Courtney Banatoski (left) and John Derry (right)
Courtney Banatoski, President and CEO of Cumberland Youth & Family Services, spoke about how lives are being changed at Cumberland. She spoke about the sad reality of what happens to foster kids when they age out of the system and often end up on the streets.
Cumberland Youth & Family Services is “Committed to Keeping Youth Safe and Families Together.” The campus has 17 acres. There are three residential programs: Foster Care, Young Adult Care, and Family Residential Program.
Cumberland Youth & Family Services works hard to provide care and support that improves the quality of life for youth in foster care, young adults aging out of care, and resilient single-parent families. Each program is designed to address residents’ specific needs based on the circumstances that brought them in, the level of care and support that serves them best, their goals, and their progress. One of the great things about Cumberland is that residents may transition between programs without moving. That ability to shift placement options based on needs or progress is an important stabilizing force not often found in programs like this.
Cumberland’s Shelter Services and Treatment Services programs are often referred to as the Children’s Residential Program. Cumberland is licensed to serve children and youth ages 5-18 but focuses primarily on meeting the needs of middle and high school-age students. All residents are placed by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
The Supervised Independent Living Program offers an extended foster care option to help young adults ages 18-22. The program is designed to ease the transition into adulthood for those aging out of care. During their stay, goals are set and achieved, they learn independent living skills, manage finances, and build healthy relationships. For those who want and need a spiritual component, it is available.
The Family Residential Program is for the family with a single adult (either a mother, a father, or a grandparent). The program provides stable, affordable, and safe housing for families who cannot afford housing and those with a history of abuse, domestic violence, and/or trauma. While there, the families receive supportive services to equip and empower them to be self-reliant and identify lasting strategies that will address the family’s unique needs.
Cumberland is now building a child placing agency. This will recruit and help with family-based foster homes. Right now in Denton County, there are only 25 foster homes for 170 children.
The Kiwanis Club invites Robson Ranch residents to check out this very worthwhile organization on their website, www.cumberlandservices.org.