 Newark,
NJ -- After
fifty years of tireless service (first as a dedicated social
worker and subsequently as Administrative Director of the RDTC)
to the children of Essex County, West Orange resident Peg Foster,
CSW, was recently honored by Children’s Hospital of New
Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center on the occasion of
her retirement. Ms. Foster helped to spearhead child abuse treatment
in New Jersey, starting the first child abuse treatment program
in 1975 and creating the state’s first pediatric sexual
assault treatment program in 1980.
The Metropolitan Regional Diagnostic and Treatment
Center (Metro RDTC) at NBIMC, where she worked, recently dedicated
a playroom in her name. The Metro RDTC is one of New Jersey’s
four legislatively designated centers of excellence for the evaluation,
diagnosis, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
“The playroom offers comfort to the many
children who are evaluated at the Metro RDTC, and it is a fitting
tribute to Peg who has been an unwavering advocate for children,” says
Caridad Moreno, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Metro RDTC. “Peg
has been instrumental in developing practice standards for patients
and their families, as well as in implementing treatment programs
for this vulnerable population for a very long time.”
Some of the children that Ms. Foster assisted
are now grandmothers. She has treated several generations of
some families. Children who were “very young and very abused” have
gone on to college and emerged as educators, psychologists and
advocates for the program.
“Many of the children have stayed in touch
with me and that is always very rewarding,” she said.
When Ms. Foster entered the social work field,
there was very little provided in the way of treatment for victims
of child abuse. Seeing a gaping need, during a time of social
change, she established the first treatment program in the state.
Ms. Foster went on to lead the RDTC at Newark Beth Israel, which
became one of four hospital-based legislatively designated centers
for the diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
Ms. Foster was at the forefront of treatment of
sexual abuse in children. In her early days as a social worker,
treatment only existed for adult victims of sexual abuse. As
she counseled adults, Ms. Foster saw that the abuse often began
in childhood. In 1975 Ms. Foster and Dr. Anna Haroutunian, past
Medical Director of the RDTC, worked with the Essex County Prosecutor's
Office, DYFS, and the Police Department to develop a program
for sexually abused children and adolescents. The Sexual Assault
Program was the first program of its kind in New Jersey.
Despite the challenges and heartaches of the profession,
Ms. Foster said the children, ages 6 months to 18 years, were
always her inspiration.
“You have to be dedicated because every
day there is a healing process that needs to take place for these
children, “ she said. “Knowing that a child is benefiting
from your help keeps you going. To feel that I have made a difference
in their lives has been my privilege. They have certainly made
a difference in mine.”
Ms. Foster plans to spend her retirement days
with her husband and her family. “We thank her for her
hard work and relentless efforts for the benefit of so many child
victims of abuse and neglect and their families,” said
Dr. Moreno, “and we wish her many years of health and happiness.”
To make a donation to the Metro RDTC, please call
the NBIMC Foundation at (973) 926-7018.
The Metropolitan Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center
The “METRO RDTC” at Children’s Hospital of
New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, is one of New
Jersey’s four legislatively designated centers of excellence
for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of child abuse and
neglect. New Jersey’s four RDTCs are all based at teaching
centers and serve areas in Northern, Metropolitan (Essex and Union
Counties), Central, and Southern New Jersey. Professionals from
the Center, in collaboration with the Essex County Prosecutors’ Office,
provide services at the Essex County Child Advocacy Center, Wynona’s
House. Clinicians from the RDTC also provide expert witness court
testimony, when needed, and serve on New Jersey’s Regional
Community-based Child Fatality Review Team. For more information,
please call 973-926-4500.
Date: July 28, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
[ top ] [ back to news index ]
|
