Organization Helping Abused Children Receives $100,000 Grant

Children’s Fund recently received a $100,000 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) to help the San Bernardino County Children’s Assessment Center provide quality medical services to the County’s children who have been physically or sexually abused or severely neglected. The Children’s Assessment Center treats children up to the age of 18, as well as developmentally-delayed young adults, from every area of San Bernardino County who are suspected victims of abuse. Last year, 45% of the children seen at the Assessment Center were under the age of five. Last year, the Center treated over 1,600 children from throughout the communities of Colton, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Redlands, San Bernardino, and other neighboring cities. “Children’s Fund is grateful that the SMBMI has helped improve health outcomes, especially for our region’s vulnerable abused and neglected children,” shares Erin Phillips, President and CEO of Children’s Fund. “The SMBMI's grant at this critical time, when the need is so great, will help provide life-saving services.” This investment by the SMBMI, in partnership with Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and the County of San Bernardino, will support the medical services performed at the Children’s Assessment Center. These exams assess injuries and capture evidence that help in the evaluation of the child abuse allegation. Additional partners include Children & Family Services, Sheriff’s Department & Police Association, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, Department of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Health, Children’s Network and Family Law Court Services. This investment, along with the support of all of these agencies working together, will enable the Center to further serve the community.