Epworth Children & Family Services Inc

EMPOWERING YOUTH TO REALIZE THEIR UNIQUE POTENTIAL BY MEETING ESSENTIAL NEEDS, CULTIVATING RESILIENCY, AND BUILDING COMMUNITY.

EPWORTH RESIDENTIAL SERVICESEPWORTH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDES A HIGHLY TRAINED, DEDICATED 24-HOUR TEAM OF YOUTH ADVISORS, LICENSED THERAPISTS, RECREATIONAL COORDINATORS, CASE MANAGERS, AND NURSING PROFESSIONALS OFFERING A STABLE, STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH YOUTH AGES 11 THROUGH 18 CAN GROW SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND INTELLECTUALLY. SITUATED ON A BEAUTIFUL 7-ACRE CAMPUS IN WEBSTER GROVES, MO, YOUTH ENROLLED IN THIS LIVE-IN PROGRAM TAKE PART IN WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY TO ADDRESS CORE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES; RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND VITAL LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION; PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONAL AND TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES; AND MAINTAIN ENROLLMENT IN (SEE SCHEDULE O) THEIR CURRENT SCHOOLS OR ARE ENROLLED IN THE WEBSTER GROVES SCHOOL DISTRICT, WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND OFFICIALS PROVIDING EXTRA SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE AS NEEDED.REFERRALS TO EPWORTH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES COME PRIMARILY FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI. HOWEVER, EPWORTH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ACCEPTS YOUTH FROM OTHER STATE FOSTER CARE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS SELF-PAY AND PRIVATE INSURANCE FOR AT-RISK YOUTH WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES PROVIDED.

EPWORTH CHAFEE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS TO ADULTHOODEPWORTH CHAFEE PROGRAM WORKS WITH FORMER AND CURRENT FOSTER YOUTH AGES 14 THROUGH 22 WHO RESIDE IN ST. LOUIS CITY OR COUNTY. AS YOUTH PREPARE FOR INDEPENDENCE AND ADULTHOOD, SERVICE COORDINATORS PROVIDE THE SUPPORT, MOTIVATION, AND KNOWLEDGE YOUTH NEED TO SUCCEED FOR YEARS TO COME. THROUGH THE EPWORTH CHAFEE PROGRAM, FOSTER YOUTH ATTEND CLASSES RELATED TO ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS, RESUM BUILDING, FINANCIAL COMPETENCY, AND RECEIVE AID IN OBTAINING DOCUMENTS SUCH AS BIRTH CERTIFICATES, SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS, WORK PERMITS, AND STATE-ISSUED IDS TO BE FULLY EQUIPPED FOR AN INDEPENDENT ADULT LIFE.EPWORTH STREET OUTREACH SERVICESEPWORTH STREET OUTREACH SERVICES MOBILIZES A TEAM OF TRAUMA-AWARE TEAM MEMBERS WHO REACH OUT WITH COMPASSION TO HOMELESS YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY, ENGAGING THEM WHERE THEY ARE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. A REGULAR PART OF THEIR DAILY OUTREACH, THE MOBILE TEAM PROVIDES VALUABLE GOODS AND CRITICAL RESOURCES TO THOSE THEY ENCOUNTER, INCLUDING, HYGIENE KITS, READY-TO-EAT FOOD ITEMS, SAFER SEX PRODUCTS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND INFORMATION ON SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT NOT ALL YOUTH WILL HAVE THE MEANS OR FEEL ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE VISITING THE EPWORTH DROP-IN CENTER, THE TEAM BRINGS THOSE SERVICES TO THE YOUTH.EPWORTH YOUTH EMERGENCY SHELTEREPWORTH YOUTH EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDES A DEDICATED 24-HOUR TEAM OF YOUTH ADVISORS AND MASTER-LEVEL THERAPISTS OFFERING SECURE, TEMPORARY HOUSING TO HOMELESS AND AT-RISK YOUTH AGES 11 THROUGH 20, INCLUDING PREGNANT YOUTH UP TO 26 WEEKS INTO THEIR PREGNANCY. SITUATED ON ABEAUTIFUL 7-ACRE CAMPUS IN WEBSTER GROVES, MO, YOUTH RESIDING IN THE SHELTER CAN TAKE PART IN WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOUSING INSTABILITY; RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND VITAL LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE WITH EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES; AND PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONAL AND TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITIES. ALL THIS IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE YOUTH OR THEIR FAMILIES.EPWORTH FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORKEPWORTH FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK PROVIDES COUNSELING SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN ST. LOUIS CITY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, OR ST. CHARLES COUNTY WITH A CHILD UP TO THE AGE OF 13 AND NO OPEN ORSUBSTANTIATED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT. ADDITIONALLY, ST. LOUIS FAMILIES WITH A CHILD UP TO 18 YEARS OF AGE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES IF THE CHILD OR PARENT HAVE A QUALIFYING INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY. THE GOAL OF EPWORTH FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK ISTO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES BEFORE SERIOUS ISSUES ARISE WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT. THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY THERAPY AND PROFESSIONAL PARENTING EDUCATION, FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES CAN FIND SUPPORT AND LEARN EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR ONGOING FAMILY LIFE. FAMILY THERAPY SESSIONS ARE HELD ONCE A WEEK FOR ONE HOUR EITHER WITHIN THE FAMILY'S HOME, COMMUNITY SETTING, OR VIRTUALLY, WITH TOTAL SERVICES LASTING AN AVERAGE OF NINE MONTHS, DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY. EPWORTH PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICESEPWORTH PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES IS DEDICATED TO OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE TESTING AND EVALUATIONS BY TRAINED PSYCHOLOGISTS IN A COMMUNITY SETTING FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS AGES 3 AND ABOVE. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE TESTING FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES AND ADHD, PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS, TESTING FOR PSYCHO-SEXUAL CONCERNS AS WELL AS RISK AND TRAUMA ASSESSMENTS. CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ACCESSING SERVICES AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS RECOMMENDED AS PART OF THE ONGOING TREATMENT PLAN. THERAPY MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED THROUGH EPWORTH FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK BASED UPON THERAPIST AVAILABILITY AND FUNDING SOURCES.

