Clarity Child Guidance Center Earns Level 1 Trauma-Informed Care Certification
Clarity Child Guidance Center, a cornerstone in children’s mental health care in South Texas, has earned the Level 1 Foundational Trauma-Informed Care Organizational Certification from the Ecumenical Center, marking a significant milestone in its 138-year legacy of service to children and families.
The certification recognizes organizations that embody the principles of trauma-informed care by promoting resilience and empowerment through practices rooted in safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and support. This approach is increasingly recognized as essential in mental health treatment, especially for vulnerable populations.
Clarity Child Guidance Center’s journey toward certification began more than a decade ago, when its mental health professionals identified that approximately 90% of the children and teens they served had experienced some form of trauma. Recognizing this, Clarity began integrating trauma-informed care practices into its programs over 13 years ago and expanded these efforts across departments in the last two and a half years to meet the standards for organizational certification.
“Trauma-informed care is a perfect fit for the treatment approach that we use at Clarity Child Guidance Center,” said Jessica Knudsen, LCSW, FACHE, Clarity’s President and CEO. “The certification process was a great reminder that we need to utilize the same level of empathy with our peers and colleagues as we do with our families in need of services.”
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The comprehensive certification process included employee and participant feedback, targeted education, intensive staff training, and a formal site visit. According to Clarity, this holistic approach not only enhanced its ability to serve patients, but also positively impacted internal culture and staff engagement.
“Using a trauma-informed treatment approach improved the quality of care to our patients and families,” added Carol Carver, MSN, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Obtaining our certification in trauma-informed care expands the use of trauma-informed principles to all departments at Clarity and improves employee engagement and benefits everyone who comes in contact with Clarity.”
Serving more than 6,000 children and teens annually across Bexar County and surrounding areas, Clarity is the only nonprofit in South Texas dedicated solely to children’s mental health. The organization offers a comprehensive continuum of care, including a 74-bed inpatient mental health hospital, a 24/7 walk-in crisis service for children experiencing mental health emergencies, outpatient therapy, day treatment programs, psychological assessments, care coordination, and even recreational therapy.
Importantly, Clarity ensures that financial barriers never prevent a child from receiving care. The organization’s patient population includes 65% low-income, state-supported children covered by Medicaid, CHIP, STARHealth, STARKids, and other subsidized programs. Families without insurance or resources are still provided treatment, underscoring Clarity’s mission to ensure that every child and family that needs help receives it.
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The certification was granted by the Ecumenical Center, the certifying body for the South Texas Trauma-Informed Care Consortium—a collaborative initiative involving The Children’s Shelter, Voices for Children, and the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. The Institute for Trauma-Informed Care at University Health also played a key role by offering training, coaching, and technical assistance throughout Clarity’s certification journey.
In a statement, the Ecumenical Center commended Clarity for its leadership: “Clarity Child Guidance Center's commitment to the mental and emotional well-being of children is deeply aligned with the core principles of Trauma-Informed Care. By achieving Level 1 Certification, Clarity is demonstrating not only their dedication to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment, but also their leadership in creating safe, supportive environments where children and families can heal and thrive.”
The designation marks Clarity as a leader in trauma-informed care in San Antonio and the broader South Texas region. It also supports a growing awareness of the long-term impact of trauma on mental health and the importance of organizational transformation to address it.
For families in San Antonio searching for trauma-informed children’s mental health care, Clarity stands as a beacon of healing and hope. Learn more about Clarity Child Guidance Center’s services, mission, and community impact at claritycgc.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.