Is Children’s Home an orphanage?

No. From time to time over the last 130 years, there were orphans living at Children’s Home, and sometimes these children were adopted. However, this has never been the primary purpose of our agency. Today, Children’s Home is a specialized institution, providing professional help to families and their children. 
 

Where do the children who live there come from? 

Most of the children living at Children’s Home are referred by a state agency. First priority is given to children from Central Illinois, though some children come from across the state. Most children are referred by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Illinois Department of Corrections, or an area school district or special education association. The children and families involved in Children’s Home community-based programs are from Woodford, Tazewell or Peoria County.

Why are the children there?

The children come to live at Children’s Home to receive treatment for severe emotional and/or behavioral problems. Many of the children have problems as a result of having been abused physically, sexually and/or emotionally. 

What does “behavior problem or behavior disorder” mean?

It is a technical phrase describing actions that are out of step with acceptable social standards. These behaviors create more problems and difficulties than they solve. Most of the time these behaviors are symptoms of some underlying distress. Examples of such behaviors are self abuse, destruction of property, and hurting others. 

How long do the children stay at Children’s Home? How long do you work with families?

The children in our residential programs live at Children’s Home for an average of twelve months. The students at Kiefer School generally attend classes for two years, which includes two summer sessions. In the community-based programs, the length of time a child or family is involved with Children’s Home varies greatly depending on the problems they have. 

Where do the children go to school?

The children go to school in District #150 classrooms at Children’s Home. The kids living at Children’s Home do not generally go to school at Kiefer School, the agency run private school. Most Kiefer students live with their parents and come to Kiefer after a referral is made by their hometown school district. 

How old are the children there?

Our agency works with children of all ages, 0-21.

How many children really live there?

Roughly 100 children live in our residential treatment facilities and over 100 live in our foster homes. 

How many other children are served by the agency?

Each year about 2,100 children and families are served by Children’s Home. 

Where do the children go when they leave?

The children in residential programs generally leave Children’s Home and return to their own home, a foster home or independent adult living. Students at Kiefer School live with their families while they attend classes and attend classes in their home school districts after leaving Kiefer. 

Have the children been abused?

Yes, many of our kids have been abused.

Do the children have physical handicaps?

Most of the children we work with do not. Some may have vision or hearing problems while others may have delays in physical growth or development.
 

Do you work with retarded children?

Possibly. Most of the children we serve are having difficulties emotionally, behaviorally, and socially. Some of the residential programs require a minimum IQ, but from time to time, agency programs may serve developmentally disabled youth. 
 

What about the parents of the children you serve?

The agency is dedicated to family-focused work. Some parents may have overwhelming problems to deal with which have hindered their ability to be an effective parent. So we work with them and with other organizations to help them help themselves. We have found that most families are open to examining the way they operate, and to suggestions and guidance for making positive changes
 

Do you adopt children out of Children’s Home?

Some of our children in foster care are adopted after termination of parental rights has occurred. Our foster care program is contracted with the Department of Children and Family Services to provide this service. Although we are new to the adoption arena, the number of children adopted by our foster families has increased over the past few years and we are working to increase these numbers even more. 

Do you have a place for homeless children to live?

No we do not. The live-in programs for kids we operate are treatment focused for children having very serious emotional and behavioral programs. However, Children’s Home is working as part of a team with over forty community agencies to provide services to Peoria County homeless youth. It is the goal of everyone involved in the development and provision of these services that the community-based alternatives provided through this program will reduce the number of homeless youth in Peoria, and provide them with the necessary shelter and support to transition to healthy, independent living situations.  
 

Do the programs work? How successful are you?

Based on our most recent studies, we are successful with 85% of the children and families with whom we work. That number is based on a broad range of objective measures that includes tests given to the youngsters as they enter programs and then again as they leave. The tests are given on the child’s behavioral goals which are mutually established between the referring agency and Children’s Home.

Where does Children’s Home get the money for these programs?

That’s a good question. Most all of the programs are offered to children and their families free of charge. Approximately 95% of the Children’s Home operating budget comes from fee-for-service contracts, earned revenues, and grants with various organizations and state agencies here in Illinois. That includes the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Corrections, Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education, Ounce of Prevention Foundation, area school districts, and fees paid by families and third party payments. The remaining 5% of operating expenses are derived from private donations. 

Do you use volunteers?

Yes we do. Each year over 100 persons volunteer to help Children’s Home in a variety of capacities. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer Streitmatter, Human Resources Director, at 309-687-7211. 

Could I put my child there?

The children here have very specific problems they need to work out. Many times families find that the range of services Children’s Home offers allows them to work on difficulties without the child leaving their own home. We reserve the right to determine what type of help a child needs. Roughly 250 or more children are referred to our live-in programs each year.