Grant will fund new therapist at child abuse center

GREENVILLE, N.C.  —   East Carolina University has received $26,000 from the N.C. Children’s Trust Fund to hire an additional therapist at the TEDI BEAR Children’s Advocacy Center.

The new therapist will allow the center to expand the clinical services available for abused and neglected children in 29 counties, according to the trust fund. The center will now have two therapists.

The State Board of Education approved the grants from the trust fund last week. The TEDI BEAR Center was one of 14 grant recipients for the July 2007-June 2008 grant cycle. The trust fund received 37 grant applications.

At the center, abused and neglected children and their non-offending family members receive specialized mental health services to prevent further maltreatment and help children and families overcome trauma associated with abuse.

The TEDI BEAR Center opened in 1992 with leadership from the Brody School of Medicine and is supported by PCMH, other state and local agencies, and with contributions from groups and individuals. It is one of only two such centers in eastern North Carolina. More than 5,000 children have been seen since it began.

TEDI BEAR stands for Tender Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention for a Better Abuse Response. More information about the center is at www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pediatrics/TEDIBEAR.cfm.

The Childrens Trust Fund was established in 1983 by the North Carolina General Assembly to provide funds for programs and services to prevent child abuse and neglect. The funds are distributed through grants to public or private non-profit organizations, agencies, schools and interagency efforts with broad community involvement. Approaches emphasize education and broad family support services that positively impact family relationships.