The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County in partnership with Chattanooga’s Family Justice Center and Helen Ross McNabb Center will offer a free event to the community on Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the FJC, 5741 Cornelison Road, next to the TVA Credit Union in the Eastgate area.
"The tragic events in our area have impacted all of us, but the short-term and long-term effects can be especially difficult for children and families, particularly as a new school year is about to begin," organizers said.
The National Child Trauma Stress Network states that “The combination of life-threatening traumatic experiences, disruption of routines and expectations of daily life, and post-violence adversities pose psychological challenges to the recovery of children and families in the affected areas.”
The Family Justice Center will be open on Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for families in the community to come by for information, resources, and opportunities to talk with professionals trained in the effect of trauma on children and families. Therapy dogs will also be present and a variety creative art activities to provide various opportunities for children to express their feelings.
Executive Director of the CACHC, Shelley McGraw states, “Since 1991, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County has worked extensively to wrap comprehensive services around children who’ve experienced severe abuse. This tragic event in our community give us a unique opportunity to work together with other mental health providers to ensure that families and children have the information and resources needed to make sense of what happened. The Children’s Advocacy Center is proud to co-locate with the Helen Ross McNabb Center at the Family Justice Center as we work together to bring better outcomes to our community.”