 The Children's Village provides
a unique alternative model for children in foster care.
- A home-like, non-institutional
setting: Emphasis is placed on providing an atmosphere of regular
family life while
avoiding any semblance of an institutional culture.
- On-site, full-time, Village Parents: Parents receive
training for the job. It is their responsibility to rear, nurture
and care for the children, meeting individual and family needs.
- Associate Parents: Associate Parents rotate among
all homes to provide relief and assistance when needed and maintain
adequate child-adult ratios.
- Village Grandparents: Elders, who live on site,
provide the inter-generational component to the Children’s
Village model. As Village grandparents they are available to read
and play,
share any special skills, provide parents with support, and serve
as mentors when needed.
- On-site case management: Addressing children’s
emotional health is an important component of Village life. Upon
children’s
entry and throughout their placement, the clinical social workers
assess the needs of each child, and individual case-management plans
are implemented. Services include case management and counseling
for such issues as abandonment, lack of attachment, abuse or neglect.
- Educational support: An educational coordinator
on staff addresses children’s educational needs in collaboration
with their schools. On-site educational opportunities such as after-school
tutoring are provided.
- Social and recreational activities: An activity
director on staff provides a variety of appropriate after-school
and
weekend activities. Community volunteers are utilized to teach and
direct meaningful and fun activities such as art, music, sports,
gardening
and cooking.
- Parent education and support: This unique and critical
service is provided on an ongoing and comprehensive basis at the
Village.
There are weekly meetings with Village Parents and the clinical staff
as well as regular training and support groups for all Village staff
and volunteers.
- Community involvement: The Children’s
Village is an integral part of the community at large.
Village children will participate in community youth activities
and children
from the community are allowed to participate in Village activities.
- Vocational and independent living skills: From
an early age, children will be encouraged to participate in the “work”
of the Village and of their family home. Older children will participate
in an independent living skills program to prepare them for adulthood.
The intention is to provide a transition program for children, preparing
them for their final move away from the
 protective arms of the Village.
One of the innovative components of
The Children’s
Village model is the presence of Village Grandparents
who live on-site and provide the “grandparenting” that
make children feel nurtured and loved.
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