Statements
Mission
The mission of My Friend's House Family & Children Services, Inc. is to provide a structured, therapeutic, nurturing home to at-risk youth who are unable to remain in their family home by offering a safe, stable and welcoming place to address challenges, improve their behaviors and learn to make more positive choices.
Background
In 1982, Williamson County Youth, Inc. became an unincorporated 501 (c) (3) non-profit providing therapeutic services to at-risk children. Beginning in 1988 and for the next ten (10) years, the agency evolved into an emergency shelter/boys group home and by moving to a larger facility doubled the occupancy. In 1988, under a new name MY FRIEND'S HOUSE FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES, Inc., the agency became a licensed residential group home and treatment program focused on reuniting youth with their families. When re-unification was not an option, My Friend's House worked toward transitional living, foster homes or relative home placements. The goal is to provide a structured, therapeutic environment which provides stability and encourages positive behavior change. Over the past fifteen (15) years, My Friend's House has provided hundreds of at-risk youth with a safe and nurturing place to live when they could not live at home. It has met the immediate crisis needs of at-risk youth who were subjected to dependent neglect, who became unruly and were unable to remain at home or who made poor choices resulting in juvenile justice charges. Whether under Department of Children's Services placement or private placement, each youth was welcomed, made to feel accepted and offered the counseling and support to change negative behaviors and better prepare for adulthood. Today, My Friend's House is embarking on new challenges, utilizing its broad-based community support, years of experience with at-risk youth and its commitment toward preventative approaches to impact the immediate needs or youth in crisis and strive to avoid more restrictive, longer-term custody. Following the success of our EVENING DIVERSION PROGRAM, in which Williamson County high school youth can receive intensive thirty (30) day alcohol and drug education to redirect youth away from substance abuse, My Friend's House is assessing redirection options in which to better utilize its resources, impact the current needs of our at-risk youth and diversify its model or meet unmet needs. DISTINCTIVE ASPECT OF PROGRAM 1. MFH is the only therapeutic residential group home for at-risk youth in Williamson County. 2. It received national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation in 2010 through 2014. 3. The Evening Diversion Program (EDP) is unique and not replicated. The model utilizes peer mentoring, reality orientation and straight-forward facts that exposes substance abuse for what it is - a negative way of life that impacts future success. 4. My Friend's House enjoys broad-based community support, strong liaison with Williamson County youth-focused programs and the approval and support of the Williamson County Juvenile Courts and Services.
Impact
Since June 2014 we have implemented the following program enhancements: 1. A comprehensive Summer Activities Program offering meaningful daily activities focused on building character, developing interests, using strengths and skills or each resident, and re-enforcing positive community integration through community services, recreation, the arts and education, sue of community resources and the development of self-reliance and independent living skills. 2. An Educational Supports Program designed to improve study habits, enhance grades through homework/project supports, improved regular communication with schools and targeted subject-specific core concepts individualized tutoring throughout the year. 3. MFH offers on-line credit recovery through BYU and encourages residents to participate in school extracurricular activities. The Educational Support Coordinator, a licensed educator, serves as liaison to all schools, coordinates tutors and maintains an on-site learning lab for use of each resident. Grades and attitudes toward school are markedly improved. 4. Cost-containment measures with reallocation of limited fiscal/manpower resources to prioritize residential, counseling/therapy and individualized resident support goals. We have implemented an upgraded accounting software, worked to improve internal operating efficiencies and have begun an internal strategic planning process utilizing stakeholder focus groups to ensure the following goals:
Needs
1. Operating Funds: It takes around $196 per day to meet the regulation and everyday needs of each youth at our 24/7 direct care facility. Currently, only 50% of our budget comes through payments from the Department of Children's Services system. Because the payment to care for these vulnerable youth is less than the actual cost to care for each child, My Friend's House continues to be dependent upon local financial support in order to provide the best quality daily care to residents. Operating funds for MFH can come through a variety of sources. Including, greater corporate/private sponsorships funding for our major annual fundraiser, the Mardi Gras, increased individual, civic, community or church groups gifts. 2. Technology Upgrade: My Friend's House is currently using older computers and a network that needs expanded. To serve more efficiently MFH needs to obtain newer IT equipment. To provide the necessary safety needs for this type of residential facility an expanded and improved security and monitoring systems is also needed. 3.Web-site and other online platform redesign. A new and improved web-site platform, and better use of database and social media marketing will help us with improving awareness and funding campaigns. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:'Table Normal'; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:''; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
Board Chair Statement
In every life there are challenges that have the potential of shaping the direction that life may take. Too often, there are challenges which do not result in stronger character or positive life lessons but become barriers to growth, impact personal safety and diminish the potential that exists in every person. The challenges that confront at-risk youth due to dysfunctional home environments, the lack of parental direction, and the incapacity of adults to provide appropriate role models or the ravages of substance abuse in the home go beyond being expensive and leave impressionable youth traumatized and damaged emotionally. The curiosity and innocence of youth is turned to anger, confusion and despair leaving the child feeling deserted, unsafe and without hope. Their identity is lost and defenses take the place of care-free childhood experiences. My Friend's House, through both its residential group care and Evening Diversion Programs, becomes a safe place for at-risk youth to regain their self-worth and value, develop a stronger resolve to succeed and leave to make good choices. Much has been lost but much can be gained once we recognize that our youth should not be disposable and that in each troubled heart and mind exits the promise of a bright and fulfilling future. Together, we must become positive influences and caring partners to make those futures a reality.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Human Services - Children's and Youth Services |
| Secondary Category: | Human Services - Children's and Youth Services |
| Tertiary Category: | Human Services - Family Services (Adolescent Parents) |
Areas Served
My Friend's House places primary priority on serving the at-risk youth of Williamson County. However, as sub-contracting community providers, the agency is often called upon to serve at-risk youth in need of Level II Group Residential Services from across Middle Tennessee.
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Giles |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Humphreys |
| TN - Lewis |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Wilson |
