Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2017-2018 | Page 121

in-kind donations, and financial
donations.”
Legislation approved in January
2017, AB 403, will require the
Children’s Home to transition into a
short-term residential therapeutic
program by December 2018. “Our
timeline and processes are under
massive transformation,” says
Gomez. “With government trying to
get foster youth out of congregate
care faster, kids who would be here
for two years could be reduced to six
months.”
As the Children’s Home must
intensify services for kids’ shorter
stays, they are again leading the
way with a comprehensive program
including specialty mental health
services. “We are well positioned
to weather this landmark change
successfully because of our longevity
and reputation,” concludes Gomez.
Community members are rooting for
us and helping us, and we’ll come out
of this even stronger.”
counselors. “Our programming
focuses on providing a culturally
relevant and trauma-informed
approach for positive outcomes,”
notes Gomez. “We look at their
strengths, and utilize rewards and
incentives, and we’re getting great
results. We pride ourselves on the
support our staff gives.”
With an annual budget of about
$9 million, the Children’s Home
relies heavily on community support.
“We build community connections
because our kids will be more
successful if they’re exposed to and
welcomed by the community and
businesses,” says Gomez. “We want
businesses to partner with us to feel
the satisfaction of socializing these
kids and helping them understand
responsibilities. We welcome help
in the form of business workshops,
enrichment activities, field trips,
CHS holds community tours every 2nd
Wednesday and 3rd Thursday of the
month. Please contact Joelle Gomez at
[e-mail] to reserve your spot.
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