HISTORY OF CHILDREN'S CRISIS TREATMENT CENTER

In 1971, psychologist Louise Sandler, Ph.D. outlined an innovative plan to deliver mental health services to preschool aged children with emotional and behavioral health difficulties. Federally funded by a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Education and one of the first of its kind, this program solely focused on addressing the mental health needs of young children who had experienced trauma. Under the auspices of the Franklin Institute, this therapeutic program for young children would eventually become known as the Children's Crisis Treatment Center (CcTC).

In 1978, CcTC moved out of the shadows of the Franklin Institute and into its current location, just beyond the border of Philadelphia's Art Museum area. It was here that CcTC established itself as a non-profit organization and expanded its original preschool project to fill the needs of children who required assistance from the mental health system, including children in kindergarten and first grade. Supported by City Council members and contributions from concerned groups and individuals, CcTC developed into a multifaceted service provider with an interdisciplinary staff from psychology, psychiatry, social work, and early childhood education. The original CcTC program, the Therapeutic Nursery (TN), remains open today.

Throughout the 1980's and 90's, CcTC slowly began to mark its distinction among mental health providers for children by opening the first children's outpatient Trauma Treatment Program in Philadelphia. Additionally, CcTC ensured that children received the services they needed by establishing community programs to reach families in their own neighborhoods.

In the late 90's when the combination of a new management team and an expansion in fundraising and volunteer involvement ushered in a new era and the agency's unprecedented growth. During this time, CcTC diversified its models of service, increased the number of families served and heightened the response to community needs. As former "giants" in Philadelphia's mental health arena for children began to dissolve, CcTC emerged to solidify its place as a leader in the field by meeting the increasing demands for highly regarded programs and services. With a stronger community presence throughout the city, CcTC began to broaden its reach and provide services to those who formerly lived in isolation. These services which reach children in the natural settings of their home, school, and community included trauma treatment services, outpatient services, caregiver programs, home-based treatment and school-based services.

Now in its fourth decade, CcTC's vision of comprehensive care still drives a dynamic organization that adapts and refocuses to meet the challenges of serving Philadelphia's most at-risk young citizens and their families. Today, CcTC remains a cutting edge organization that provides care where the needs are greatest-in the home, in the community, and in our school thus realizing the agency's vision of aiding children and families wherever they need a helping hand.