The Residential Services Division believes something miraculous is possible for troubled youth when they receive structure, caring and specialized services. Guided by this belief, the Division serves children and teens requiring extra assistance to successfully transition from childhood to adulthood. Too often these children come from chaotic or abusive homes that lack sufficient guidance and direction. Too often, these children are left unattended, raising themselves without parental support or intervention. Yet with vigilance, faith, support and care, their possibilities are endless and achievement is possible.

Therapeutic Group Homes
Adolescence can be a trying time. For some youth, placement in a therapeutic group home setting is necessary to provide structure and redirection. Therapeutic Group Home programs are dedicated to working with youth in the context of their nuclear families and other community support networks.

The Residential Services Division operates three Therapeutic Group Homes: Peter and Paul House located in Phillipsburg, Cedar House located in Liberty Corner and Nazareth House located in Perth Amboy. All three offer individual, group and family counseling with a behavior modification program that focuses on positive reinforcement and natural, logical consequences.

Diagnostic Facilities
Many of the children referred to the Residential Services programs have experienced severe trauma in their childhood due to abuse or neglect. Many have been exposed to drugs and alcohol as a result of the addictions of their parents. Many have not received proper medical care. Add to this multiple placements in foster homes and hospital settings and a picture emerges of an angry and troubled youth with nowhere to go. At the Central Region Assessment and Referral Center in Bridgewater and Nicholas House in Jackson, the emphasis is placed on administering comprehensive diagnostic assessments and teaching youth new coping strategies, anger management and communication skills. The goal is to discharge clients to the least restrictive setting possible.

Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program is for youth who are approaching adulthood yet remain unable to return to their families. This program provides a supervised apartment type setting to facilitate the transition from a group home to living in the community without adult supervision. While in the facility, youth receive case management services and opportunities for real life experiences in a supportive environment. The program provides education in household maintenance, food shopping, meal preparation, money management, methods for accessing community resources and assistance obtaining employment. Program participants are required to maintain employment and contribute financially to rent and groceries. All program components prepare these youth to live independently in the community.