EPWORTH FOSTER CAREEPWORTH FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS A PART OF A THREE-AGENCY COLLABORATION CALLED CHILDREN'S PERMANENCY PARTNERSHIP (CPP). WITH EPWORTH AND CPP'S COMBINED DEDICATION, EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES, FOSTER YOUTH AGES BIRTH THROUGH 20 ARE MATCHED WITH FAMILIES BEST ABLE TO PROVIDE A SAFE, STABLE HOME AND MEET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS AS THEY SEEK TO DEVELOP TRUST, A SENSE OF BELONGING, AND LIFELONG SKILLS LEADING TO INDEPENDENCE AND PERSONAL STRENGTH.REFERRALS TO EPWORTH FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COME DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE OF MISSOURI FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ABUSE(SEE SCHEDULE O)AND/OR NEGLECT. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE FOSTER YOUTH WITH PERMANENT HOMES, EITHER THROUGH REUNIFICATION WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WHEN POSSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE, OR ADOPTION BY INDIVIDUALS OR COUPLES WHO HAVE MADE THE LIFE-GIVING DECISION TO OPEN THEIR HOMES AND HEARTS TO A FOSTER YOUTH. EPWORTH THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PLACING FOSTER YOUTH AGES BIRTH THROUGH 20 WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND COMPLEX TRAUMA INTO SAFE, LOVING HOMES WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED FOSTER PARENTS. WITH AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT FROM EPWORTH CASE MANAGERS AND THERAPISTS, FOSTER PARENTS IN THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF SERVICE AND CARE THAT EXCEEDS TRADITIONAL FOSTER HOMES AND HELP YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM BEGIN TO HEAL, GROW, AND THRIVE AT THEIR OWN PACE. REFERRALS TO EPWORTH THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE PROGRAM COME PRIMARILY FROM WITHIN THE THREE AGENCIES THAT MAKE UP THE CHILDREN'S PERMANENCY PARTNERSHIP. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO FAMILIES OF ALL SIZES AND YOUTH OF ALL AGES. BOTH FOSTER YOUTH AND PARENTS RECEIVE EXTENSIVE SUPPORT AS EPWORTH CASE MANAGERS VISIT THERAPEUTIC FOSTER HOMES ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND REMAIN AVAILABLE 24/7.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSINGEPWORTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM - INDEPENDENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18 THROUGH 23 IN LOCATING AND OBTAINING INDIVIDUAL APARTMENTS THROUGHOUT ST. LOUIS COMMUNITIES. WITH CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FROM SPECIALLY TRAINED EPWORTH COLLEAGUES, YOUTH ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM ARE PLACED INTO SAFE, STABLE LIVING SITUATIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE WISE EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND FINANCIAL DECISIONS OF THEIR OWN ACCORD. YOUNG ADULTS IN THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM - INDEPENDENT RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING IN ORDER TO HONE DAILY LIVING SKILLS SUCH AS PRACTICAL BUDGETING, NUTRITIONAL COOKING, GROCERY SHOPPING, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND MORE. (SEE SCHEDULE O)YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNABLE TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE FAMILY OR COMMUNITY PLACEMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. YOUTH MUST EXHIBIT THE ABILITY TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE PERSONAL DECISIONS WITH LIMITED ADULT SUPERVISION AND BE WILLING TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND/OR PURSUE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DURATION THEY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.REFERRALS TO EPWORTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM - INDEPENDENT ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA ABOVE. THE PROGRAM CAN ACCOMODATE UP TO 70 CLIENTS WITH APARTMENTS LEASED IN EPWORTH'S NAME THROUGHOUT ST. LOUIS CITY AND COUNTY. EPWORTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM - SUPERVISED PROVIDES STRUCTURED HOUSING TO TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 17 THROUGH 19 WHO MAY OTHERWISE REMAIN IN SITUATIONS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR HOMELESSNESS, WITH HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ON SITE 24/7 AND CASE MANAGEMENT, YOUTH ADMITTED INTO THE PROGRAM ARE GIVEN VITAL LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION, PARENTING AND FAMILY SKILLS EDUCATION, AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WHILE LIVING IN SAFE, STABLE HOUSING IN WHICH THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO INCREASE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BUILD COMMUNITY. TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNABLE TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE FAMILY OR COMMUNITY PLACEMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM. YOUTH MUST EXHIBIT THE ABILITY TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE PERSONAL DECISIONS, INTERACT WELL WITH OTHERS, INTERACT CONSISTENTLY WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER, AND BE WILLING TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND/OR PURSUE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DURATION THEY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE PROGRAM. REFERRALS TO EPWORTH TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM - SUPERVISED ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED FOR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA ABOVE. THE PROGRAM CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 11 CLIENTS.