For The Child Continues to Offer Mental Health Care for Uninsured Children Recovering from Abuse

In a financially challenging time, when abused and neglected children who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal have few treatment options, Long Beach-based For The Child (FTC) is able to provide mental health services to underserved and uninsured children and teens. No child will be turned away thanks to a $257,000.00 child abuse treatment grant (CHAT) from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).

These highly coveted funds pair dollars from the Federal Office of Victims of Crimes and the State of California. The 2026 award may be renewed for an additional four years pending annual approval of federal funds. This is the 6^thtime in 30 years that FTC has been awarded the funding in a competitive bidding process.

“This funding speaks to the value and necessity of early trauma-informed care to help neglected and abused children heal and live productive lives,” shared FTC’s Executive Director Dr. Michele Winterstein. “This resource for the community allows FTC to continue child abuse program services for more than 100 children annually and allows us to expand and direct more local private funds to the growing need for services for young teens.”

These funds also support FTC’s Child Abuse Response Team (CART), an integral part of a Los Angeles County Sexual Assault Response Team, providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and linkage to services during law enforcement interviews and forensic medical exams at three local hospitals in cases of sexual abuse of children and youth. CART serves children from infancy to 18-year-olds.

Recognized by the City of Long Beach as a legacy nonprofit, for more than 50 years FTC has been strengthening families and making a difference in the lives of children who have faced abuse in any way: physical, sexual, neglect, or have witnessed violence. FTC also serves children and teens with other mental health challenges. At the heart of all of FTC’s programs are families experiencing stress, children at risk, child victims, and the families and community members that care for them. FTC leads program development and delivery by safeguarding these children and working with children and families to provide the tools that they need to lead safe, happy, and productive lives.

“Our services are designed to help children recover with healthy emotions and behavior, strengthen family safety and resilience, and build supportive community connections,” Winterstein said.

FTC’s mission is simple and important. Children should be treated with respect and protected from abuse. The nonprofit 501c3 FTC offers services in both English and Spanish.

To refer a child or family, contact FTC at (562) 422-8472 or Referral@ForTheChild.org.