Programs & Services
Empowering Futures.
Comprehensive Support for Youth in Foster Care
At Whaley Children’s Center, we offer a comprehensive range of programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of youth in foster care. From independent living support to educational opportunities and a whole systems approach, our focus is on empowering every child to achieve their fullest potential.
Mott Residence:
This building encompasses three separate cottages for our youth. Each cottage has eight individual bedrooms, a kitchenette, a living room, a dining room, restrooms, and laundry areas. The Mott Residence also includes a commercial kitchen, a Family Game Room for group activities, and a cafeteria.
Residential Group Homes:
Two different group homes are also living arrangement options for our youth. These homes can house up to six youth with individual bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and full kitchens in each. Youth living at the group homes come to campus regularly and participate in all of the same activities that the youth living on campus do.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Education
- The LaFontaine Learning Academy: Our on-grounds school offers a partnership with the Lansing Learning Hub, which, through its contract with 2nd Street Academy, can provide unique educational experiences on our campus to meet the individual needs of our diverse population through the power of building respectful and trusting relationships, empowering student voice, and valuing the individuality of each learner.
- Community School Partnerships: For children who attend school off-campus, we work closely with various public and charter schools within the community to ensure they have the support they need.
Clinical and Therapeutic
Each child at Whaley Children’s Center is assigned a master-level therapist who provides weekly individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention sessions. The therapists utilize evidence-based treatment approaches such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic therapy.
Case Management
Each child at Whaley Children’s Center is assigned a bachelor-level case manager who advocates for their best interests in court and meetings, completes required documentation of their needs, collaborates with caregivers and professionals, and provides aftercare services for 12 months following discharge, supporting youth as they transition to a lower level of care.
Food and Nutrition
Whaley Children’s Center ensures that daily meals meet MDE nutrition requirements and standards and strives to provide nutrition education to all residents. Whaley Children’s Center also offers daily supervised physical education and activities, both organized and unstructured, intended to maintain physical fitness and to promote the understanding of the short- and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
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- Food Service Civil Rights Complaint Policy Form
- Triennial Assessment of Wellness Policy Form
- Free Breakfast Summer Food Program Form
- Local Wellness Policy Update Form
Compliance
Our Compliance Team is dedicated to maintaining safety, quality, and licensing standards across Whaley Children’s Center. This includes weekly inspections of housing units and vehicles, daily camera reviews, and thorough checks of incident reports, medication passes, and safety supplies. The team ensures all operations meet state regulations and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Procedures, prioritizing the safety and well-being of every child in our care.
Referrals
Children are referred to Whaley Children’s Center through the Specialized Placement Division (SPD), which is in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), other residential treatment facilities, adoption entities (PARC), and the juvenile justice system. If you are a parent or family member searching for solutions, please contact the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHHS) or the Post-Adoption Resource Center (PARC) for additional assistance.