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Children with histories of abuse, sexual behavior problems, and acute physical aggression are among the most difficult to serve. In 2000, few placement opportunities existed in the state of North Carolina for these troubled, chronically underserved children. Staff at the Grandfather Home for Children saw an opportunity to help these children and set a number of ambitious goals. This specifically included the development of 10 community-based “clusters” to provide foster care, adoption services, and other community services by 2010.
Within just five years, the Grandfather Home had a shorter length-of-stay for children, placed more children in the least restrictive environment, and experienced fewer placement changes, compared to federal and state performance.
- The average daily census of children served increased to 100—a goal originally set for 2010.
- 100 percent of foster children had two or fewer placements.
- There was a 42 percent decrease in the average length of stay for children in care, from an average of 16.8 months to 9.7 months.
- There was a 342 percent increase in the number of children the home was able to serve.
- There was a 975 percent increase in the percentage of children served in their home community.