Treatment Services

Treatment Services: VOCA and SATP

VOCA and SATP

The devastating effects of abuse on a child can last a lifetime if left untreated. Since 1993, Manatee Children’s Services has provided mental health counseling programs that specialize in providing treatment to child abuse victims based on their history of physical and/or sexual abuse.

The clinical programs at MCS use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help children overcome trauma-related difficulties. These programs assist the child, along with non-offending family members, and help decrease behavior patterns and emotional responses that occur as a result of trauma.

Through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program, child victims of crime and their family members engage in mental health counseling to help them heal from the difficult and painful process of being victimized by crime acts.  

Through the Sexual Abuse Treatment (SATP) program, victims of child sexual abuse and their family members engage in specialized, community-based, family-centered treatment from a highly qualified sexual abuse therapist. This therapist is supervised by a Licensed Mental Health Therapist who is certified by the Member of the Association for Treatment of Sexual Abuse. 

To help clients achieve long-term success, clinicians provide families with therapeutic education to help break the cycle of abuse and help ensure it does not repeat. Children in the treatment program are taught how to recognize safety threats, how and who/when/where to report abuse, and how to protect themselves. They also learn how to recognize grooming practices, use their voice to say no and report abuse, and protect themselves. These strategies reduce the rate of potential abuse in the future.  

Our treatment program’s success is determined with no verified findings of abuse as a result of therapeutic education. In the year ending September 30, 2022, our treatment program achieved a 100% success rate within 6 months of program completion and a 99% success rate within 18 months of completion.

Testimonials

“Our therapist has been more than amazing. My son loves her. At first, he didn’t want to do it and now he asks when he’s going to therapy.”  

“Our experience with clinical when my daughter was younger made us reach out and come back again.” 

“Tiffany” entered the Non-Offending Caregiver program as a single mother after her child was abused by her partner. Initially she did not believe or support her child after the abuse was disclosed, but after attending group sessions, Tiffany disclosed her own sexual abuse and lack of support. She realized this was a bad feeling and began to see the importance of supporting and protecting her child. Tiffany successfully completed all sessions in the program with a newfound mindset necessary to rebuild the relationship between her and her child.

How to help our SATP and VOCA treatment teams:

  • Art therapy supplies 
  • Sensory tools and toys 
  • Gift cards to fund therapeutic items as needed 
  • General monetary donations for unrestricted funds to support ongoing therapeutic tools 

For more information on our Treatment programs, contact Celeste Martens, LCSW, Clinical Services Director.

MCS provides a full spectrum of programs serving over 12,000 children and families annually. Since its inception in 1977 as the Manatee County’s first and only emergency shelter for abused children in foster care, MCS has grown to offer programs in treatment, prevention, intervention, and residential services.  

Have a question? Need more Information?

MANATEE CHILDREN'S SERVICES, INC. IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT CORPORATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 (OR 1-800-352-9832 EN ESPAÑOLA) OR GOING ON THE DEPARTMENTS WEBSITE WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF EACH CONTRIBUTION IS RECEIVED BY THE MANATEE CHILDREN'S SERVICES, INC. REGISTRATION #CH5547

Manatee Children's Services, Inc. complies with applicable statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, age and religion. Accessibility/availability of services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired or non-English speaking are provided. MCS also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to agency facilities. For additional information contact Manatee Children's Services, (941) 345-1200. 

Contact Us

Address:
1227 9th Avenue West
Bradenton FL, 34205

941-345-1200
info@mcsfl.com


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