Services Provided to Youth

 

Accredited On-Grounds School - The Home's James E. Davis School has successfully completed Performance Based Accreditation through the Indiana Department of Education. The on-grounds school is for students who cannot function academically and/or behaviorally in the public school setting. The average classroom size is 8 to 10 students. Most residents attend the on-grounds school full-time, some attend a Lebanon public school full-time and some divide their day between the two. Tutorial services are available to each student. Older students may participate in a GED study program if such placement is appropriate.

 

Day Treatment - Day Treatment is available as an extension of the Home's accredited educational program. Through these services, the Home is able to reach out to "at risk" students in Boone and surrounding counties. Youth in the day treatment program are typically experiencing significant academic and/or behavioral difficulties in the public school setting and may also be demonstrating behavioral difficulties at home. Students attend the on-grounds school during the day. After school, they receive individual, group and family counseling services. They return to their own home each evening.  Referrals are welcome from the County Offices of the Indiana Department of Child Services and the County Juvenile Courts as well as local school corporations and the Indiana Department of Education. Transportation arrangements to the Home's campus are planned on an individual basis.

 

Recreational Program - A recreation program is provided which encourages the development of individual interests, a sense of self-worth and the development of relationship skills through group participation. The Home utilizes on-campus facilities and community resources. Activities offered include: hiking, attending sporting event, movies and plays, arts and crafts activities, library visits and trips to area museums and cultural events. The program also provides for free, unscheduled leisure time for each resident to relax or pursue individual interests.

 

Group Homes - The Children's Home has two group homes located off the main campus. One unit can house six boy while the other unit houses six girls. The main goal of group home living is to prepare youth for independent living. Residents work with social workers and counselors specializing in teaching independent living skills. Individual and group counseling for these residents focuses on relevant issues such as budgeting, maintaining a checking account, and securing employment. Group counseling is also available to older residents who live on the main campus.

 

Homebased Counseling Services - These services are targeted to families in crisis in order to prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement of children. These services are available in Boone and surrounding counties.

 

Staff Intensive Programs - Staff Intensive Programs are designed to serve boys and girls between the ages of 10-15. Children served in this program demonstrate serious emotional and behavioral problems. Presenting problems may include noncompliance with authority, significant peer relationship problems, self injurious behaviors and anger management difficulties. While receiving a more intensive level of supervision, structure and behavior management, residents will also receive therapeutic services and a full time education at the Home's accredited on-grounds school facility.

 

Staff Secure Therapeutic Care Unit - A Staff Secure Therapeutic Care Unit offers a caring, highly structured alternative for boys needing intensive supervision and counseling. This staff secure unit was developed for 10 boys between the ages of 6 and 13. Severe emotional and behavioral problems, including aggression are characteristics of males for this unit.

 

Religious Education - Indiana United Methodist Children's Home believes the opportunity for religious growth and development of each resident is an important component of the treatment process. Each Sunday morning, the residents attend worship services at Gress Memorial Chapel on campus. Residents whose parent or placing agency wish to make transportation and supervision arrangement may attend a church of their choice. An on-campus Vesper Service is held under the direction of the Home's Christian Education Leader. Daily devotions are held in each living unit. Youth may volunteer to attend additional activities including a choir and drama ministry, youth fellowship and church school. An outreach ministry to local nursing homes is also offered.

 

Individual, Group and Family Counseling - Professionally educated Social Workers and Counselors conduct a variety of therapy groups. A resident may be considered for therapy groups throughout the treatment process. The specialized treatment groups currently offered include: Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Children of Alcoholic Parents and Sex Offenders. The Home also facilitates a support group for parents. Individual counseling for each child is provided at least twice a week with crisis counseling as needed. Social workers provide family counseling on a monthly basis.

 

Psychological and Psychiatric Consultations - Indiana United Methodist Children's Home utilizes consultants in psychiatry and psychology. The consulting psychiatrist and psychologist interview the residents in placement to evaluate emotional and intellectual functioning, assess progress and offer information and recommendations regarding a course of action to the treatment team. Psychotropic medications may be prescribed by the psychiatrist, who continues to monitor the resident on a monthly basis. Placing agencies and parents are notified when a resident is placed on psychotropic medication.

 

Structured Living Units - There are six living units on the main campus which offer a group living experience. Group living is designed to help the residents grow and mature through relationships. The supervision of daily activities and teaching of daily living skills is provided by the child care staff.

 

After Care Program - Each resident will be provided with a specialized aftercare program to help with their transition home. This can include, but is not limited to individual counseling at Indiana United Methodist Children's Home, family counseling or referral networking with various resources in the community.  Each resident and family is made aware that our interest and concern extends past the discharge date and they may contact Indiana United Methodist Children's Home anytime for assistance. At the time of admission, the placing agency and parents are asked to recognize the importance of aftercare services by signing a Statement of Aftercare Services Form. There is no additional charge for this service.

Building Better Lives... One Child At A Time