Orchards Children's Services

Family preservation - the organization served over 4,200 families across 12 counties in southeastern Michigan: genesee, livingston, macomb, oakland, shiawassee, wayne, monroe, gratiot, hillsdale, jackson, lenawee, and washtenaw where children were at risk of removal from their biological homes. Follow-up inquiries at three, six and twelve months after Services concluded that an estimated 93% of the families served were able to remain safely in their parents' care.

Clinical - fourteen licensed and credentialed clinicians completed 3,207 billable clinical sessions. In addition, the ageny has been contracted by the state of Michigan health and human Services to provide Services related to comprehensive trauma assessments and domestic violence intervention.

Placement Services - kinship, foster care, and independent living - we cared for an average of 198 youth each day over the last year in our foster care programs, which are designed for children that cannot remain in their own homes due to abuse and neglect that has occurred in their homes. Independent living is part of our foster care program and is specifically designed to assist youth with finding them an appropriate home provider to live with and learn skills to move into adulthood. For adoption, we served 265 children and facilitated 55 completed adoptions. We have a consultative Services agreement under contract with Michigan dhhs (adoption resource consultants) to expedite adoptions in process at other agencies.

Education Services - Orchards primary program in this area is our parentchild+ program that serves children 16 months to 4 years. The program is a home visiting literacy program trained by the national institute in new york. The program is evidenced based as we visit families twice a week teaching parents to use educational toys and books to be their child's first teacher. The program is designed to prepare children for success when they begin head start and eventually kindergarten as research has shown that children that begin school far behind never catch up. The Orchards believes in the mantra that education is important from cradle to college. Thus beyond k-12, the Orchards promise and sachs scholarship provides scholarship funding for Orchards client-scholars who receive full tuition and housing while attending a Michigan university. These scholars also receive additional support for emotional and health challenges. Orchards provided scholarships to 7 youth this year.orchards community based programming attempts to assist the children and communities we service by holding events that make childhood memorable. These events include camping at selected day camps and an annual bike day. This recreational programming is under the umbrella of "summer adventures" which includes summer camp opportunities for 130 clients as well as the bike giveaway where a total of 400 bikes, skateboards and scooters were provided along with safety gear, soporting equipment, books and blankets. In late summer, Orchards includes important community initiatives and educational support to children k-12 with back to school opportunities which include providing back packs, clothing and school supplies to over 950 youth. In the fall, we host a halloween party for children and community members. At holiday time, we give away over 450 holiday food baskets for thanksgiving and during december, we have a toy drive and over 890 children receive gifts for the holidays. In addition, we also invited community members to adopt 87 families as they shop to make those families have the most memorable holidays ever. Orchards clothing corner provides needed clothing to children entering the foster care system, as well as the guardianship program and family preservation support. Orchards partners with gesher human Services to provide employment opportunities in the clothing corner for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additional basic needs are provided via furniture acquisition and delivery to over 100 households annually. This includes beds, sofas, appliances, dressers, diningtables etc.