Transitional Services
BRIDGES
BRIDGES is a three phase transitional living program for adolescents aged 16 – 21 who have no safe living environment with family or relatives available to them. Phase 1 is at the residential center and teaches youth the basic skills to succeed in life. Phase 2 youth live in their own apartments with an on grounds monitor and put into practice those skills that they have learned. Phase 3 youth live on their own and use BRIDGES staff as a resource when crises arise. This program is offered at two sites away from the residential center. The program provides such youth with living accommodations and services geared to help them develop the skill and knowledge necessary to live independently. A youth may receive assistance for up to two years. Click here to learn more.
Additional services include:
- Nurse on call
- Case Management
- Educational and Employment Assistance
- Classroom education for life skills, job readiness/interview training and household budgeting.
- Drug and alcohol assessment
- Crisis counseling
- Referral services
For more information call (316) 681-8164.
Street Outreach Services (SOS)
The Street Outreach program is an exciting new approach to children’s services, designed to take services directly to runaway and homeless youth on the streets and at community locations such as recreation centers, shopping malls, and schools. Annually at least 1,600 youth are reported as runaways in Sedgwick County. Many more were probably never reported. Outreach counselors’ work from vans stocked with snacks, coats, first aid kits, and referral information, operating on scheduled routes in Wichita after school hours and on weekends. The most important aspect of this project is that it provides children with a “friendly link” to a comprehensive array of services, such as counseling, shelter, and runaway programs. Often children feel more comfortable talking to other kids about their troubles and concerns; therefore, trained peer counselors are teamed with adult counselors on the van. This is an essential component of providing children access to services without the fear of having to approach an adult. Teen age peer counselors, trained by SOS, provide referral services to youth at Wichita High Schools. Street Outreach staff makes numerous presentations to students about danger and violence prevention.
Street Outreach also operates a program called Project Safe Place. This cooperative effort between QuikTrip and the Children’s Home is aimed at serving children and their families who are in crisis. It provides 24-hour access to counselors through a hotline (262-HOME) and area QuikTrips serve as a safe place for children who are in danger or want someone to talk to during a time of need. QuikTrip personnel are trained to help children in crisis feel comfortable until an outreach counselor arrives to assist the child. YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs and the City of Wichita (locations include: the transit bus system, the fire stations, libraries, police substations, City Health Department and the Park and Recreations buildings) also serve as Safe Place sites. Street Outreach works closely with Teen Heartline, Kansas Children’s Service League, USD 259, Wichita Police Department, and Regional Prevention Center. Click here to learn more.
For further information, please contact the Street Outreach Coordinator at the Wichita Children’s Home.
Child Access Services
Our Child Access program serves non-residential parents whose visits with their children must be supervised according to a court order. Visits take place on the Wichita Children’s Home grounds, utilizing our visitation rooms, and are observed in their entirety by trained supervisors. The program is partially funded through the offices of the Kansas Attorney General and the Governor. Parents whose visits do not require supervision may utilize the Home as a safe, neutral location for exchanging their children. A record is kept of such exchanges, and a monthly fee is charged. A security person is on site during visits and exchanges. Click here to learn more.
Families KAN Project
This program allows children with non-abuse/non neglect issues to remain in the home while tapping into needed services. Case managers coordinate referrals to community resources and agencies for drug/alcohol, mental health and family support services. The family must have children in their custody, living in the home, under the age of 18.
Residential services may be available for short-term placement, planned and emergency respite placement, kinship care.Click here to learn more.
Adolescent Safety and Prevention (ASAP) Project
The Adolescent Safety and Prevention (ASAP) Project, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is a collaborative demonstration project designed to reduce the incidence of dating violence among runaway and homeless youth in Wichita/Sedgwick County, Kansas. The project is a collaboration of four organizations: Wichita Children’s Home, the local runaway and homeless youth (RHY) provider; Wichita Child Guidance Center, a mental health provider; Catholic Charities Harbor House, a domestic violence shelter; and, the Wichita area Sexual Assault Center, an advocacy and services program for victims. Click here to learn more.
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