Randolph creates
smaller units
Randolph Children’s Home continues to create smaller living units in order to give the residential treatment program more flexibility in grouping youth and to help implement Normative Culture more effectively. Unit 5 will become two units: an 8-bed unit and a 12-bed unit.
“Having smaller primary groups fits what we want to do,” said Mark Wickerham, Residential Services director at Randolph Children’s Home. “It allows us configure more workable groups and more specific groups.”
“We believe it’s important to create living spaces to meet the needs of today’s youth who may be dually diagnosed or who may have experienced trauma,” said James Coder, CEO.
It will also help staff better implement Normative Culture, an integral part of the treatment program. Normative Culture is a way of behaving rather than a set of rules. It is based on respect, responsibility, safety and goal-directed behavior. Specifically, the smaller living units will help in the implementation of Guided Group Interaction, where youth, under the guidance of staff, take accountability for their actions and listen to the advice of peers. This is best done in small intentionally combined groups.
The renovation allowed the agency to make the units more homelike and cheerful. A storage loft was transformed into a skylight, and the living room will be bathed in natural sunlight. The living room windows offer a pleasant view of trees and fields, and you can see the agency’s horses walk by as they make their way from the barn to the pasture.
For more information on admissions, contact Ed Krieger, intake coordinator, at ekrieger@ndyfs.org or (716) 358-3636, ext. 279.
Dec. 19, 2008