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Sunbelt accepts children
considered to be "at-risk", regardless of social, religious or
ethnic background. Typically our youth are referred to Sunbelt
by churches or someone close to the family that is concerned and
looking to get help for the child. Ultimately, in
the majority of the cases, the natural parents make a direct
placement of their child.
Unfortunately, we are unable to
accept everyone that applies. The reasons being that we have
placed internal restrictions on our program to assure quality,
funding and space limitations, and our ability to meet the child's
need.
Children placed with Sunbelt are
done so under a provisional custody agreement, where natural parents
extend guardianship to Sunbelt without relinquishing any of their
parental rights. If a parent decides that they wish to
withdraw their child, they are free to do so. Typically,
we are providing long term care at Sunbelt, although the goal is
always to reunite the child with their parents when the issues that
prompted them to become a resident at Sunbelt are no longer a
factor.
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Upon receiving a telephone call
from a parent, we ask them about their child and their situation and
based upon their circumstances, space, and our ability to handle the child at
the time, we may accept the child. Because it is impossible to
predict when we will have an opening, we do not normally maintain a
waiting list, however we do invite you to inquire regardless and we
may be able to refer you elsewhere.
Families are not charged a fee for
those students that we accept, however we do ask that they make some
kind of regular contribution if they are able. Failure to do
so does not result in your child being removed from the program as
this is a ministry; however any participation toward the care of
your child is especially appreciated.
We accept boys and girls!
We work with ages infant through 18;
however we do not accept any new resident that is over the age of
16. Children typically age out as they turn 18; however we have allowed students to remain at Sunbelt after they
turn 18 in cases when they are attempting to finish school.
The goal is to develop life skills and work ethic in the youth prior
to that time to give them the tools they need to be successful
adults after they leave our program.
We do not accept children who have mental or physical
handicaps which in the opinion of Sunbelt would impede our normal
ranch activities. We also do not accept youths that are
seriously violent (armed assaults, rapists, murders). We do
not accept sexual predators (abuse toward younger children) or those
that are heavily addicted to drugs presently. Children placed
at the ranch are placed in group homes with other children, two to a
room and the issue of maintaining a safe and secure home is
paramount to the success of our program. All children must be
able to learn to interact as part of a family, participating in
family activities.
We will consider taking a child
that has completed a drug rehab, where they have become dry from
their drug addiction upon completion of that program and a review.
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PARENT RESOURCES FOR A PARENT DEALING
WITH ISSUES RIGHT NOW:
We realize that when you are
dealing with issues right now, you need answers now.
We've gathered some resources for you.
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ARE
INTERESTED IN MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR ACCEPTANCE AT SUNBELT:
COMPLETE THIS INITIAL FORM
Although, we welcome your telephone call and would be happy to
discuss your personal situation with you, if you complete this form
in advance of that telephone call, it affords our staff an
opportunity to review the facts prior to that phone call. This
form is not an official application, but does allow us an
opportunity to better understand your circumstances so that we can
better assist you.
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