Catholic Charities has announced that St. Cloud Children’s Home will expand its day services to benefit more kids needing help with mental health issues.
Catholic Charities announced March 2 that the facility will transition from a residential-based model to a day services model beginning immediately, citing a change in the type of services needed.
“Our programs have provided exceptional care to youth with mental health needs; but over time, the demand for services has shifted from residential services to day services,” said Deacon Steve Pareja, executive director of Catholic Charities.
“Over the past few years, we have seen a trend of decreased referrals for residential services while, at the same time, an increase in requests for day services,” he said. “This change allows us to respond to those needs and to serve more and more local kids.”
Day services have been available on the Children’s Home campus for several years. Currently, about 60 children attend day programs, including Catholic Charities Young Learners, Youth Learning Center and Day Treatment programs, as well as Riverwoods School, operated in cooperation with District 742. Catholic Charities also operates a Day Treatment Program in Elk River.
The first phase of the transition should take about two months and will include discharging youth who will soon complete their treatment as well as supporting other residents in finding programs to ensure their future success.
The transition will mean an initial loss of jobs at the organization, according to Catholic Charities. About 95 employees are impacted; Deacon Pareja said the organization currently has approximately 40 open positions in other programs. The expansion of day services may also add other employment opportunities.
“For more than 90 years, Catholic Charities St. Cloud Children’s Home has had a proud history of providing outstanding care to children,” Deacon Pareja said. “From its founding as an orphanage to its present focus on youth with mental health needs, the Children’s Home has adapted its services many times to meet the needs of children of each generation. We intend to continue that history.”