Traditionally, group home and foster care programs end when the individual turns 18 years of age. There are programs at The Children’s Home that can extend a resident’s stay until 21 years of age. It has been discovered that youth in foster care have difficulties adjusting to personal independence. There is momentum in the childcare field to extend services to insure an easier transition to independent living and make a positive contribution to society.
The Children’s Home operates the Successful Starts program, an evolving extended living program for residents 17 through 21 years of age. The goal of the program is to reverse the negative trends of youth aged-out of foster care programs. The program focuses on independent
living, life skills, job training, employment preparation, and workforce experience. This includes career guidance, career orientation, and exploration of job opportunities. The program also includes preparing for higher education opportunities.
Residents in this program have access to all the amenities on campus including the gymnasium, athletic fields, dining hall, computer lab, and swimming pool. Cottages used for the program are equipped with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.
Since 1863, The Children’s Home has been building a legacy of service and care – creating programs and therapies that recognize the challenges presented to each individual. These efforts provide our residents and clients with the opportunities that are found in our motto: Living, Building, Working, Achieving.