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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 <strong>Sunshine</strong> I Winter 2011
COVER STORY CORE VALUE: SERVICE Service is more than just an action. Community service at MCH is learning to look beyond oneself to fulfill the needs of others, and it is an important part of the child care program at MCH. Youth on the Waco, Boys Ranch and Waxahachie campuses enjoy opportunities to share their time and talents to meet the needs of others. Community service is performed on Saturdays during the school year and throughout the week in the summer. Staff and youth in each home unit are responsible for identifying service opportunities. Belinda Gutierrez, a youth care counselor in Waxahachie, believes in the power of community service. “Our youth learn so much from serving others,” Gutierrez said. “They begin to see the bigger picture – that other people have situations in their lives that aren’t perfect either.” Gutierrez’s home unit volunteers during respite night at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County the first Friday of each month. This evening is set aside by the church for parents of children with special needs. The children come to the church to have a fun night with friends while the parents spend time together. The church is equipped to provide for special needs children. Another program within the church, Reins of Life, gives the children a different option for having fun. Reins of Life provides an opportunity for children to ride gentlenatured horses with a lead and side support. This enables the child to build muscle and gain coordination skills. MCH youth volunteer to play games with the children and act as leads or side support when they ride horses. Tristan, one of the MCH youth who volunteers at the church, said he has Belinda Gutierrez, a youth care counselor on the Waxahachie campus, has helped MCH youth in her home unit serve children with special needs at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County. gained a different outlook on life through this opportunity. “I was nervous at first because I thought the kids were going to be different than me,” he said. “Once we went, I realized they’re not that different, and I really like to work with kids who have special needs.” Gutierrez said that as the youth begin to relate to the children, they learn how to get along with all ages of people and develop “patience, empathy, trust and charity.” Community service projects can also help youth, like Tyler, develop a sense of purpose for their lives. “The Cowboy Church is my favorite place to do community service,” Tyler said. “Because of this, I want to work with special needs kids as a career.” In addition to their service at the church, each Saturday morning Gutierrez’s home unit meets to discuss how they can continue to serve others in the coming week. “I like to get the boys’ input on what they want to do,” Gutierrez said. “We will start a community service project at a local nursing home soon.” Gutierrez’s home unit decided as a team to serve the elderly by creating a monthly newsletter to share with some of the residents. Each of the boys in the home unit is responsible for a section of the newsletter. “The key to getting youth involved in community service is finding something that empowers them,” Gutierrez said. “We let them take the reins.” MCH youth on the Waco, Boys Ranch and Waxahachie campuses volunteer to meet a variety of needs in their communities. Staff and youth in each home unit are responsible for identifying needs and partnering with organizations, agencies, businesses and churches. Below is a list of recent partnerships. Family Abuse Center Adopt-a-Highway Avance Waco Bledsoe Miller Rec. Center Boys and Girls Club Campfire CareNet Caritas Cowboy Church of Ellis County Dewey Rec. Center Community Service Partnerships Friends for Life Goodwill Greenview Manor Habitat for Humanity Humane Society Just As I Am Ministries Keep Waco Beautiful Lake Air Little League Lakeshore Baptist Church Laura Edwards Day Care McLennan Comm. College Meals on Wheels Mission Arlington Ridgecrest Nursing Home Salvation Army Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry Spring Street Baptist Church Tim’s Greenhouses Waco Community Dev. Corp. YMCA <strong>Sunshine</strong> I Winter 2011 7
Page 1 and 2: Sunshine The magazine of Methodist
Page 3 and 4: COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW Austin, a res
Page 5 and 6: COVER STORY CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
Page 7: COVER STORY CORE VALUE: RELATIONSHI
Page 11 and 12: COVER STORY CORE VALUE: HOPE At age
Page 13 and 14: Q & A WITH TIM BROWN with a termina
Page 15 and 16: Thank you... for sharing the messag
Page 17 and 18: Josh Myranda Lori Battles with gran
Page 19 and 20: D. Chamberlain Anna Chamberlain and
Page 21 and 22: Cletus Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Philip E
Page 23 and 24: Lil Leo Seitz Steve and Meda Beaird
Page 25 and 26: George Brindley, M.D. Dr. and Mrs.
Page 27 and 28: Bill and Gladys Heaton Larry and Ma
Page 29 and 30: Reverend Jimmy Nunn and Mrs. Mary N
Page 31 and 32: Employee Service Awards METHODIST C

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