Residential Child Care Program
Gateway Wood has a beautiful 50-acre campus near Ft. Wayne, IN. We have five family group homes that serve a capacity of 32 residents (see current openings) between the ages of 12-19.
Gateway Woods serves children from state and local programs including the Department of Child Services, juvenile probation, the Department of Correction, and special education cooperatives. We also accept private referrals from families, school counselors, social services, pastors, therapists and medical professionals.
The residential program addresses the needs of two distinct groups:
Abused, Neglected or Delinquent Teens
We treat children with issues such as oppositional/defiant behavior, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, drug and alcohol related issues, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and delinquent/pre-delinquent habits. Our goal is to establish clear expectations, end destructive behavioral patterns, and achieve reunification or independence with resident's families.
Young Mothers & Teen Pregnancy
Our Residential Care Services offers a specific program for pregnant teen girls and teen mothers. Specifically, these are girls who need the structure, care, education, and therapy offered in a residential treatment setting. They are also expecting a baby or caring for a small child. At times, girls may be addressing decisions concerning the child's father or adoption.
During the teen years so many critical changes and confusing choices are made. Teens or their parents do not always choose wisely. Living with the memories and scars of abuse and neglect or the consequences of delinquency is very difficult for a young person. Along with the resulting dysfunctional attitudes and behaviors and emotional and learning issues, the girls in this program have the extra challenge of pregnancy or caring for their own small child before they are grown up themselves. We then, care for two children - one teen and one baby.
Girls and their babies live in a family-like, group home setting. Their complex needs are addressed through a multi-faceted treatment team approach. The married house parent couple takes a key role as primary caretakers and authorities. Effective and loving examples of marriage, problem solving, nurturing, bonding, and discipline are natural to the home environment as the couples are often raising small children of their own.
We are called by God to honor all life. We accept the challenge to care for some of the smallest and most vulnerable with a faith-driven vision toward a future full of tener promise. These teens and babies are small, fragile, and in need ot protection and direction as they grow in preparation for the challenges of maturing life.
Family Focused Philosophy
At Gateway Woods, we realize that the Houseparents' role is not to replace the parents' rightful position, but rather to act as temporary helpers and guides. Our residential program is a partnership between our staff and residents' families.
Houseparent families provide a model of spirituality, family interaction, diligence, structure, mutual respect, and support. Resident's families are engaged as "allies" and "teammates" in the treatment process.
Residential Care Services
Therapeutic
Every resident is assigned a Masters-level therapist upon his or her arrival at Gateway Woods. Parents and placing agencies work together with the therapist to develop a treatment plan for the resident. These programs combine regular individual, group, and family counseling with educational, recreational, vocational and spiritual activities to address each resident's unique needs.
Educational
Gateway Woods offers an accredited on-grounds educational program, Gateway Woods School, to all residents and Day Treatment students.
Vocational
Residents receive a variety of vocational opportunities on our campus. These include animal chores, gardening, landscaping, and other on-grounds tasks. To help young people become more responsible, we also arrange individual training in job-finding skills, community service, and conventional employment opportunities that may continue throughout the year on a part-time basis.
Recreational
When possible, residents are involved in on-campus recreational activities including sports, canoeing, hiking, and camping, which provide interaction with peers and a variety of adult role models. Residents take occasional weekend trips in Indiana and around the Midwest, in addition to a summer vacation.
Spiritual
We believe that a strong family life includes prayer and Bible study, involvement in local church Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, youth group activities, and worshiping together. Through these experiences, residents are introduced to the power of faith in Christ, and learn the reason behind our staff's commitment to and love for them.
For more information, download the Gateway Woods Residential Brochure
Expectations for Conduct
Although residents' parents are frequently consulted and involved in the setting and discipline process, our group homes are highly structured settings with more rules and expectations than most families have. We believe that biblical principals are foundational to helping young people become responsible for themselves and their futures.
Everyone is responsible for his or her own thoughts, words, and actions, and our clear expectations and rules are based on the biblical principles of obedience, respect, honesty, patience, humility, kindness, and self-control. Young people learn to grow by consistently being held accountable to these expectations.
Length of Placement
The problems that lead to placement are long standing, and it takes time to make lasting changes that will result in reunification. Reuniting families is our primary goal, and we work closely with the placing agency and family to determine a treatment plan and a schedule for reunification.
Young people placed by public agencies typically have a set of standards that must be satisfied prior to discharge. We work with the family to monitor progress and set goals. This time frame can be as short as nine months or as long as two years.
