HISTORY
The Bertha Abess Children's Center, Inc. was established as "The Children’s Center" by a group of concerned citizens in 1962 to provide intensive, comprehensive day treatment programs to severely emotionally disturbed students. The program was originally funded by private donations from the community, but as the need increased, public and private funding were blended. In 1963, the Center entered into a cooperative agreement with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to provide limited in-kind resources - teachers, transportation and facilities.
The Center has greatly increased its affiliations and services over the years to include the major systems in our community that serve children. The Center currently provides a range of programs in addition to day treatment to address the diverse needs of childrren and youth with emotional problems. Cooperative and contractual agreements now include Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Public Health Trust, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, The Children's Trust, and the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development. Funding sources include Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Miami-Dade Department of Human Services, The Children's Trust, the Florida Department of Children and Families, United Way, Medicaid, Health Foundation of South Florida, other foundations, corporations and private donors. All eligible children are served regardless of the family’s ability to pay for services.
