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Covenant Children's Home Refocusing Its Ministry
Barbara Prendergast
PRINCETON, IL (March 19, 2000) - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalms 46:1-3)
Many staff members wiped away tears as Rev. Tom Peterson, director of Pastoral Ministries, read the above verse at the close of the all-staff meeting February 23. David Lundberg, president of Covenant Children's Home and Family Services, had just announced that the current residential program will end June 30. However, the agency's community based Covenant Counseling Services will continue serving individuals, families, churches and other groups through counseling, foster care and other programs
The unanimous board decision to discontinue residential treatment contracts with state agencies was the result of several factors.
"We have been concerned for several years about trends in the child welfare field, most of which, we have concluded, are beyond our control," Lundberg said. "Two meetings with the director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services provided little hope that we could continue to be a provider of residential services to the Illinois child welfare community," he added.
During the past five years, the number of children going into residential care has declined 44 percent, according to Rev. Bernie Windmiller, Children's Home board chair. "There are more beds than there are children to take those beds in agencies throughout the state," Windmiller observed. He also noted that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has been successful in diverting youth from residential treatment and placing them instead in substitute care environments closer to home, which for most is the larger cities. Young people referred to residential services are more complex than in previous years, the board chair said, noting an increase in staff injuries has made recruitment and retention of staff increasingly difficult.
Financial considerations also influenced the decision. Windmiller said the cost of care greatly exceeds the rate paid by public agencies. "We were losing revenue and had to decide whether to continue," he said.
"We know and celebrate the fact that we have had a positive impact on youth in the child welfare system for a number of years," Lundberg said. "We feel a sense of grief as we discontinue services to that needy population. We have a marvelous staff of committed people. It is difficult to see them leave - they have represented the spirit of what we do." Between 65 and 80 full and part-time employees will lose their jobs by June 30. The first group of jobs was eliminated in mid-March. Additional reductions will occur as the client population decreases.
"We are not closing the doors of Covenant Children's Home and Family Services," Rev. Windmiller firmly stated. "We are seeking a new direction for the mission of Covenant Children's Home. We have a good future and a positive one."
Although the current residential treatment program will end June 30, the community based Covenant Counseling Services remains vital and is, in fact, growing. "The programs offered by Covenant Counseling Services are not affected by the decision to discontinue the residential treatment program at Covenant Children's Home," said Dr. Philip J. Ladd, vice president of Community Services.
Since 1974, the Princeton-based Covenant Counseling Services has provided individual counseling to individuals of all ages, as well as marital and family counseling. Covenant Counseling Services offers foster care, in-home family support services, mediation, discussion groups addressing specialized topics, and a new domestic abuse intervention program. The agency also provides consultation and support services to clergy and schools, as well as student and employee assistance programs.
Work on developing a new vision strategy for Covenant Children's Home has already begun, according to Lundberg. "Covenant Children's Home and Family Services has undertaken a Plan of Renewal to identify ways in which we can fulfill our mission and serve the needs of our family within the Evangelical Covenant Church," he said. "We are considering new residential programs as well as other services that would impact children, youth, adults and families."
The first step is determining unfulfilled needs within communities and churches. A survey sent to donors and churches identifies several needs for potential consideration, including services to homeless families, programs for teenage parents, outreach to the elderly, and resources for parents struggling with teenage-related issues.
Those interested in outlining needs within a particular community or church for consideration may contact Barbara Prendergast, coordinator of Communications and Marketing, as follows: by mail at Covenant Children's Home, P.O. Box 518, Princeton, IL., 61356; by telephone at 815-875-1120, extension 580; or by e-mail at devdept@covenanthome.org. Copies of the Plan For Renewal survey form are available upon request.
Additional information concerning Covenant Counseling Services may be obtained by calling 815-876-0123 or by visiting www.covcounsel.org.
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