Admissions / FAQ
What are the ages of children eligible for your program?
10-18 yrs
What are some of the criteria for acceptance into the program?
- Mild to moderate emotional or behavioral problems.
- Child must be alcohol and substance-abuse free at time of entry.
- Must be able to attend public school.
Where do the children come from?
- Our youth come from a myriad of troubled backgrounds. Abuse, neglect, abandonment, discipline problems, and trouble with school are among them.
- All families are in various stages of crisis.
- Our youths are primarily from Jefferson and Shelby counties, but we serve the entire state of Alabama.
- We have both privately placed individuals as well as those placed by the Dept. of Human Resources.
How long do the children stay?
The average length of stay is 18-24 months.
Where do they attend school?
Shelby County Public Schools.
How many homes do you have?
There are 4 boys’ group homes and 3 girls’ group homes, as well as transitional-living facilities for both.
How many youth are in each home?
No more than 8 youth per home.
What is the adult supervision in the homes?
Each home has a full-time (24-hr) live-in married couple.
Where do you get your money?
- 48% of our funding comes from private sources: individuals, foundations, corporations, churches.
- 22% from America’s Thrift Stores
- 30% from monthly disbursements provided by the state of Alabama for individual children referred by DHR.
Do you charge for your services?
Yes, but there are no set fees. A sliding-scale based on income is used for families who are not referred by the state.
What are some of the services you provide?
- Counseling (Individual, Family, Group)
- Parent Training
- Tutoring
- Teaching Social, Academic and Basic Living Skills
- College and/or Career Planning
