The Cushman Foundation Awards $75,000 for Youth Firesetter Intervention

The Cushman Foundation’s initiative, “Making a Difference for San Diego” provides funding to elevate or create new programs that make a difference, awarding $1.2 million to 15 deserving organizations.

The Burn Institute was awarded a $75,000 grant for our Youth Firesetter Intervention and Prevention Program (YFS). Designed to act as a central service for community partners such as the courts, fire service, law enforcement and schools, the Burn Institute accepts referrals of youth (5 to 17) who engaged in firesetting activities. YFS provides assessment, intervention, education and mental health referrals as needed to prevent future firesetting behavior.

Youth firesetting has been an on-going challenge throughout the nation for years. Research indicates that fires started by children accounted for 50K fires annually with associated losses of 800 civilian deaths and 860 civilian injuries. Currently, there is no other organization that provides assessment, intervention and prevention for youth firesetting in San Diego County.

The Burn Institute is proud to launch this important program and provide this invaluable resource to the community. Thanks to the support of the Cushman Foundation, we will be working with local fire agencies, as well as city and county partners, to effectively develop and implement the program.