Sheridan House Residential Program

Program Overview For over thirty five years Sheridan House Family Ministries has provided residential care for children in the tri-county area of South Florida. We operate four group homes, two for boys and two for girls, for middle school children from the ages of 11 to 14. We offer assistance to families with children experiencing mild to moderate behavior problems which may include: school suspensions, difficulties or academic failure; disruptive family behavior; immaturity, acting out behaviors, poor impulse control, defiant and disrespectful behavior, procrastination and motivational problems.

The Sheridan House Residential Program is designed to intervene in the life of a child before dysfunctional behavior becomes a habitual lifestyle. Our chief objective is to provide a caring environment in which the children develop essential life skills, accept responsibility for their behavior at home and school, and enter back into their home with parents fully equipped to care for them. Our deepest hope is that during this process each family member will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and fully experience the personal love that God the Father has for each of them.

A Five Day Program Sheridan House provides a “Five Day” residential treatment program in which the children return home on weekends and holidays. Using encouraging relationships, consistent accountability and a proven behavior modification program, we provide training in social skills, personal responsibility, accountability, discipline, communication, conflict management, and effective problem solving.

How We Do it The development of life skills are assessed every day and each child is awarded points for the successful completion of tasks and assignments. Daily assessment includes the review of public school reports focusing on academics and behavior as well as the child’s daily performance and attitude in the group home. In addition, the parents assess the child’s weekend progress, which in turn affects the child’s points and privileges during the program week. Graduation from the Sheridan House Residential Program is contingent on the child earning a total of 6000 points and is evidenced by substantial improvements in behavior, responsibility, and the use of effective life skills. The average stay at Sheridan House is ten to twelve months.

Parent Services Our commitment extends beyond the child at risk to include the most significant element of a child’s development…their parents. Sheridan House has an outstanding reputation for providing training, education, and emotional support to the parents of the children in our Residential Program. Through weekly parent training, support groups, and counseling we provide the foundation for the parents to gain the critical skills needed to successfully raise their child and reintegrate them back into the home and school.

Our goals for parents are:

• Develop a deeper more meaningful parent/child relationship.
• Strengthen the parent’s effectiveness to care and nurture their children.
• Understand the unique roles of the mother and father in raising a child.
• More fully understand the developmental and emotional needs of their children.
• Learn skills in implementing discipline through consistent and effective consequences.
• Develop effective communication patterns.
• Equip parents to maintain lines of communication that will continue the personal growth process established during their time at Sheridan House.

Graduation All of the boys and girls are expected to earn a minimum of 6,000 points before being eligible to graduate. In addition, parent, teacher, house parent, and behavioral specialist reports and observations are considered in determining the readiness to graduate.

Graduation is a time of great celebration for the many advancements the child has demonstrated during their stay at Sheridan House. Children (and their parents) graduating from our program are better equipped to navigate the many challenges of life. The future for Sheridan House graduates is now built upon accomplishments that include success at school, success at home, success in their relationships, and success in taking personal responsibility for their choices and actions.

Program Cost Sheridan House Family Ministries is a faith-based organization which is privately funded through charitable donations. We are able to offer help to families at a truly affordable fee, substantially below our cost. The weekly fee is $200.00 and reductions are available based on need.

Who to Contact For more information regarding Sheridan House for boys and girls contact: 954-583-1552