(CENTREVILLE) – An organization that helps St. Joseph County children has received an anonymous gift.

Children’s Trauma Assessment Group, or CTAG, has been given $15,000.

CTAG is made up of St. Joseph County Probate Court, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, area police agencies, the Department of Human Services, local psychologists, school officials, Community Mental Health and the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District.

Child trauma is defined as sexual abuse, removal from a parent’s home due to a recent drug bust, death of a parent, a car accident or bullying.

Prior to the existence of CTAG, a child who experienced trauma was scheduled for a trauma assessment, waiting sometimes up to nine months for their appointment. This assessment would recommend to the court, child protective services, and their guardian what services or treatment the child would need to move past the trauma they endured.

With the assistance and support of Judge Dave Tomlinson, CTAG opened an office in Centreville. They have been serving children in St. Joseph County since 2014, and are able to do the assessments in a more timely manner

Prosecutor David Marvin has agreed to use the videos of these assessments in court, hoping to use them as evidence for prosecution if necessary. He is also hoping to use the CTAG office for forensic interviews if needed.

CTAG Charter Board Member Deana Strudwick says this gift is very much needed and very appreciated. She says getting our children past the trauma is one step closer to helping them grow into successful adults.