PEI Kids History

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 22 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.

PEI Kids' Resource Development Committee:

Tracey Destribats, Chair • Sharon L.Cappella • Devin A. Davis

Blaine Elmer • Thurman Jay Gates • Hon. Diane Gerofsky

Scott G. Gill • Robert A. Gladstone, Esq. • Jennifer Makris Hill

Eunice Jadlocki • Sharon Kane • M.J. Kelly • Alessandra B. Kop'Kash

Janet Manfredi-Flannery • Jeffrey McDonald • Alan Meinster

Jennifer Millner, Esq. • Kyla Mostello • Hon. Robert Prunetti •

Philip Schwehm • Maryann Scott Maccaroni • Gloria S. Teti •

Hon. Doris Weisberg