In
1985 two women inspired by a need in the Mercer County, NJ community
launched their own non-profit organization. After working at an existing
community non-profit in the rape crisis program, realizing that the
requests for help for children were numerous and that a child specific
program did not exist, Prevention Education Inc. was created. Meetings
began around the dining room table. Six initial Board Members were recruited
and grants applications were written. In a matter of months, with funding
in place and the coordinated effort of the agency founders, duties were
split. One founder served as Executive Director. The second served as
the Child Assault Prevention Director inaugurating the first prevention
program.
This two person agency has grown into a much larger organization in
the past 25 years. Prevention programs have expanded encompassing
all grade levels and they consist of four different approaches, each
with its own theme. Intervention programs have been established and
have also grown. The need for intervention counseling for victims of
sexual abuse has not abated. The agency has developed its second intervention
program to assist youth at risk develop more positive habits, attitudes
and approaches to the circumstances which they experience. Advocacy
programs have been initiated to assist DYFS with the many responsibilities
they encounter in managing caseloads - regular transportation services
and supervised visits between children and birth parents, siblings and
family members.
As the years have passed, PEI Kids has continued to develop new programs
to meet the needs of the community and has expanded initial programs
as demand has increased. PEI Kids has become Mercer County's most comprehensive
provider of programs geared to the safety and well being of children.
In the Spring of 2004, Prevention Education Inc. became PEI Kids. After
months of deliberation this name was selected because it represents
the clients we serve - kids, and maintains our historic acronym - P-E-I.
Now, P-E-I also respresents the three main types of programming we offer:
prevention, education and intervention.
