Vision
Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility is a non-profit 501 c (3) corporation operating a Temporary Shelter Care Facility. We provide 24-hour, Culturally Relevant, Age and Developmentally Appropriate Services to children 12-18 years old who have a history of special interventional and therapeutic needs resulting from abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), as well as Law Enforcement- or Family Services-impacted youth and families.
The vision for our program is to provide a home like setting for youth who are waiting for the most appropriate, less restrictive placement. Each site has a capacity of six youth with a 2:1 staff ratio.
We see our organization as part of a continuum of care, a place where youth will receive integrated and coordinated services, which help them successfully transition into the community.
Mission
The mission of Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility is to provide a safe, warm, culturally competent, and homelike environment with the highest level of support and empathy for all children in our care. Our trauma-informed and evidence-based practices help the youth we serve to achieve a feeling of self-worth, an appreciation of community, and a respect for culture, family, and each other. Through our person-served-directed care, collaborative decision-making, a homelike atmosphere, consistent and caring relationships, and staff empowerment, our staff work to improve the functioning and well-being of our youths. Utilizing approaches such as Seeking Safety and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, our staff provides effective services to help youths improve their functioning.
Purpose
The purpose of our program is to improve safety outcomes for at-risk children using all the tools, practices, and community resources available to us. In addition, we hope to aid our youth with successful placement transition and community integration.
Goals
The goal of our Temporary Shelter Care Facility program is to provide a safe, home like setting for youths that are in transition to their least restrictive placement. The shelter will provide temporary shelter care only for the duration necessary to enable a county placing agency to perform required assessments and place a child appropriately. Some of the goals of the program are:
- Fostering a home-like setting
- Increase safety by having only 6 youth at the facility at one time.
- Helping youth create and connect with a personal support network
- Maintain Mental Health services
Philosophies
Dimondale has a philosophy of self-directed, professional adult-advised care. This means that persons served are best equipped to know his, her, or their own needs. Still, as children and young adults, they require the guidance and support of a personal support network of adults and peers to formulate their goals and dreams and aid in the pursuit of positive life outcomes. Dimondale believes in giving youth voice and choice while in placement.
Methods
Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility is dedicated to person-centered, age and developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and trauma-informed services delivery. The program provides individualized care and treatment sensitive to youths’ unique and specific needs. The program will have a maximum capacity of six residents at each of our locations (we will have two community-based locations).