Children’s Cove’s Expanded Services: An update from our team
February 28, 2024
Over the last few years, Children’s Cove has experienced an increase in need for all aspects of services and support to the community. To meet the need from increased referrals from partner agencies, our team hired our current Child Exploitation Program Coordinator, Alex Foley, and Clinical Program Manager Kathy Fayerberg in 2021. In 2022, we welcomed our Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Lauren Ackles. With these incredible additions to our team, we then focused on additional ways to expand our programs and services. As we announced in Fall of 2022 at our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we knew there were two other primary needs we had to address. One need is the ongoing demand for more education, outreach, and training across the Cape & Islands in child abuse awareness and prevention. Another, more availability and access to behavioral health providers to support child-victims through trauma-informed clinical care.
To meet this rising demand and fulfill part of the strategic plan, the organization has expanded staffing through the hiring of Anna Colby as our new Community Engagement Specialist in October, and Deena Anderson as our new Mental Health Clinician in January
Anna Colby, Community Engagement Specialist
With the increased demand for outreach and education in our community, we have found ourselves in need of additional staffing for community engagement and education for some time. Thanks to grant funding through the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, we were able to create this much needed position to increase our reach in the community.
Anna Colby joins Children’s Cove as the Community Engagement Specialist after working in education for several years. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts from Bridgewater State University and will support the mission of Children’s Cove by engaging with the community to build positive working relationships and raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Anna will participate in informational and outreach events, develop and coordinate volunteers, and support child abuse prevention initiatives.
Anna joining our team represents the first addition to our education and training program in more than 10 years. This is a great step to increase prevention and early intervention for victims of abuse.
Deena Anderson, Mental Health Clinician
As a part of our mission and services following the investigative elements of our work, team members make coordinated referrals for support services in the community. However, the need for specialized clinical services has outpaced the behavioral health service available in our region.
We are seeing more cases with complex clinical needs, and, more than that, an immediate need for services. Children and families are often on waiting lists for months (or longer) to get the clinical services they need following trauma. We have an obligation to create an opportunity for children to be supported sooner.
Deena Anderson joins Children’s Cove as its first in-house Mental Health Clinician in almost 10 years. As children with specialized clinical needs, or a more immediate need for clinical services, access Children’s Cove services, Deena will provide trauma-informed clinical services to support the child and family. Deena received her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Central Florida and has worked in various mental health and therapeutic roles across Cape Cod. Deena has specialized in individual and family therapy utilizing a person-centered and strength-based approach. Deena utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities in her personal practice including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Deena previously provided individual and family therapy at Child & Family Services and with Gosnold Behavioral Health as a Substance Use Counselor and School-Based Clinician. A significant focus in her work has been anxiety management and helping her clients live more fulfilling lives with less stress and worry by helping them develop healthy coping strategies.
As the needs for our community continue to rise, we are proud to be able to rise to meet the demand. Deena is a wonderful addition to our team, and we know she will make a positive impact in the hope and healing of children who have come to the Cove.
As we look to the future, plan with key multidisciplinary and community partners, and expand our services we strive to not only increase our response to children and families in the most challenge of circumstances but continue to create a community where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives.
