Help for Children
Services for Children
At Palomar, we are sensitive to the impact that trauma has on children. Bringing your children with you will not be a barrier to you receiving the myriad of services we provide. Palomar provides an onsite monitored play room especially designed by Rainbow Fleet for children of all ages. Your children will be in a safe environment while you meet with the agencies available to meet your needs.
We collaborate with our onsite partners: Rainbow Fleet, Northcare, Parent Promise, and the Oklahoma City County Health Department to provide onsite services for the minor dependents of our clients. Our other services for children include:
- Immunizations
- Developmental screenings
- Diapers, formula, and clothing for babies and toddlers
- Family support and crisis management
- Parenting classes
- Support in reporting abuse and/or neglect
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
The ACE Study examined how traumatic experiences during childhood affect adult health and well-being over the last 20 years. 17,000 participants were recruited to answer a ten question survey. Each survey question corresponds to a different traumatic event category an individual could have experienced during childhood (before the age of 18).
Multiple research studies show there is a direct correlation between exposure to trauma as a child and long term negative effects as an adult. Studies reveal that trauma can harmfully alter the development of a child’s brain. The effect of this disruption is evident all throughout an individual’s life and is the cause of much chronic disease, most mental illness, and is at the root of most violence.
For example, one study compared persons with an ACE score of 0 to those with a score of 4 or more. Those scoring 4 or more were twice as likely to be smokers, 12 times more likely to have attempted suicide, 7 times more likely to be alcoholic and 10 times more likely to have injected street drugs compared to individuals who scored 0.
A multitude of other studies have revealed that the more ACEs a child experiences, the greater the likelihood they will experience the following:
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Drug Use
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Suicide Attempts
- Heart Disease
