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Childcare Resources of Indian River, Inc. Psychological Services Children's Services Advisory Committee B. PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one age) 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need? c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference source, that corroborates that this is an area of need. a. A percentage of all families face problems and stresses and need professional psychological intervention. Recent research indicates that more children three and under suffer from emotional stress, like adults, "but they lack the coping mechanisms years of living bring" (Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, 2003). Childcare Resources' targeted population is more economically needy, and these families historically face life challenges to a greater degree than the general population. Consequently, they exhibit a greater need for psychological support. Indian River County lacks sufficient psychological services to serve low-income families with mental health needs . In addition, there are challenges in identifying families with such needs and encouraging them to take advantage of available. resources. Childcare Resources centers lack clinical staff and the financial resources to independently contract with mental health professionals. Problems in the classroom that cannot be handled within the capabilities of the staff often result in the expulsion of the child in crisis . Teacher requests for therapeutic intervention center on the number of children (total class, not just Childcare Resources) exhibiting inappropriate anger towards both fellow students and teachers. b. The targeted population is Childcare Resources families who demonstrate a need for psychological services in one or more of the following areas : 1) Children who exhibit behavioral, developmental, and/or emotional difficulties that seriously impact their chances for school and life success. 2) Parents who deal with issues like : abuse, divorce, depression, anxiety, custody, substance abuse or significant health problems. 3) Parents with "special needs" children in the family who need support. 4) Childcare Resources centers need the opportunity to receive on-site professional psychological/behavioral support. c. Those in need appear to be spread evenly throughout Indian River County. d. The National Mental Health Association tells us that although one in five children has a diagnosable mental health problem, nearly two-thirds of them get little or no help. Untreated mental health problems can disrupt children' s functioning at home, school and in the community. Without treatment, children with mental health issues are at increased risk of school failure, contact with the criminal justice system, dependence on social services, and even suicide. Professional services are only recommended after efforts by the Childcare Resources staff and center staff have been exhausted. 2. a) Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted population; b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted population of your program. a. Childcare Resources is the only program in the County that ties psychological services, including direct intervention to the funding of childcare. In previous years the Early Learning Coalition had a small amount of funding for a large population of children but even that is no longer available . Application for 2006-2007 service period 5