Why?
22% of children living at 100% of the federal poverty level have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder
Almost 56% of children in GA ages 0-17 years have experienced some form of trauma, reporting at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE’s), and often more.
Children receiving care for anxiety, depression, or behavior problems are more likely to be poor.
Without an accurate and timely diagnosis, children do not have access to the services they need at school or home.
Only 800 Board Certified Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians in the US in 2017.
9 in 10 children receive regular medical care from a primary care provider, but only 1 in 3 pediatricians report that they have sufficient training to diagnose and treat children with mental disorders.
The Kisner Foundation's focus on health will help start the Children’s Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness program, which will address social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental concerns in children and adolescents. This program will provide an interdisciplinary approach to Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness that will include collaboration with the Medical College of Georgia Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior and support from the existing Emily S. Baumann Children and Adolescent Psychotherapy Fund.
