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programs
Our
services and programs are tailored to the unique strengths and needs of
every
child or youth in our care. Children and
youth come to the Austin Children's Shelter through Child Protective
Services, the
Juvenile Probation Office or Austin Travis County
Integral Care.
Emergency Shelter
Austin
Children's Shelter offers a safe haven for children ages birth to 18 years old
who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment or
neglect. We provide high quality care and critical services needed to begin the
healing process, including individual and group therapy, medical, vision and
dental care, and educational assistance. Generally, children in emergency
shelter care are here for less than 90 days.
Long-Term Residential Care
Long-term
care is available for youth ages 16 and older who are still in foster care and
need placement longer than 90 days and will last as long as necessary. Therapeutic
services are offered to youth with emotional disturbances.
Transitional Living Program
Teens and young adults who choose to remain in foster care or return to
foster care learn skills necessary to make the transition to independent
living. Our staff help youth identify resources available to them. Training can include learning how to open a
checking account, rent an apartment, interview for a job, shop economically for
healthy food and more. Youth in this program
live in the long-term residential cottages and must be 16 – 21 years old and
either enrolled in school or vocational training.
Respite
Care
Respite care provides temporary,
non-routine relief for parents and legal guardians of children with emotional
or developmental
disabilities for up to 14 consecutive days and up to a total of 40 days
per calendar year. This service is
available for children who are eligible for services through Austin Travis
County Integral Care.
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how we make a difference
building
tomorrows
Education development is the foundation on
which tomorrows are built. Each child is assessed academically and our
staff coordinates any service the child may need. We also consult with
teachers or counselors about the child’s situation and academic needs,
coordinate transportation to the school of origin when possible and
provide individualized tutoring and homework assistance. ACS provides
all the supplies the children need for school, science fairs and other
special projects. Armed with the knowledge of how important early
development is to a child’s future, ACS also provides a pre-school
program for children ages three to six years of age.
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connections to emotional wellbeing
The emotional
wellbeing is paramount to healing and moving past trauma. Each child
receives emotional and behavioral assessments as well as individual and
group counseling by experienced, masters-level professionals as needed. Through therapy,
children learn to cope with depression and anger, to communicate more
effectively, build self-reliance and trust, and how to avoid future
incidents
of abuse and neglect. In addition, we provide case management and
coordination with Child Protective Services, attorneys, CASA volunteers
and other collaborative partner agencies.
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healthy kids
Many of the children
who come to the Shelter have untreated illnesses, need their
immunizations, need a dental check-up or may have other health issues.
Our medical staff provides an examination, evaluation and any necessary
treatment that a child needs as well as immunizations, nutritional
analysis and follow-up care. The children also receive dental and
visual screenings and any needed care. These medical reports go with
them to their permanent placement, providing their new caregivers the
medical information they need.
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horizons
Activities can open new worlds for some
children, help manage fear or stress, or build self-esteem. Our staff
and volunteers actively seek supervised activities that can enrich the
children’s stay while at the Shelter. With a variety of opportunities,
each child can find something they enjoy and maybe an accomplishment of which they can be proud.
- Teaching and engaging
children in games and sports
- Introducing children
to cultural events
- Encouraging self
expression through arts and crafts
- Discovery Time program
introduces youth to a variety of experiences, including career
opportunities
- Life
Skills Program prepares older children for transition to independent
living
A
Project of the Junior League of Austin
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parenting solutions
Parenting
education can be a powerful tool to help break the cycle of abuse. Teens learn about childhood development,
nutrition, positive discipline, paternal rights and parental
responsibilities. Teen mothers work
one-on-one with our early childhood educator to learn basic child care as well
as age-appropriate play to nurture and create healthy bonds.
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pathways to change
The behavior of a
child or teen will affect him or her in every aspect
of their life. Each child is different but without redirection and
training, a youth’s inability to verbalize needs or frustrations, or
make
healthy choices, can prevent them from being successful in school,
foster home
placement or as they transition into adulthood and enter the workforce.
Through trauma informed care, our staff help children discover what
triggers
certain behaviors and learn how to cope by providing training in social
skills,
conflict management, healthy decision-making and personal
responsibility. |
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s.a.f.e
An acronym for Shelter, Apparel, Food
and Environment, the SAFE program focuses on providing the basic needs
of the children to begin to feel safe and to heal. These needs include
accommodations in a homelike facility and 24-hour supervised care,
balanced meals, healthy snacks and nutritional supplements appropriate
for each age as well as clothing and personal care items that are given
to each child.
Funded
in part by LCRA Employee's United Charities. |
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