Measurements and Outcomes
Ward Home's target goal is that 75% of our youth will increase their functioning level, successfully complete the Supervised Independent Living (S.I.L.) program and secure an appropriate living arrangement prior to discharge. An increased functioning level includes improved target behaviors as set forth by the youth in their goal plan. In order to complete the S.I.L. program successfully, clients will demonstrate a 50% increase on their post-test Daniel Memorial score, as well as complete 75% of the target skills contained in their goal plan.
Ward Home evaluates its programs twice a year using Evaluation Station. Evaluations are also administered to staff and students on a yearly basis. Ward Home is proud of the top rate inspections it earns yearly from Allegheny County and the recognition it received for being a model program for its "hands off," no-restraint policy.
The goal of Ward Home is to address the changing needs of homeless teens in a holistic manner, recognizing that, in order to help a young person make the transition from the system to a healthy adult life, we must address the complete person by providing:
- Safe, temporary shelter-Within a Supervised Independent Living facility or
through the Ward Independent Skills Enhancement program.
- Access to education-All Ward Home clients are required to complete a
G.E.D., or enroll in special education or regular public high school classes.
- Access to health care-Including regular medical and dental exams,
and medications.
- Skills for living-The basic "job readiness" skills required to socially interact
with people, maintain gainful employment, be financially literate, and contribute
to society.
- Psychological consulting-Professional assistance to deal with the wide range
of emotional and psychological problems confronted by homeless teens.
- Moral and spiritual values-While we were founded as a Methodist-based
organization, we take an ecumenical approach to the instilling of moral, ethical
and spiritual values in the young people we are privileged to serve.
At the core of the Ward Home philosophy are three fundamental principles:
- Respect for the individual, which, in pragmatic terms, means a "hands-off,"
no-restraint approach to dealing with teen residents. Teaching and relationship
building are emphasized by the staff-not restraints.
- Relationships open doors to communication, learning and life-changing
experiences, but relationships only grow when kids know that the staff
respects them.
- The Teaching Family Model is a proven approach for instilling within young
people a set of skills and values required to succeed in school, in interpersonal
relationships, on the job and in the community. Ward Home is the sole organization
in Allegheny County to use this model.
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