A History of Caring for Children

Innovative Treatment Programs

Child & Adolescent Treatment Services, since 1937, has had a long and distinguished track record of developing innovative treatment programs to promote the emotional well-being of children and families.  CATS improves the health of our communities by teaching children positive alternatives to violence, helping families improve understanding and communications, as well as helping children to achieve their full academic potential.

Currently, CATS delivers counseling and treatment services in accesible, child-friendly offices throughout Erie County, as well as in schools and other community based settings.  Our staff of multidisciplinary mental health professionals provides specialized programs for children with emotional disorders, victims of physical and sexual abuse, suicide prevention, and violence prevention, as well as guidance of parents.

 Meeting the challenges of the last decade

The last decade has seen the expansion of programs developed in response to increasingly complex challenges. Long recognized as the lead agency in providing services to sexually abused children, CATS opened the Lee Gross Anthone Child Advocacy Center in 1994. This program, which was recognized by the United Way as the outstanding community collaboration in 1999, has helped thousands of children in our community heal from the emotional scars of child sexual abuse and has improved the prosecution of alleged offenders.

Whatever it takes to prevent out of home placement

CATS' services include home and community based programs, adopting the philosophy "whatever it takes" to prevent children from requiring placement in foster care, psychiatric hospitals or detention centers. Family advocates enhance the services provided by professional staff, and are available around the clock to help families deal effectively with crisis situations.

Yearly, more than 2500 children and their families benefit from CATS' services.  Of these, 97% indicate high satisfaction with the services they received.