FARMINGTON CHILDREN'S HOME is located in Farmington Missouri. FCH is situated in a building that also contains the Midwest Learning Center.  FCH is a level IV and level III residential treatment facility for male and female youth between the ages of 11-18.  FCH has a level IV locked unit and semi locked cottage.  There are also two level III open cottages.  Youth with DSM-IV diagnosis with moderate to severe intensity are accepted.  Youth with a wide range of behaviour issues including depression, self harming, conduct disorder, anger, defiance and others can be placed at FCH.

Length of stay at FCH depends on the behaviour and the needs of the youth.  There is a 30 day crisis care treatment program for families requiring short term intervention and counseling.  Long term care is provided, when needed, until another placement is found.  Future placements for FCH residents may include: going home to a parent or guardian, independent living, another residential facility, or a hospital placement if the youth is in the need of Department of Mental health services.

While at Farmington Children's Home the residents go to school, have activities to participate in , and have 24 hour supervision.  The residents are enrolled and receive credit for school through the Midwest Learning Center, the alternative school for the Farmington School district.  At the highest level earned the residents can attend the public school.  The residents at FCH have individual and group therapy sessions weekly.  Treatment, educational and behavioural groups include Pathways (substance abuse group), grief group, Youth for Christ, independent living and social skills.

THE FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR THE BSW CANDIDATE: While at Farmington Children's Home as a practicum student, there are many types of learning experiences to participate in.  These include:

• Co-lead groups
• One-on-one time with residents
• Attend agency intakes
• Attend treatment team meetings
• Attend interagency meetings
• Community participation
• Observe case managers in their duties
• Be involved in the file audit process
• Observe crisis intervention process
• Enter data into the computer system
• Attend case manager meetings
• Meet other social service workers in the community
• Attend court hearings

WHAT STUDENTS SAY:  "While at Farmington Children's Home I participated in many types of learning experiences.  I was involved in co-leading the parenting and grief groups.  I helped the field supervisor with the mentoring program and went on home visits to monitor Family Focus families.  I was able to attend a court hearing for a resident.    I attended System of Care meetings where agencies from around the community would come together to see what services they could offer the selected treatment families. At these interagncy meetings I was able to meet other social service workers and see how they perform their duties. 

The most fun part of  this placement, for me, was spending time with the residents.  I would talk to them about how their day was or what they had planned for the future. Sometimes there were crisis situations.  These times really opened my eyes to the issues that this population is dealing with.  These children do not just deal with their issues overnight.  It is a process that takes time, work, patience, and compassion.  However, with help and nurturing, change can happen. 

I would recommend that A BSW field education student choose Farmington Children's Home if the student wants to work with young people.  The staff is really nice and they really do care about the residents and each other.  The field education student would have good supervision in a setting that has a lot going on but also has a homelike feel for the residents and staff." 

"Farmington Children's Home provided me with a very enjoyable field experience.  It was challenging at times but I was able to develop many social work skills with the help of a very supportive staff.  My supervisor was great and made sure I was comfortable with each task I was given.  I will not forget my experiences at the the Children's Home.  The residents were truly inspirational to me"

For more information about Farmington Children's Home, visit their website at:   http://www.presbyterianchildren.org 

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