Orchards Childrens Services Inc

Placement services - kinship, foster care, and independent living - we served over 900 individuals including over 300 uniquely identified youth and 600 caregivers over the last year in our foster care programs, which are designed for children that cannot remain in their own homes due to abuse and neglect that has occurred in their homes. Independent living is part of our foster care program and is specifically designed to assist youth with finding them an appropriate home provider to live with and learn skills to move into adulthood.adoption - we served 104 children and facilitated 42 completed adoptions. We have a consultative services agreement under contract with michigan dhhs (adoption resource consultants) to expedite adoptions in process statewide as well as parc services to support families after an adoption is finalized.

Clinical services - the outpatient behavior health clinic specializes in providing comprehensive evidence-based mental health services to children, adolescents and adults in the child welfare system as well as individuals in the community. The clinic opened 229 client cases which resulted in 2,357 completed therapy sessions. The trauma assessment program serves as a critical resource for assessing the complex needs of children involved in foster care and child protective services. 147 comprehensive trauma assessment reports were completed through this program.

Education services - orchards primary program in this area is our parentchild+ program that serves children 16 months to 4 years. The program is a home visiting literacy program trained by the national institute in new york. The program is evidenced based as we visit families twice a week teaching parents to use educational toys and books to be their child's first teacher. The program is designed to prepare children for success when they begin head start and eventually kindergarten as research has shown that children that begin school far behind never catch up. The orchards believes in the mantra that education is important from cradle to college. Thus, beyond k-12, the orchards promise and sachs scholarship provides scholarship funding for orchards client-scholars who receive full tuition and housing while attending a michigan university. These scholars also receive additional support for emotional and health challenges. Orchards provided scholarships to 7 youth this year, with 4 new students starting their secondary education in the fall. Orchards community based programming attempts to assist the children and communities we service by holding events that make childhood memorable. These events include camping at selected day camps and an annual bike day. This recreational programming is under the umbrella of "summer adventures" which includes summer camp opportunities for 130 clients as well as the bike giveaway where a total of 150 bikes, skateboards and scooters were provided along with safety gear, sporting equipment, books and blankets. In late summer, orchards includes important community initiatives and educational support to children k-12 with back to school opportunities which include providing back packs, clothing and school supplies to over 950 youth. In the fall, we host a halloween party for children and community members. At holiday time, we give away over 450 holiday food baskets for thanksgiving and during december, we have a toy drive and over 1,100 children receive gifts for the holidays. In addition, we also invited community members to adopt 79 families as they shop to make those families have the most memorable holidays ever. We also partner with community agencies and provide toys to an additional 396 children. Also, during december, an additional 35 families received food baskets. Orchards clothing corner provides needed clothing to children entering the foster care system, as well as the guardianship program and family preservation support. Orchards partners with gesher human services to provide employment opportunities in the clothing corner for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additional basic needs are provided via furniture acquisition and delivery to over 100 households annually. This includes beds, sofas, appliances, dressers, dining tables etc.