Since beginning trauma-informed outpatient clinical services on April 1, 2019, All Star has treated 96 children and their families with trauma-informed, innovative therapies. The organization has also adapted quickly to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
(SARASOTA, FL) Since beginning trauma-informed outpatient clinical services on April 1, 2019, All Star Children’s Foundation has treated more than 96 at-risk children and their families. Partnering with leaders across the child welfare system, All Star taps best-in-class partners to assist in its mission, including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. All Star’s clinical team implements an unprecedented, trauma-informed program that delivers the latest evidence-based protocols and treatments for foster children and their biological families. In November 2019, All Star shifted these services to its state-of-the-art All Star Children’s Center located on its “Campus of Hope & Healing” in Sarasota. All Star continues to treat children and families throughout the area with no interruption in services, despite COVID-19 restrictions.
“As each of us navigates these uncertain times, we have prioritized supporting our community’s most vulnerable children and their families,” says Graci McGillicuddy, All Star Children’s Foundation’s co-founder and board chair.
Kimberly Treharne, All Star’s clinical director, explains that the organization has adapted quickly to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
“We’ve had to restructure how we continue offering these vital services. This population is extremely susceptible to the stressors this pandemic brings. It’s All Star’s goal to continuously work on family engagement to support the growth these families have realized even while temporary circumstances are working against them,” says Treharne. She adds that All Star clinicians are reaching out to children and their caregivers utilizing HIPAA-compliant videoconference and phone. “In this way, our clinicians remain a vital figure in the lives of the children we treat, creating a psychologically safe place for the child and family. By continuing to provide trauma-informed guidance, caregivers can continue to offer supportive care and work towards Care Plan goals,” she says.
To keep up with the growing need, All Star recently welcomed three new specialists with expertise in childhood trauma to its clinical team. Lisa Anaya, LMHC, has joined as the organization’s fourth full-time clinician. Child welfare and behavioral health manager Jolee Grobleski has joined to serve as clinical support coordinator and develop the targeted case management program. In addition, All Star has partnered with Dr. Sean Paul, an area-based psychiatrist whose expertise is in working with at-risk, vulnerable populations. All Star clinicians are trained in several evidenced-based treatment protocols, including PCIT, CPP, TF-CBT and ARC.
All Star achieved two other milestones this month. The clinical team has completed all staff training on the ARC trauma-informed model of care. The ARC model, Attachment, Self Regulation and Competency is a flexible, components-based intervention developed for children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma. All Star was also recently approved to initiate CARE training (Child Adult Relationship Enhancement), which uses principles and skills from evidence-based, positive parenting programs designed to equip adults with skills needed to build healthy relationships with children and reduce children’s mild-to-moderate behavioral challenges. With strong trauma-informed underpinnings, CARE focuses on building resilience among children ages 0-18.
What’s next?
According to McGillicuddy, work on All Star’s new “Campus of Hope and Healing” is nearly complete. “After years of preparing, I am overjoyed to be able to soon welcome children into a nurturing, healing environment,” says McGillicuddy. “Each child will be welcomed to our campus with love and support and will have the best opportunities to thrive through our clinical programs, supportive community of care, and through the enrichment programs that will be available to them.”
McGillicuddy adds that she is grateful to the individuals, businesses and organizations that have supported All Star along the way. “The Sarasota-Manatee community has been so immensely supportive of our journey to heal the lives of children who have experienced trauma and to transform the foster care system through innovation, science and compassion. We could not have accomplished what we have so far without the embrace of the community.”
For more information about All Star Children’s Foundation, visit www.allstarchildren.org. The campus is located at 3300 17th St, Sarasota.