Our Project
Residential Care for Teen Boys
Why teen boys? 27% of the children who enter foster care in Western Kansas are between 13-18. They are kids who, by no fault of their own, have no one to take care of them. Teen boys are the hardest to place in long-term homes. They are shuttled from one short-term home to another. Youth who turn 18 in the system transition out of foster care as adults. These boys who "age out" are at a greater risk of dropping out of high school, experiencing unemployment and homelessness, and developing substance dependence.
3 in 4
Drop Out
Only 27% of boys who "age out" in Western Kansas will graduate from high school.
1 in 2
Unemployed
Only 50% of boys who "age out" will find some form of employment by the age of 21.
1 in 3
Homeless
34% of boys who "age out" will experience homelessness by the age of 21.
1 in 2
Substance Dependence
50% of boys who "age out" will struggle with substance dependence.
A Different Model
The True North Residential Care Facility will offer three levels of care and provide a continuum of care to boys ages 14-18 with step-down services through age 21. Our model prioritizes community integration, targeted education, and career development to improve outcomes for young men transitioning out of foster care to independent living.
Continuum of Care
The True North Residential Care Facility will offer three levels of care and provide a continuum of care to boys ages 14-18 with step-down services through age 21.
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Level 1 - A Youth Residential Care (YRC2) is non-secure 24-hour care for youth 14-18. The True North facility would be home to a max. of 14 YRC2 youth with a staff ratio of 1:7.
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Level 2 - Transitional Living Program (TLP) is designed for youth ages 16-18 to provide an opportunity to practice basic independent living skills in a variety of settings with decreasing degrees of supervision. The True North facility would be home to a max. of 8 TLP youth with a staff ratio of 1:10.
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Level 3 - Community Integration Program is intended for youth over 18 to prepare them to become socially and financially independent from the program. The True North facility would have six studio apartments in a single wing. Staff ratio requires a “life coach” to be on call 24 hours a day.
Education
Education: We want every youth at our home to graduate with a high school diploma. Youth will be enrolled in remote learning when they first arrive and will work with an education specialist to make sure educational markers have been met. Once a youth is caught up to grade level and adjusted well they may have the option to enroll in the public school system.
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Career Development: We will guide and direct youth toward a career area well suited to their interests and giftedness. We will provide career & technical training in this area and facilitate practical hands-on experiences, internships, part-time employment, etc. through our relationships with local residents and businesses.
Community Relationships
The true key to the "Gold Standard" are the wonderful people of Kiowa County and the surrounding communities. We believe the interest and involvement our local adults can give to the lives of these youth will be unlike anything they will experience elsewhere. We want to have open door and strong ties to the local people and businesses to promote relationships, culture and spirituality – essential factors in the formation of youth.