Mar 25, 2008
KIDS IN CRISIS:
New program offers a 'safe place'
|
Kids in Crisis, the state’s only free, emergency crisis counseling center and emergency shelter for babies, children and teens, has begun the national Safe Place program in Fairfield County. It has designated more than three dozen locations in towns, including Ridgefield, as “safe havens for children who need immediate help in a crisis.”
Project Safe Place is a national program, first established in 1973 in Louisville, Ky., which reaches out to youth who find themselves in crises — everything from family problems to abuse — that require immediate help.
Once a child goes into a Safe Place location, staff on-site makes sure he or she is safe and comfortable and immediately calls Kids in Crisis, the area’s leading free crisis outreach center and emergency shelter. Trained professionals then assess the situation, providing counseling and, if necessary, coordination with outside agencies and organizations that can provide additional help.
Since 1983, Safe Place locations have helped more than 104,000 children nationwide. Today, there are 16,787 Safe Place sites in 40 states throughout the U.S.
Ridgefield children who need a place to turn for help or care need only look for a Safe Place sign in an organization, business or office window. When they enter the location, staff will quickly assess the situation, and then reach out to the round-the-clock-trained professionals at Kids in Crisis. This team of counselors will assess the situation and provide immediate support and guidance.
Among the inaugural locations designated as Safe Place locations are the two Ridgefield firehouses, the high school, and the Boys and Girls Club.
“Teens and youth in dangerous situations often feel there is no where to turn,” said Shari Shapiro, executive director of Kids in Crisis. “With Safe Place, there is always an accessible, easy place to get help. Implementing the Safe Place program throughout our area is a natural extension of the outstanding crisis care Kids in Crisis has provided for the past 30 years.”
For kids, she said, “Safe Place provides piece of mind, knowing they have someone to turn to for help.”
The Safe Place program encourages public and private partnerships to provide youth outreach, helping kids solve problems effectively, while focusing on preventing more serious problems.
Kids in Crisis expects to expand the Safe Place program even further throughout Fairfield County in 2008, with the goal of identifying 75 additional Safe Place partner sites, including area businesses, municipal facilities and community centers.
Kids in Crisis (kidsincrisis.org) is Connecticut’s only free, round-the-clock agency providing emergency shelter, crisis counseling and community educational programs for children of all ages and families dealing with a wide range of crises-domestic violence, mental health and family problems, substance abuse, economic difficulties and more.
Since its founding in 1978, Kids in Crisis has helped more than 80,000 Connecticut children and families; last year, more than 8,100 children and families received assistance from the organization.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
|
