RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Provides $80,000 in Grants to Support Survivors of Child Abuse and Neglect
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, July 29, 2024 – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Foundation announced today it has awarded $80,000 to support survivors of child abuse and neglect in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan in Petoskey and Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center in Marquette both received a $40,000 grant. The two child advocacy centers will use the funds for children to heal from trauma and gain access to health care and other resources that improve health outcomes.
At least one in seven children experienced child abuse in the U.S. in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Michigan League for Public Policy reports there were more than 24,000 victims of abuse and/or neglect in Michigan children ages birth to 17 in 2023. As the need for care is prevalent, child advocacy centers conduct forensic interviews to begin coordinating care for children who’ve been physically or sexually abused or witnessed a violent act. After the interview, children and caregivers begin to receive needed care or referrals with a staff advocate being an ongoing resource. The collaborative care team, often consisting of law enforcement, prosecutors, therapists, mental health providers and the medical community, work together to ensure local families receive the best support possible.
“Adverse childhood experiences can significantly impact children physically, behaviorally and mentally, making abuse and neglect an urgent public health issue to address,” said Audrey Harvey, executive director and chief executive officer of BCBSM Foundation. “These two organizations do commendable and critical work where otherwise abuse survivors would go without the necessary care and healing they need. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is honored to fund such an important cause that will propel health equity for the youngest Michiganders.”
Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) provides specialized services for women, children and families in Antrim, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Otsego counties. To reduce barriers and burdensome costs to survivors and families, the organization provides behavioral and mental health care free of charge as a part of its child advocacy center. WRCNM will use the BCBSM Foundation grant to support costs associated with the child advocacy center, including forensic interviews, advocacy with non-offending caregivers and family members and licensed therapy services.
Research has shown social skills of children with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) may deteriorate at a faster pace without intervention. However, through child centered play therapy, which WRCNM provides, children often experience growth in empathy and social competence. The child advocacy center services prevent additional mental health concerns as survivors age into adulthood.
“We are thrilled to partner with BCBSM Foundation to support child survivors in northern Michigan on their path to healing from trauma. These funds will provide critical services in our rural community that are otherwise difficult to access,” said Gail Kloss, executive director of Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.
Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center serves U.P. children and families through comprehensive high-quality intervention for child maltreatment, community education, advocacy and connection to resources. The organization, serving Marquette, Alger and Schoolcraft Counties, and areas in the central and eastern U.P., provides a beacon of hope, help and healing to children and teen survivors of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking and/or witness to violence.
In Marquette county, more than 1,100 children face abuse, neglect or human trafficking each year, a number that has risen 44% over the past decade. As the only child advocacy center in the county, Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center is meeting a critical need for services which previously were void since at least 2019. Funds provided by the BCBSM Foundation will be used to sustain and grow services in U.P., gain accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance and provide an opportunity to receive federal funding through Department of Justice Victim of Crime Act.
“This grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation recognizes child maltreatment as a health concern in the Upper Peninsula and invests in trauma-informed and healing-oriented solutions. We are able to focus on the needs of our most vulnerable children and ensure they can heal from what has happened to them and rediscover hope and happiness,” said Sarah Zyburt, executive director of Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBluesPerspectives.com. For more on the BCBSM Foundation, visit bcbsm.com/foundation.
