Children Should be Seen, Heard and Believed

Courage…to change, Strength…to move on, Hope…for better things

Courage…to change, Strength…to move on, Hope…for better things

Children’s Charter is an outpatient mental health clinic specializing in trauma. “The Children’s Charter” was the name given to the first English child abuse laws, passed by Parliament at the end of the 19th century. In 1985, Dr. Paula Stahl created an outpatient mental health clinic with that name, to provide highly specialized treatment for low-income children and families coping with the trauma of sexual abuse. Mindful of the stresses on clinicians working intensively with such cases, Dr. Stahl also created a supportive professional environment that featured working in teams and advanced training.

In 2000 Children’s Charter merged with the Key Program — a larger charity providing residential treatment for traumatized adolescents. From three clinicians in 1985, Children’s Charter has grown to four full-time and 40 part-time professional staff from various disciplines, serving 450 clients weekly. Children’s Charter is one of the state’s largest provider of outpatient trauma-focused services for children. Its focus has broadened to include women and children survivors of domestic violence, victims of physical abuse and neglect, survivors of rape, assault and other violent crimes, foster family issues, and families coping with chronic illness and loss. Private philanthropy is needed; please consider helping.