Pro Kids and Families is a joint effort between Berea Children's Home and Family Services and the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. This program provides services to youth who have been charged with a status offense such as unruly, truancy, incorrigible, and curfew. These children have also been diverted from official proceedings through the Juvenile Court intake process. Children and families are offered a four-month, community based, case management program. Together, the family and case manager develop and individualized plan of action to improve the child's behavior.
History
In 1864, the German Methodist Episcopal Church founded the German Methodist Orphan Asylum to shelter Civil War orphans. It was later called Berea Children's Home. For 100 years, the home was dedicated to caring for neglected, dependent, or abandoned children. 1959, the Child Welfare League of American completed an agency-initiated study, and the home changed its focus to serve youth who need specialized therapeutic programs. The aim became the preservation of family relationships and creation of a sense of continuity and security for the child. Now, Berea Children's Home and Family Services addresses mental health and developmental needs of infants, children, youth, adults, and families in the community and on its Berea site. Its three operating components are Out of Home Care, Community Services, and the Family Life Center, which all strive to preserve family relationship, help make children and families self-sufficient, and reduce clients' need for future social service or court interventions.Key Elements
- Individualized youth and family assessment
- Services conveniently delivered directly to the youth and family in their own home and community
- School visits to monitor attendance and performance
- Family activities
- Anger management and skill building groups
- Referral and linkage to needed community supports, services, and treatment
- Direct linkage to Berea Children's Home and Family Services mental health services
Staffing Needs
Enough staff so that their case load maintains a 32-40 client range is preferable, based on the level of service Juvenile courts is willing to fund. Currently, there is 5 staff to work the West half of the county, and 7 staff to work the East half of the county.Outcomes
In 2005, Pro Kids and Families closed 1,614 cases. 64% were completely successful, in that they met all their goals and did not incur further charges. 19% were neutral, meaning they did not incur any additional charges, but were closed before all their goals were met for various reasons. 18% were closed unsuccessful. Of this 18%, 6% did not meet all of their goals, and 10% recidivated. The remaining 1% was referred for more intensive court services.Areas of Improvement
The biggest challenge is working within the confines of the current contract, since many great services have been cut out, due to funding. These services are anger management groups, teen topic groups, college tours for the truant population, and prison tours for youth who believe that prison is glamorous or "vacation-like," a program that parents especially liked.Contact Information
Jill Tayfel, PCC-S, Assistant Director of Community Services2121 East 32nd Street
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 440-260-8417
Fax: 440-260-8476
Email: jtayfel@bchfs.org
Pro Kids & Families
Website: www.bchfs.org