Administrative Offices: 71 S. Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(914) 693-3030
Rebuilding Families....One Hope at a Time.
Since 1881, our mission has been clear: St. Christopher’s-Jennie Clarkson (SCJC) is a lifeline for families in crisis. The staff and board of SCJC are committed to strengthening families. We believe that the first choice for every child is his or her own family. By working closely with each family, including extended family members, we strive to enhance the family’s abilities to provide safe, healthy, nurturing environments in which children can learn, grow, and prosper. When the biological family is not an option, we seek caring, permanent adoptive homes for the children.
Our comprehensive services include the following:
Residential Treatment Centers
Dobbs Ferry and Valhalla, Westchester County New York, provide peaceful surroundings for teenagers needing residential placement. The Dobbs Ferry campus is temporary home to 90 boys and girls, ages 12 and up. Our Valhalla Residential Treatment Center (RTC) accommodates 24 teenage girls. No more than 12 young people live in each renovated cottage, equipped with study areas, entertainment centers, air-conditioning, and state-of-the-art security systems.
Non-Secure Detention
Westchester County Non-Secure Detention Center, located on the Valhalla campus of SCJC, provides services for 24 teenage males and females residing in Westchester County. Youngsters are referred through Family Court or local police departments. During their stay, the teens receive diagnostic examinations, counseling, and education.
Group Home Living
SCJC operates three group homes for teens in Westchester County, accommodating 24 girls and 12 boys. The goal of our group homes is to prepare young people for independent living. They attend neighborhood schools and local colleges, worship at community churches, work in nearby businesses, volunteer for local organizations, and participate in area sports and cultural activities.
Foster Boarding Homes
SCJC is proud of its achievements in foster boarding home services: We have the shortest length of recidivism (re-placement) rate in the state. We offer expeditious discharges: at least 10% lower than the system average. Currently, our Foster Boarding Home Department places approximately 600 children from infancy through the teenage years. We supervise more than 350 foster homes in the metropolitan New York area, and can develop beds in specific locations.
Adoption Services
Many of our youngsters await permanent adoptive homes. They wish for loving, nurturing families with whom they can share their lives. During 1995-96, SCJC placed 113 children into adoptive homes, 134% of our adoption goal. This success ranks us as Number One in performance in adoption finalization.
Children’s Health Service Clinic
CHS Pediatric Clinic, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, provides low-income families with vital medical services including the treatment of many medical conditions, including childhood diseases and viral infections. Patients range in age from infancy through age 16. After a recent reorganization, the clinic now offers 24-hour emergency medical aid, increased clinic sessions, additional evening and weekend sessions, walk-in patients, and more services for ailing children.
Children’s Health Service Family Day Care Program
Family Day Care for infants, preschoolers and after school children is available for parents who are employed, enrolled in school or vocational training, or are actively looking for work. CHS also provides day care as part of a family’s treatment plan in order to prevent foster care placement.
Education
Greenburgh-North Castle Union Free School District, a fully-accredited school, provides our residents with extensive educational opportunities, including remedial education.
Camp CARE
Camp CARE (Clean Air Recreational Experience) is one of SCJC’s newest programs for children in foster care, combining outdoor activities with therapeutic services. To enhance the reunification process, families are invited to spend some time with their children, experiencing healthful outdoor activities. The camp, located in Harriman State Park, is now available to all children in New York’s foster care system.
St. Christopher’s-Jennie Clarkson Child Care Services, Inc., is a non-profit, non-sectarian, voluntary agency serving children and their families since 1881. We are currently accepting contributions, donations of toys, gifts-in-kind, and volunteer commitments for the holiday season.
For more information, call the Public Relations Office at (914) 693-3030, Ext. 291.