Families and Children Transitional Service (F.A.C.T.S.) is a short-term
(30-90 days) assessment center. Formerly a long-term residential group home,
F.A.C.T.S. changed its focus in response to the need in the Montgomery area
for a residential facility providing in-depth assessments of adolescents. While
living at F.A.C.T.S., each adolescent receives an assessment that includes an
evaluation of psychological, educational, physical, familial and behavioral
needs followed by recommendations for the youth’s continued growth and
development. This facility is licensed through the Department of Human
Resources.
Life at the Assessment Center
The Assessment Center has an on-site counselor who meets with
the youth daily to evaluate their individual situations and determine
the next step for them. That next step might be foster care, long-term
group home care, or in many cases returning home.
The assessment center seeks to involve children in meal preparation
and chores. Much like a family, the staff workers ensure a home environment
and teach youth responsibility. Often the workers engage children in
recreational activities such as sports, table games and community events.
For children who have no home to return to over the holidays, the staff makes the day special.
The Assessment Center is divided into girls’ and boys’ rooms.
Employees work 12-hour shifts and take on the role of parent,
addressing behavioral issues such as smoking, anger outbursts and depression.
The center depends on psychiatrists, school
counselors, doctors and teachers to give feedback and determine the future
of the youth.
