The Hearth Center for Eating Disorders at Carolina Children’s Home to suspend operations
September 5, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – After long, thorough, and extremely difficult discussions, the Board of Directors of Carolina Children’s Home (CCH) has decided to suspend offering eating disorders services.
“The Board strongly believes that a comprehensive eating disorders program is vital to the people of South Carolina as this disease quietly affects so many of our young people. We have invested a substantial amount of time and financial resources in launching and operating this program over the past 33 months. Unfortunately the volume of patients has not reached a sustainable level and our resources are depleted. We will continue to search for a partner so that these services can viably exist in our community.” stated Stephen Creech, Board Chair.
“We deeply value our staff and recognize that unfortunately this decision will impact all of our talented and loyal professionals. These are truly exceptional and dedicated people that have positively impacted the lives of over 150 patients with an eating disorder,” said John Kessler, Executive Director. This suspension will impact 35 full time and 15 part time staff.
Carolina Children’s Home was established in 1909 as a non-denominational orphanage. The orphanage grew rapidly and served over 115 children at its highest level. As the needs of South Carolina’s children changed in the late 1970’s, CCH began caring for behaviorally challenged and mentally ill youth. In 2012, CCH identified the need for mental health treatment targeted toward children and young adults with eating disorders. Realizing there was no full service, comprehensive, residential and outpatient eating disorders program in South Carolina, CCH opened The Hearth Center for Eating Disorders on the CCH campus in January 2013. It is estimated that there are 4,000 people affected by this disease in South Carolina today.
The Carolina Children’s Home (CCH) is a private, not for profit organization founded in 1909. Its mission is “to meet the underserved mental and physical health needs of children, young adults and their families. CCH supports this with a range of prevention and treatment programs that provide tools and support for maximizing individual potential and transitioning to healthy adulthood. “ CCH specifically provides out-patient counseling and a comprehensive residential and outpatient eating disorder service. CCH is accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.
