological pathways in the brain. These changes impact development, emotions and behavior which may cause the child to react differently to stress and frustration than other children.
Easter Seals Michigan has introduced the innovative service of combining Senior Vice President of neuro-developmental assessments with Programs and Business targeted intervention recommendations Development that addresses the needs of children experiencing behavioral health issues as the result of traumatic events in their lives. Offered at our Waterford location, services are provided to the ssresidents of Oakland and the surrounding counties of Southeastern Michigan. Juliana Harper,
To help launch this program Easter Seals Michigan has worked closely with the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC) at Western Michigan University. For the past 10 years CTAC has been providing trauma assessments to a growing need. CTAC has been instrumental in aiding Easter Seals Michigan in kicking off this new program. In addition, support from community partners such as the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA), the Oakland Department of Public Health, and the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court – Family Division, to name just a few, have been a catalyst in presenting this new service to the community. Moving forward, Easter Seals Michigan will continue to build a community coalition so we may all collaborate our care for children who have experienced a traumatic event.
All of this would not have been possible if it wasn’t for a $150,000 grant from the Ethel & James Flinn Foundation. This grant allowed Easter Seals Michigan to achieve the goal of establishing a trauma assessment and treatment center to serve children and their families in Southeastern Michigan. The addition of a trauma assessment and treatment center to the Easter Seals Michigan myriad of programs is a natural progression of the mission to serve and support people with disabilities or special needs and their families so they can successfully, live, learn, work and play in their communities.
Batter Up! Easter Seals Michigan welcomed a new program to our roster of services that are offered to those with disabilities and special needs. The Miracle League of Michigan was the state’s first baseball field for individuals with disabilities. The field has been adapted to make it possible for people with mobility aides or impairments to join in the game without fear of slipping and falling. The Miracle League of Michigan is currently in its 10th season of play, its first with Easter Seals Michigan. With both competitive and non-competitive leagues available, the Miracle League of Michigan offers something for the entire family. With over 400 participants and 800 volunteers each year, it has already proven itself to be quite popular and those numbers are growing fast. The program has already caught the attention of the media and many of the Detroit Tigers are frequent guests and supporters. To learn more about this program, go to www.MichiganMiracle.org.