As time went on, more boys came to live on Whitmarsh St. and by 1975, Whitmarsh House became incorporated as a non-profit agency serving the needs of “at risk” youth. At the present time, there are 70 boys and young men ages 12 to 20 receiving residential educational and treatment services in a shelter, group homes and Independent Living Program.

Vision Statement We at Whitmarsh share a vision to instill in each youth the dignity, courage, and hope to create a significantly better life for the future. We envision that all youth be prepared for independent living to help them reach their maximum potential through reunification with family if possible, and by building positive relationships. Mission Statement The mission of Whitmarsh is to provide a safe, supportive environment in which each youth entrusted to our care can discover, through treatment, a sense of self; resolve issues of anger and self-control; find peace and acceptance, and come to terms with the emotions and circumstances that may have impeded personal growth.

To facilitate the mission of Whitmarsh, we aspire to be a community of staff and volunteers who are committed to:

• quality client service
• staff excellence
• fiscal stability
• cooperation with our entire community

Program Goals
Whitmarsh House strives to encourage and assist each individual to:

• identify strengths that can be utilized to achieve personal goals.
• develop positive and trusting relationships with others.
• develop a healthy self-esteem and strong self-image.
• recognize and change harmful attitudes and behavior.
• fulfill individual potential and develop self-reliance.
• respect the rights of others and an appreciation of individual differences.
• exercise control over words, emotions and action
• practice decision making and accept responsibility for choices.

Admissions and Intake
The Whitmarsh Program contracts with and accepts referrals for placement only through the Department for Children, Youth and Families. Short-term shelter or extended residential services are available for male adolescents aged 12-20 who are under the custody of DCYF.

Short-term shelter care is initiated through DCYF as an opening becomes available and is not subject to the referral process. A shelter resident may remain up to ninety days, although he may leave earlier. An extension beyond the ninety day limit may be granted by the Whitmarsh Program Administrator in certain circumstances.

While a resident remains in shelter care, information is gathered and a plan for the provision of services is begun. Shelter residents are afforded quality care however brief the residential stay. A shelter resident may move into long-term placement at Whitmarsh, return home, or move to another provider agency.

Adolescents in need of long-term residential service are placed following a formal referral process. The referral process begins as the DCYF worker gathers and sends out packets of informational data on each individual to Whitmarsh for review. Informational data should include a social summary, medical history, case and progress notes, psychological and psychiatric evaluations, and educational information. Also, any other important information that can assist the review team in making a decision for placement and in developing a subsequent treatment plan should be included.

Upon receipt and review of the referral packet, an interview with the adolescent, his social worker and family members is scheduled to identify the issues that have resulted in the need for program placement. The interview provides a forum for the youth to ask questions, tour the facility, and meet program staff. After a consensus has been reached that Whitmarsh Program presents the best option for an adolescent, the intake date is scheduled.

At intake, a new resident unpacks, records belongings, and signs a compliance agreement to abide by the rules and policies of the Whitmarsh Program. The compliance agreement details program rules and responsibilities and becomes an integral part of the DCYF case plan for each youth. The case plan identifies specific goals that must be met by the youth, family, DCYF worker and service provider agencies to have a successful and appropriate outcome. Progress towards meeting these objectives is reported and reviewed periodically with the DCYF Administrative Review Unit and the Family Court until a final disposition of the case occurs.

Whitmarsh Program assumes responsibility for the provision of residential, medical, educational, vocational and therapeutic services for all its residents.

Links
Whitmarsh News - Fall 2007
DCYF
Office of the Child Advocate