Children across the country are abused at an alarming rate. According to the Children’s Defense Fund, a child is abused or neglected every 36 seconds. That is 3,000,000 reports of abuse received by child protection agencies every year. We know the number of children traumatized by abuse and neglect is under-reported. Annually, over 1,200 reports of abuse and neglect are received by Greene County Children Services, resulting in services to almost 3,000 children. Undoubtedly these numbers will grow as families struggle with uncertain economic conditions, substandard child care, and the frustrations of poverty. The unfortunate reality is that the need for a facility like Michael’s House, to help with the most serious cases, will only grow.