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As a child, the young woman had experienced terrible trauma. Treated years ago at Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, today she’s in graduate school to become a child therapist. CEO Antonio Valdes knows that’s “an awesome story” that reflects the agency’s success. “But there are simple moments that tell the story just as forcefully.” He relates an anecdote about a young boy in a CCTC partner school who was on the verge of being suspended after being wildly disruptive all morning. Then, someone in the disciplinarian’s office asked him the key question: What happened?

Four years ago, on a train from Philadelphia to Washington, Sandra Bloom told me about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. I hadn’t heard of it, and was astounded to learn about strong connections it found between exposure to trauma and toxic stress in childhood, and experiencing behavioral, social, emotional, and health problems as an adult.

Antonio Valdés runs the CCTC , which addresses the challenges of the city’s most at-risk young citizens and their families, providing care in the home, in the community, and in the schools.

The Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s West African Refugee Assistance Program, or Tamaa, held its sixth annual community cleanup Wednesday in Southwest Philadelphia. Participants divvied up duties and shared meals, but organizers hope they exchanged much more.

Counselors at one Philadelphia summer camp bring an extra dose of patience to work. The city-funded camp serves more than 70 kids who have serious behavioral issues and offers therapy along with traditional camp activities. One of the main goals is to teach kids how to manage strong emotions.

Main Line Today covers CCTC’s 40th Anniversary Gala. Photos by Paul Loftland.

Many Main Liners helped Children’s Crisis Treatment Center celebrate its 40th anniversary during a glittering masquerade gala on June 7th.  The event grossed over $235,000 in support of CCTC’s continuing work helping children and families manage the impact of trauma.  Photos: Paul Loftland

The Children’s Crisis Treatment Center hosted the 12th annual “Cruise for the Kids” event. Friends gathered at Water Works Restaurant to raise approximately $50,000 for Philadelphia’s Children and family behavioral health services. Amongst the 300 person guest list were co chairs Sarah Walmsley and Michelle Zou, as well as CBS 3’s Stephanie Stahl. 

Children’s Crisis Treatment Center has signed a long-term lease on 43,673 square feet of space at the Waterview Corporate Center along Delaware Avenue in Philadelphia. The organization will consolidate three other Philadelphia locations into the new site at 1080 N. Delaware Ave.

During Tony Valdés’ 13 years at the helm of the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia, the nonprofit behavioral health services provider has experienced dramatic growth on several fronts. Its staff has grown to 350 employees from 45. Its annual budget has surged to $15 million from $1.8 million. Its number of service programs has more than tripled to 14.