[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SOUTHERN HOMES SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2000

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Southern 
Homes Services (SHS) as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. Since 1840 
SHS has provided quality services to preserve, build and stabilize the 
lives of children and families within their communities.
  During the first 100 years of its existence SHS provided services for 
youngsters who had been placed in its care because of the death of 
their fathers and the mothers' inability to care for their children. 
But, in the early 1950's SHS refocused its mission. The result was the 
adoption of a psychiatric residential treatment program for children 
that included support services for their families.
  Today SHS is a multi-disciplined, multi-facility that is licensed as 
a Residential Treatment Facility. Annually it provides comprehensive 
services to more than 2,000 children and adolescents with severe 
emotional problems. Its comprehensive mental health and social services 
include: foster and kinship care; residential treatment services; an 
on-site licensed private school; outpatient mental health and 
psychiatric services; in-home family preservation services; and mentor/
volunteer opportunities.
  In February 2000, SHS became one of the first children's services 
agency to be accredited as a behavioral Healthcare Organization by the 
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
  In recognition of its 15 decades of providing critical services to 
at-risk children when their families are the most vulnerable, I join 
SHS as it celebrates this important milestone.

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