Fig Social Mission 2019: Children’s Place, Inc.

At Fig, we believe in the power of a community that works together to identify needs and find solutions—one that creates connections and is passionate about helping its neighbors. For our 2019 Social Mission Partner, we’ve chosen Children’s Place, Inc., an impactful non-profit whose good works contribute immensely to our thriving, local community.
 
Children’s Place, Inc., a United Way of Aiken County agency, is a Child and Family Development Center whose mission is to protect, heal and strengthen children and families from the impact of trauma through education, treatment and prevention services. For 50 years, Children’s Place has offered therapy-based pre-school, after-school programs, parent skills-building classes, and mental health counseling to children and families in our community. They are trauma-focused, recognizing the impact of early trauma on children and how it can affect long-term mental health if left unchecked.
 
Children’s Place strives to grow strong and resilient children and families to create safer and healthier communities through four distinct programs:
 
Therapeutic Childcare
 
Children’s Place has the only Therapeutic Childcare Program in the area; and one of only two of its kind in South Carolina. Serving ages 18 months to 5 years, this program focuses on enhancing social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development within an early childcare and educational setting. Support therapies are offered including speech, occupational, physical, and play therapy. Their therapeutic childcare is trauma-informed and rooted in attachment theory, aimed at promoting positive, healthy relationships between children and their caregivers.
 
Community-Based Prevention Services (CBPS)
 
Part of SAFY Empowering Families Statewide Network, this is a diversion program to work alongside struggling families in Aiken, Barnwell, Bamberg, Edgefield and McCormick Counties who have been referred by the Department of Social Services, helping them overcome challenges in their homes and local communities. CBPS is free and voluntary, designed to increase parental capacity and reduce risk of child abuse and neglect of children.
 
Strengthening Families Program (SFP)
 
SFP is a nationally and internationally recognized evidence-based program that works closely with families to teach effective parenting skills and reduce problem behaviors through positive discipline techniques. This 14-week program is free and offered in Aiken and Barnwell for families with children ages 6 to 11. SFP is funded by Children’s Trust Fund of  South Carolina.
 
Beds for Babies
 
Through a partnership with the Aiken County Safe Sleep Collaboration, they connect local families with safe sleep education for infants and provide safe cribs and bedding for families in need. Funded by the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Aiken County.
 
Even if your family never needs its services, Children’s Place is critical to our community. Children are our future —if early trauma is not addressed at a young age, the cycle of child abuse and neglect continues. Children’s Place gives children and families healing, hope, and a path toward a productive life. 
 
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. OR TO GET INVOLVED, visit childrensplaceinc.org or contact them at 803.641.4144.