The Coalition receives a grant from The Endowment For Health to address the needs of children exposed to battering
CONCORD, NH- The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is pleased to announce it has been awarded a two-year grant for $70,110 from the Endowment for Health. This grant will be used for the Coalition’s Mental Health Needs of Children Planning Project. The funds will allow the Coalition to assess resources and develop a plan to better meet the mental health needs of children and families who seek services through our member programs.
The grant is part of the Endowment for Health’s new theme which focuses on improving the mental health of New Hampshire’s children and their families. Numerous national studies have shown that exposure to violence in the home, as well as direct abuse of a child, has a detrimental effect on children, with a wide range of responses, including long term effects on mental health.
In 2006, the member programs of the NHCADSV provided assistance to 413 children exposed to battering, 132 child abuse victims, and 505 child sexual abuse victims. The Coalition and its 14 member programs have long recognized the need to respond to the mental health needs of abused children and children exposed to battering. Victims of domestic violence have repeatedly stated they wished there were more support for their children.
To address this need the Coalition plans to develop capacity across the state through a two year plan. Our work will begin by assessing the capacity of mental health providers statewide to address the needs of abused children and children exposed to battering, and their non-offending parent. Upon completion of our first goal we will then develop a plan for enhancing the Coalition’s 14 member programs’ ability to address the needs of children, either through direct services or collaborative community partnerships.
“This funding allows us a great opportunity to have a positive effect on the mental health of children and their non-offending parents who access services through our member programs across the state,” said Grace Mattern, Executive Director of the Coalition.
This project is designed to develop regional and local strategies to improve the mental health outcomes for children and their families who experience domestic and sexual violence in their homes; it also seeks to identify ways to strengthen the systems of care for these children and their families.
For more information on this project contact Grace Mattern at 603-224-8893.
About the Endowment for Health
The Endowment for Health was established in 1999 and is the state’s largest health foundation. Since 2001, the Endowment has awarded 498 grants to 192 organizations, totaling more than $22 million to support a wide range of health-related programs and projects in New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.endowmentforhealth.org.
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