UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME

THE UMCH FAMILY SERVICES FOSTER TEAM SPECIALIZES IN TREATMENT FOSTER CARE. WHEN USED TO DESCRIBE FOSTER CARE, THE WORD "TREATMENT" REFERS TO AN ADVANCED LEVEL OF THERAPEUTIC ASSISTANCE FOR THE CHILD IN CARE. OUR TREATMENT FOSTER FAMILIES OFFER SAFE, NURTURING HOME ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO PRACTICE NEW OR REDISCOVERED SKILLS WHEN THEY ARE NOT READY OR ABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES OF ORIGIN. TREATMENT FOSTER FAMILIES RECEIVE ONGOING TRAINING FROM UMCH BEYOND THAT REQUIRED FOR TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE. TREATMENT FAMILIES BECOME A SKILLED, INTEGRAL PART OF THE UMCH MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM, WORKING CLOSELY WITH AND RECEIVE 24/7 SUPPORT FROM CASE MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS, THERAPISTS AND OTHERS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD. WE ARE UNIQUE IN THAT OUR AGENCY PROVIDES ALL TREATMENT TEAM SERVICES WITHIN THE AGENCY ITSELF FROM PSYCHIATRIST, PSYCHOLOGIST AND NURSE TO TREATMENT COORDINATOR AND SUPERVISOR. OUR TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM IS GOAL-ORIENTED, TIME-LIMITED AND FAMILY-CENTERED. WE RECOMMEND HOMES FOR LICENSURE, REGULARLY INTERACT WITH OUR FOSTER FAMILIES AND OPERATE WITH A LOW FOSTER HOME TO CASE MANAGER RATIO, WHICH ALLOWS FOR INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE FOR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT REQUIRE A TREATMENT-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT. 118 CLIENTS SERVED IN 2024.

UMCH FAMILY SERVICES FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING THE CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH COUNSELING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TREATMENT TEAM IS COMPRISED OF MASTERS-LEVEL CLINICIANS, LICENSED COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC SUPPORT PROVIDERS, REGISTERED NURSES, AND MEDICATION PRESCRIBERS, INCLUDING CLINICAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PSYCHIATRISTS. OUR OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM USES THE NEWEST EVIDENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE-INFORMED PRACTICES. WE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, AS WELL AS PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS AND PEDIATRICIANS TO BRING A DYNAMIC, COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO OUR PROCESS. TREATMENT IS INDIVIDUALIZED AND UNIQUE FOR EVERY CHILD. OUTPATIENT SERVICES PROVIDED FOR 603 CLIENTS IN 2024. PSYCHIATRY IS A CRITICAL SERVICE IN OUR OUTPATIENT PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY IF MEDICATION CAN HELP ADDRESS A CHILD'S PROBLEMS. PSYCHIATRIC PROVIDERS ARE THE MEDICAL STAFF ON THE CHILD'S TEAM. PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS CAN EVALUATE A CHILD FOR THE NEED FOR FURTHER TESTING, HELP PARENTS AND CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THE ILLNESS AND PRESCRIBE MEDICATION. OFTEN MEDICATION IN CONCERT WITH PSYCHOTHERAPY OR "TALK THERAPY" IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO HELP CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IMPROVE THEIR SITUATIONS. HELPING FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THE BIOLOGICAL REASONS FOR A CHILD'S ILLNESS IS VERY HELPFUL IN MANAGING THE SYMPTOMS THEY DEAL WITH EVERY DAY. 442 CLIENTS SERVED IN 2024.