Where to Look For Group Homes For Troubled Youth

As a parent I realize how much love and concern go into raising a child. With 3 sons, I know the joy, sorrow and nerves involved. When you discover that you have a troubled teenager/youth, we sometimes feel alone. We don't know where to turn.

Thank goodness in today's day and age, there are plenty of resources. You might think about placing your child in a group home; then the guilt starts. "Am I doing right by my child:" "Should I give him/her another chance?" A lot of questions can consume your energy.

The most important thing is to step back and make the best decision for your child. Then, with confidence in yourself, start calling agencies who handle these troubled youths, i.e., Easter Seals, United Way or your local police department. You may even try local hospitals - they might have a list of places to place your child.

Go and visit group homes. Learn whether there are any reports filed against the group home or the people who work there. See whether it is clean. Find out if there is any abuse reported with the state you live in.

You also may want to speak with the guidance counselor at your child's school or the pastor at your church or temple.

I may not have a troubled teen; however, I do have a mentally retarded son who lives in a group home. He lived in one organization's group home for 15 years. When the staff wasn't paying attention, his hand got cut by him breaking a glass window, we knew it was time to move him. In the 15 years, many of his belongings "walked." Then he went into a home where the group home manager had one of the residents hold his hand while she broke my son's finger. There are a lot of group homes out there. Be sure you do your research.

There are questions that you may want to ask the manager of the facility:

1. How many troubled youths are at the facility;

2. What is the ratio of youths to staff;

3. What is the program offered at their facility;

4. Do they go out into the community;

5. Do they learn skills to help them survive in the community;

6. What is the training that the staff receives;

7. Has there been a background check on all of the staff;

8. Do they have parents that you can speak with;

9. Is there a nurse or doctor on call

10. Is there a support group / a parents' group?

The following is a list of Resources you can use:

The internet. Go to any search engine and type in "teens," troubled teens," "group homes for troubled teens," or use the word "youth." The internet is a wealth of information.

You may want to use the words: "troubled teen search - parenting -resource."

You can type in the words white pages or yellow pages and look for "group homes" in the search engine and narrow your search down to exactly what you are searching for.

Once again, be sure you do your research before you place your troubled child in any group home. And, remain active to be sure that your child is being taken care of properly.

I am Carol Morgan, founder and owner of Life Dreams and More. My heart is dedicated to enriching others' lives by educating them on the importance of paying attention to their night time dreams. Dreams offer us guidance, protection and advice. We don't have to pack them... they are always with us. Take the journey into the dream worlds and watch the magic begin! lifedreamsandmore.com lifedreamsandmore.com