"We are part of the village; that's why I've stayed so long," says Leslie Moreland, clinic director for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) in Hyannis, referring to the proverb, 'It takes a village to raise a child.' "We're an advocacy agency trying to promote change for a better community."
Moreland, who has been with MSPCC for over a dozen years, says that the agency's mission includes providing mental health services to families and working with the community to strengthen family stability and well-being. "Our special niche is helping with parent support," she says.
MSPCC specializes in treating children and families with trauma, such as sexual abuse, witnessing a shooting or being in a car accident. Clinicians usually work with families in the home, but also see them at the MSPCC office, in homeless shelters or wherever they may be. Moreland says, "We empower families and caregivers to help the kids with their reactions. Using short-term, trauma-based cognitive behavioral therapy, we help them come up with coping skills."
Moreland is a firm believer in the power of prevention and positive role models for troubled kids. An MSPCC program that she'd like to expand works with adolescents with problematic sexual behaviorSEmDkids who are at risk for continuing the cycle of sexual abuse. She says, "To treat victims after the fact isn't the only solution; I'd like to prevent them from getting hurt. It's a simple approach, but hard to fund."
MSPCC's services are either covered by insurance, including state-funded MassHealth, or are paid for through grants and donations. But even among families who have insurance, co-payments of $30 or $40 a visit can be prohibitive beyond a few sessions.
"We try and keep moving forward with less," Moreland says. Working with other child and family agencies in the region, such as schools, courts, and pediatrician's offices, helps MSPCC connect families with wider resources.
Moreland says MSPCC's focus is constantly shifting to adjust to the needs of Cape residents. Community violence and suicide rates among young people are at a "crisis point," according to Moreland, and MSPCC is on "red alert." The agency's Child and Adolescent Trauma Treatment Program has seen a spike in activity in light of these recent problems.
As the Cape Cod MSPCC office approaches its 95th year in 2010, Moreland says she's extremely proud of the clinicians, youth mentors, support staff and parent partners she works with. And while Moreland and MSPCC face many challenges, she is optimistic. "I see some wonderful things. To watch some of these families that can get up in the morning after what they've been through is truly amazing," she says. For Moreland and MSPCC, hope is a precious resource and reward.