Sunshine

COVER STORY
CORE VALUE: RESPONSIBILITY
Making final decisions about admissions
applications to MCH is a daunting
responsibility. Although criteria guide
the admissions process, the individual
needs of every applicant are carefully
evaluated to determine the best placement
for the youth.
“While we cannot accept everyone
who applies for admission, we feel passionately
about what we do and advocate
for every youth we feel needs to be
at MCH,” said Catie Capp-Hays, director
of admissions.
Families can learn about programs
and services by calling MCH directly or
through referrals. MCH asks relatives,
friends, ministers, teachers and other
sources to tell families about MCH or
contact the Home directly when they become
aware of a child who needs help.
“We believe there is a shared responsibility
in serving youth,” said Moe
Dozier, vice president for residential
services. “If people will take the responsibility
to let us know about children we
can potentially help, we’ll do our part to
try to help them. Unfortunately, many
families are unaware of our services.
They need someone to tell them about
Methodist Children’s Home.”
The typical admissions process can
take several weeks, and MCH relies on
families to maintain communication
with the admissions staff and complete
all paperwork in a timely manner. In
addition, MCH can provide emergency
placement on a case-by-case basis.
When a family calls the admissions
office, a staff member conducts a
brief screening by telephone to determine
if the child’s needs can potentially
be met by MCH. If so, an admissions
Catie Capp-Hays (right), director of admissions
at MCH, built a close relationship
with Clara during her admissions
process. MCH makes every effort to
help families who seek assistance.
staff member conducts a full inquiry
by phone or sends the family an application.
After the required information
and paperwork are gathered, staff
members review the records to determine
if the child can benefit from the
Home’s services. A family interview
and campus tour are then scheduled.
The child’s application is presented
to the Intake Screening Committee, a
group of child care administrators and
staff members that meets weekly to discuss
current applications.
Capp-Hays said the committee
considers many factors to determine if
MCH can effectively meet the needs of a
child. While some issues are clear, others
require much discussion. The Intake
Screening Committee works closely together
and weighs all options to make
the best decision for every child.
“Our admissions team is truly invested
in the well-being of each child,”
Capp-Hays said. “We want what’s in
the best interests of youth, and we don’t
want to short-change them.”
Capp-Hays said an important factor
in determining placement is the potential
impact on current residents and
the dynamics in individual home units.
“We have vulnerable youth here,
and it’s essential that we consider the
needs of our current residents in addition
to potential residents,” she said.
“We have to remember that we’re looking
at the bigger picture when we place
children in our residential program.”
If the Intake Screening Committee
approves the final application, an assessment
is written about the youth and the
admissions team determines the best
home unit for the child.
“Placement is important because we
don’t want to set up our youth for failure,”
Capp-Hays said. “We want them to
be in homes where they can flourish.”
The MCH admissions office handles
applications and placement of
youth on the Waco campus and Boys
Ranch. Youth who are potential candidates
for the Home’s residential program
in Waxahachie go through the
process on that campus.
Capp-Hays emphasized that the
Home makes every effort to help all
families who seek assistance.
“We want to make sure we serve
families who call for guidance in some
way,” she said. “If we’re not able to provide
services for them, we’ll refer them
to another agency that could possibly
assist them in their situation. We want
to help all families find the support and
services they need for their children.”
To refer a child to MCH, please call our admissions office at 800-964-9226 (toll-free) or 254-750-1237.
Admissions information is also available on our website at: http://www.methodistchildrenshome.org/page/admissions.aspx.
6 Sunshine I Winter 2011