Public Assistance Needed for Toddlers’ Home

Olive Crest Treatment Center, which has cared for Orange County child abuse and incest victims for more than 10 years, is starting a program to treat victims between the ages of 2 and 5, but public assistance is needed before a group home for these children can be opened.

The partially government-funded program will be the first of its kind in the county to treat toddlers and young children whose problems are too serious to be handled in a foster home, said Olive Crest’s founder, Dr. Donald Verleur. Now, severely abused children in that age group have to leave the county for treatment, he said.

“The kind of kids we’ll be getting would drive a foster home bananas,” Verleur said, noting that the six to eight young children in the home would need constant mental and physical care.

Verleur said he hopes to get the program under way sometime in May or June but is still looking for a facility and donations of cribs, toys and other toddler items.

“There is a big need for this type of program,” he said. “We’re putting a lot of research into it, and we’re really excited about it.”

Federal, state and local funds will pay for round-the-clock care of the youngsters, as well as counseling with the children’s families, where possible. Verleur said the toddler program will place a larger emphasis on family reunification than Olive Crest’s treatment program for older children because the abusing family can be helped more easily if caught in the early stages.

Olive Crest now has 11 Orange County group homes housing 130 children over age 5. Those interested in donating items for the toddler program can call the Olive Crest office at (714) 547-0361.