Since 1872, The Methodist Home has provided a residential program for children who are dependent, neglected and abused. Over 7,000 children have resided at the Home. During 2003, over 600 children found hope and help at The Methodist Home.
Basic care placement is provided when a child must be removed from the child’s home and the court has delegated responsibility to DHR to provide care for a child in a residential group facility in which the basic needs of the child, including food, clothing, and shelter are met.
Residential Care- Description
Residential Treatment provides a highly structured program with 24-hour supervision. Secure programming in available for evaluation and crisis stabilization as needed for children in acute conditions of danger to self or others. There are formalized behavior programs and therapeutic interventions, including individual, group and family therapy. The treatment plan is implemented in all aspects of the daily living routine of the children served. A therapeutic environment is created in which all activities planned and interventions applied are individually designed with the goal of stabilizing and improving the serious emotional problems of the children served. Children are allowed access to community activities, public school participation, and other normalizing situations as promptly and fully as is consistent with their treatment plans. There is 24-hour nursing coverage; and social work, psychiatric and psychological support is on staff. An on-campus school is available.
Residential group child care and treatment at The Methodist Home is for children, who for various reasons, cannot or should not live in their own home, and who need this type of care. We recognize that residential child care is one form of alternative care and strive to admit youth who are appropriate. We serve youth between the ages of 6-18. Our Therapeutic Foster Care Program may serve youth under the age of six. We also maintain basic needs for youth who continue their education after high school. Each child may remain at The Home as long as his/her needs are being met at The Home. Other forms of alternative care (therapeutic foster care, group home, adoption) are considered at regular intervals to assure the most appropriate care is provided. Above all, family restoration is considered the ultimate goal when possible. We strive for the goal of assuring that every child who leaves The Methodist Home has a planned and orderly placement to his next living situation.
At The Home, the children are provided consistency and routine in their day-to-day living to a degree which they perhaps have never known. They usually are one of 8-10 children in a cottage. They are supervised by Child Care Workers who are responsible for their daily living needs. On campus, Chapter I tutors are provided to those youth who need assistance in remedial work and can profit from individualized help. The religious program is under the direction of our Chaplain/Campus Life Coordinator who is also responsible for supervising the recreation program. The health care needs of each child are met through a physician and specialists in health care. Dental care is provided by dentists in private practice. All of these services are coordinated by the Director of Health Services. The children are assigned to a Family Consultant who manage their Plan of Care. |
