After hearing child care staff express despair about the children’s excessive behavioral problems, the organization was created in June 1999 as a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation registered in the state of Florida to provide on-site, no charge, early childhood mental health services at subsidized childcare centers, helping at-risk children.

ABC began by providing no charge play therapy sessions two to three hours a week in five child care centers Palm Beach County, plus workshops for teachers. The results were encouraging and won the support of the child care centers’ staff. This early success led to funding, which was used to expand ABC’s services to therapy for teachers and parents, teacher/parent workshops, and child/parent psychotherapy.

ABC Today

We operate multiple programs serving the needs of different populations. Our original onsite mental health services evolved into the Childcare Center Social and Emotional Wellness Program (CCSEW). Training and continuing education for mental health professionals is provided through ABC’s Play Therapy Academy. Individual therapy and counseling for families takes place in the Child and Family Center. Our Community Capacity Building Program is working to raise awareness of the developmental needs of children and build a greater capacity to meet these needs.

We need your support

ABC receives NO government funding -- we rely on grants and donations entirely in order to bring needed mental health services to our community. As a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation registered in the state of Florida, ABC must comply with stringent reporting requirements on the sources of funding and the disbursement of those funds. We’re happy to say that 95% of our funding goes directly to childrens’ services. (You can see for yourself by checking our “Guidestar” listing for more information.

How you can help

There are many ways you can show your support for ABC. Some are as easy as using “Good Search” instead of Google when looking for information on the internet! Click here for more information. Or you can make a donation or volunteer.