ORCHARDS CHILDRENS SERVICES INC

Programs: Family preservation - the organization served over 2,400 families across ten counties in southeastern michigan: genesee, livingston, macomb, oakland, shiawassee, wayne, monroe, lenawee, st. Clair and washtenaw where children were at risk of removal from their biological homes. Follow-up inquiries at three, six and twelve months after services concluded indicate that children in 95% of the families served were able to remain safety in their parents care.

kinship, foster care, and independent living - we cared for an average of 220 youth each day over the last year in our foster care program, which is designed for children that cannot remain in their own homes due to abuse and neglect that has occurred in their homes. We successfully recruited 78 new individuals and families to serve as foster and potential adoptive families. We monitored and supported parents' efforts to reconnect with their children and returned 40 youth to their parents' care after their parents had made substantial progress to ensure the safety of their children.

adoption - we facilitated 78 completed adoptions in our adoption department. We served over 360 children in a statewide consultative services agreement that we have with the michigan department of human services to expedite adoptions of children waiting over a year at other agencies. We delivered post adoption services to over 300 families in both wayne and oakland counties.

community programs- 2013-2014orchards has been pleased to provide community based programing which addresses our motto: all children deserve a childhood. While our contract based/state-funded programs provide the safety and stability needed to help children survive and cope, the community based programming takes these efforts a few steps forward. The volunteers, donors, foster families and adoptive parents of orchards provide a child hope, stability and love and when families are secure, individuals and communities grow stronger. Therefore, orchards has developed several strong community based programs. The summer adventures program encompasses camping - both day and overnight experiences. This is offered to all clients from july 1 - august 31. In 2014, summer adventures camp served approximately 300(client) campers. For the 2013-14 school year, the learn2learn program ran 6 programs in 4 different schools that serviced 68 students. 68% (46) of the students showed an increase in their knowledge and application of taught study skills. The mentoring program ended in february 2014 due to an end in adequate funding and included 70 mentors and mentees. These individuals were transferred to another program to maintain continuity. Other significant community based initiatives in 2013-2014 included the holiday initiative which served 1,000 clients and families. Additionally, the bike day give-away, provided new bicycles, helmets and locks for over 440 children. In august, 700 children received a backpack which included needed school supplies leading them into a school year prepared with needed academic materials. Additionally, orchards partners with jewish vocational services to provide job opportunities for 17 mentally challenged adults who work three days a week in our clothing corner. In 2013-2014, orchards had the largest class in its youth board's history (30 students). This community service group consists of high school students from southeastern michigan who give back to the community, including but not limited to orchards community events. Orchards also continued to cultivate the community garden which garnered great community partnerships. Like the orchards' tree, ocs continues to seek new partnerships and opportunities and branch out further in community based programming.