DePelchin Children’s Center has received a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative to help the Houston area meet the special needs of children at risk or suffering from traumatic stress.

DePelchin will receive $400,000 per year for four years as a member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network comprised of 70 centers to provide expanded services to children and families at greatest risk of suffering from the devastating effects of sustained trauma. These include children and families affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike as well as military families dealing with the loss or prolonged absence of a loved one.

“DePelchin has been a member of NCTSN since 2003 and served as a training source and consultant to many professionals in dealing with childhood traumatic stress. This funding comes at a time when we will again apply our experience in dealing with Katrina and Rita to children who witnessed the devastation of Ike,” says Robert Hartman, DePelchin executive vice president and chief operating officer.  “We will provide assessments and treatment services to children and their families who have experienced traumatic events, and we will offer training and consultation to organizations throughout greater Houston.”

The NCTSN is coordinated by the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, based at the University of California at Los Angeles and Duke University.

"Children can be remarkably resilient if their mental health problems are identified early and treated comprehensively," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. "The community treatment and service centers involved in this grant program will be able to enhance specialized services for helping children and their families recover from traumatic experiences."

Community surveys reveal that more than 25 percent of American youth experience a serious traumatic event by their 16th birthday, and many children suffer multiple and repeated trauma.  Common sources of trauma include: being victims of abuse and neglect; experiencing serious accidental injury; surviving disasters and terrorism; experiencing or witnessing violence in neighborhoods, schools and homes; and receiving treatment for life-threatening illness.

Traumatic stress can interfere with children’s ability to concentrate and learn, and seriously delay development of their brains and bodies.  It can lead to depression, substance abuse and other mental health problems, educational impairment and other difficulties.  Treatment from a mental health professional who has training and experience working with traumatized children can reduce child traumatic stress and minimize physical, emotional and social problems.

Media Contact:
Jerry Heinold
Manager, Marketing & Communications
DePelchin Children's Center
713-802-7651