Child & Family Services of Northeast Michigan

Hope House is a 13-bed residential treatment center sponsored by Child & Family Services if Northeast Michigan, Inc. Hope House provides daily peer group therapy, individual counseling, family therapy with outside referrals as needed. Duration of the program depends on the progress of the resident. A positive release from Hope House can be expected to take from 11 to 14 months.

Hope House provides residential treatment in a community based home-like setting that is an alternative to institutionalization. The program focuses on adolescent girls (ages 12 through 18 years) who have demonstrated an inability to live in a less restrictive setting and are in need of a more structured environment. Hope House is designed to address personal, home, school, peer and community issues. The program focuses on developing more functional behavior patterns through instruction and peer confrontation, being most effective with girls of approximate average I.Q. who are verbal and peer-oriented.

Referrals are accepted from Probate Courts, Family Independence Agencies, and Mental Health Services throughout Michigan. Referrals are carefully screened by interviewing the youth, her family, gathering historical information and interviewing referring workers to ensure that Hope House is the most appropriate, least restrictive environment. If no opening is immediately available, the resident will be placed in the next available bed opening.

Family therapy sessions with the primary guardian(s) are held every 4 to 6 weeks, more or less as appropriate. It is our intention to work cooperatively with the family, setting reunification as a priority whenever possible. When placement at home is not possible, Hope House will seek other resources for post-placement such as foster care. Parents are asked to assist in transportation arrangements for home visits. The staff provides follow-up services to the families for at least 60 days after the resident’s release including two aftercare visits.

Quarterly progress reports are sent to the referring agency. These reports include an evaluation by the residents advocate, group leader and family worker, along with information regarding school, social progress, and current treatment plans.

When a resident is ready to exit the program, she will consistently demonstrate to her peers and staff, interpersonal and emotional stability, improved peer and family relationships, responsible community behavior and improved school performance, addressing the behaviors that led to her placement. A resident can also be discharged if all parties agree that she has progressed as far as she is able at this time. A resident may also be discharged if her behavior presents an undue risk to herself or in the community, her referral worker requests discharge or if the judge in her home county orders her release.

Hope House is open and provides service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Inquiries regarding referrals should be addressed to the Program Director weekdays, during normal business hours.