The Williams House is a 32-bed assessment center/shelter that was licensed by the Department of Family and Protective Services in 1992. Crisis intervention and mental health services are provided to children (male or female) ages 5 to 17. Services focus on the needs of each child’s individual situation, and are being provided to a unique population who is not progressing in other residential programs or are being removed from an abusive situation and coming into DFPS custody for the first time.
The mission of The Williams House is to focus on the value of the child and how to help them move forward from the crisis. In keeping with this mission, comprehensive mental health assessments are compiled in order to make informed decisions regarding appropriate placement for a child.
The intervention strategies that have been developed as an integral part of this highly successful crisis intervention program, empowers the approximate 500 children served annually, to be active participants in life changing decisions that are being made for them.
The strength of this program is to meet the individual needs of each child. This program’s strength, since its inception in 1992, is the unique focus on the needs of each individual child. Everyone associated with this program knows all decisions will be based on what is best for the child. A culturally diverse population of childcare professionals staffs this program, and each one is attuned to respond to the needs of each individual child and not to try to implement a cookie cutter standard for the program. Staff is involved with helping the child move from this placement to a more permanent placement from the day they arrive. Children are staffed weekly and each staff is made aware of current circumstances of children and strategies are discussed on how to meet the individual needs of each child.
Educational services are provided to the children with a Charter School operated by John H. Wood Jr. Charter District. John H. Wood Jr. Charter is “dedicated to the success of each student-not only as a learner, but as a person.”
Youth are referred to this program by DFPS from all regions of Texas. Referrals to this program are children generally from economically deprived families of very diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnicity. This program is well known to and recommended by, DFPS personnel, CASA, Adleitums and Judges. On numerous occasions judges have court ordered children to this program and though the program is designed as a temporary 90-day placement some children are here for extended periods of time. One young man was here for 14 months at the order of a judge. This was the only placement where he had achieved stability and the judge was not willing to risk another breakdown.