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Mahoning County Children Services is one of seven
counties in the State of Ohio that operate group homes for children in
their county. Mahoning County Children Services partners with The
Steel Valley Homes for Youth, Inc., and the Swanston Foundation to
provide group home services in our community. The agency operates
three group homes located in the city of Youngstown with each group
home housing up to 10 residents ranging from 6 to 17 years of age. The
homes are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The residents attend local schools and participate in activities
within the community. There are 33 youth leaders (full and part time)
responsible for the direct care of the residents, three cooks, and one
maintenance worker working in the homes. The homes themselves are
managed by three group life managers who are responsible to oversee
the day to day operation of the homes.
This program requires the support of community resources such as
counseling agencies, the school systems, and social service
organizations. In addition, volunteer groups such as Warriors, Inc.,
the Boardman Poland Junior League, and The Difference Makers have
dedicated exceptional talent and resources to our group home program.
These are just a few examples of the community partners needed to
support services to this population.
The group homes are one level of care within the Residential
Department. The next level of care is residential placement, which is
purchased placement from private providers. Children who exhibit
emotional and behavioral problems which require an intense level of
supervision and treatment are referred for residential placements.
These cases are managed by three caseworkers within the Residential
Department. These workers also monitor children in specialized foster
homes and treatment facilities.
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