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Programs for children and teens

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Programs & Services

Children & Teens

Our newly restructured therapeutic Residential Program is the only program of its kind in the state of Illinois. Children who are victims of abuse often suffer emotional or behavioral effects that last long after the physical scars heal. Formerly abused children need a nurturing environment to break this cycle of violence. This environment must show children that they are wanted, needed and loved. The Larkin Center provides such an environment in their group homes.

Our Residential Program is a three-tiered phase program that includes Orientation, Intensive and Transition group homes. Upon successful completion of each phase, each client moves on to the next phase and is given more freedom to navigate the community independently.

Larkin operates five group homes for boys and one group home for girls. Our specialized Social Sexual Treatment (SST) program is a larger 12-bed facility for boys exhibiting sexually problematic behavior stemming from their own experiences of abuse . Staff from Larkin's clinical teams are assigned to each resident and develop customized treatment plans. Clients are monitored around the clock by a supervisor, an assistant and direct care workers, clients are offered a structured routine and receive rewards for good behavior, such as completing household tasks and cooperating with staff members.

At any given time under Larkin's care, as many as 52 children and teens, ages 6 to 17, are learning how to deal with the past events of their lives and to enjoy life again as a kid. Clients learn basic living skills and how to operate in a group environment. Our goal is to prepare clients for a permanent living situation such as reuniting with their family, becoming adopted or uniting with a foster care family.

Program highlights include the following:

  • Representatives from Larkin's admissions, clinical, residential and education teams review client applications. Candidates - most of whom are in the care of the state of Illinois -- are chosen based on openings and their ability to succeed in a specified group home.

  • Larkin operates four group homes for boys, including a larger 12-bed facility for those suffering from severe emotional, behavioral and developmental challenges mostly due to sexual abuse. One group home is for girls. While length of residency varies, an average client will stay in a group home for 12 to 18 months. Monitored around the clock by a supervisor, an assistant and childcare workers, clients are offered a structured routine and receive rewards for good behavior, such as completing household tasks and cooperating with staff and other group home members. Staff from Larkin's clinical team are assigned to each resident and develop customized plans.

  • Depending on their abilities and behavior, clients attend a public school near their group home or the agency's special education school. Evenings in group homes are spent helping prepare dinner with staff, cleaning up, doing homework, participating in life skills groups and preparing for the next day. Weekends are devoted to visiting with family, spending time alone or doing group activities.