PNC Bank Foundation grant supports foster, adopted children in facing emotional challenges
York, Pa. (Wednesday July 6, 2016)
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Children and youths in the foster care and adoption system will receive special support to help them address traumatic events in their lives, thanks to a $5,000 grant Diakon Adoption & Foster Care has received from the PNC Bank Foundation.
The year-long grant will support the creation of children’s therapeutic support groups at Diakon’s York and Mechanicsburg foster care and adoption offices from now through June 2017. The monthly group will operate concurrently with support groups for foster and adoptive parents.
“Children in the foster care system have all experienced some type of traumatic event,” says Denise Roe, director of permanency services for the two Diakon offices. “Some of the trauma may be more severe than what others have faced, but all foster and adopted children can benefit from what is called trauma-focused therapy.”
Diakon addresses the challenges foster and adoptive parents can face as they seek to bring permanence to the lives of children and youths though the monthly support groups held at both the York and Mechanicsburg offices, Roe adds.
“These groups provide opportunities for adoptive and foster parents to learn from permanency staff members—and one another—about the traumatic experiences of their children and how to address them,” she says. “But, through the new group, we can also help children and youths to understand and, as needed, face experiences and be better prepared to succeed in school and in life.” Three case managers with extensive experience will lead the children in therapeutic activities to process complex emotions and learn healthy coping skills.
The PNC Bank Foundation is supporting the project because it aligns with the foundation’s priority to partner with community-based non-profit organizations that provide innovative educational initiatives that serve low- and moderate-income children in the region.
For further information, please contact:
William Swanger, M.A., APR
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
(717) 795-0308
E-mail: swangerb@diakon.org
