St. Mary's Home For Children

Target demographics: child victims of trauma, sexual abuse, psychiatric disorders; adults and families with family trauma histories

Direct beneficiaries per year: 1,000

Geographic areas served: State of Rhode Island by partnering with youth, adults, and families, St. Mary’s Home for Children fosters resilience and potential through a continuum of innovative residential, community-based, education, and prevention services.

Programs: Residential Services – Our Residential Services provide treatment for youth ages 6-18 including a full range of individual, group and family clinical services. Five houses on our campus provide living space for up to 37 youth at a time. Residential care may last up to 12 months, depending on the needs of the child and family. Boys ages 5 to 13 and girls ages 5 to 18 participate in a program that emphasizes positive relationships with staff and peers, and the development of skills that will enhance self-control and healthy living habits. Daily and weekly schedules include school and homework, recreation, individual, group and family therapy, family visits, off grounds activities, and social and daily living skills development. The goal is to help children and families heal, and to help them develop healthy and satisfying relationships. Services also include abuse reactive treatment, an emergency shelter, acute residential treatment services, psychiatric residential treatment, and partial day programs. George N. Hunt Campus School – The Hunt School was established in 1982 for residential and day students (grades K-12) with learning and socio-emotional, behavioral disorders who have failed to succeed in their public school. It boasts a clinically-based educational program for the students placed in residence as well as students referred by school districts. Transitional services begin at age 14 when additional transitional information is added to each student’s Individualized Education Plan. Students access various assessments to discover strengths and weakness as well as learning style and career interests. A 45-day assessment module especially designed for students with socio-emotional and behavioral issues which also serves as an interim alternate educational setting. The organization is also continuing educational programming in local schools, allowing children to remain in their local school building while receiving the additional services they need to be successful. Outpatient Services (Shepherd Program) – The Shepherd Program was established in 1985 to provide outpatient individual and group counseling for children and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse or have sexual behavior problems. It is the largest and most comprehensive treatment program of its kind in Rhode Island. The program employs a clinical team with expertise in sexual abuse assessment and treatment. The staff is dedicated to providing behavioral health services for adults, children, teens and families and helping families heal and stop the cycle of abuse. Services include individual treatment for a variety of mental health issues, family therapy, social skills, group services and therapy, for coping with loss/change. The program is accredited by the council on accreditation.