YFS to open youth trauma center - KOTA Territory News

YFS to open youth trauma center

A traumatic event, like the death of a loved one, an illness, deployment of a parent or abuse, can leave permanent scars that cause problems later in life. Now kids who experience difficult situations will have a new place to turn. The Youth and Family Services Counseling Center is opening a youth trauma center. A $1.6 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will enable the five counselors at the center to get specific training on the subject. Lead Counselor Maureen Murray says the center will be a huge asset to western South Dakota. "Studies will show that some of these severe health and mental health issues that adults have are a result of untreated trauma as children," Murray said.

The counselors at the center hope to assess 425 children for traumatic stress. Murray says they'll also be able to hire another part-time therapist and community coordinator.