St. Joseph Child Development Center

Tried taking to one of the workers asked them a simple question they said I don’t know. We both sat in silence for a second . Before she asked do I need anything else . But while I was talking she hanged up. My question was going to determine if this is a good place to go to. Are phones allowed yes or no.

I know very little about this place but so far I am not impressed absolutely disgusted and just hurt. My wife and I are currently pursuing an adoption with a child that is currently placed in this so called residential. During an email conversation with her therapist about visitation, I was told that we could come to visit the child anytime we wanted. I was also told that they required two initial on-campus visits and after those two on-campus visits, she would be able to go off campus with us. Once the two visits were completed, I asked again as I always do to make sure it was still ok before we made any plans for a family outing. It took the therapist a week to get back to me only to tell me that the child and I would have to complete a series of supervised visits. Mind that even in the beginning, I never expected the visits to even be unsupervised. Either way, we are fine with however the visits take place supervised or not. What I am upset over is that I feel that we are being treated differently because us and the child are starting to bond. I also feel like we have done something wrong and they are not telling us anything. During our last visit, I observe some things that probably does warrant a call to the abuse and neglect hotline as I and my wife both witnessed some neglectful behavior by the staff. Included in one of my previous emails, I had also let the therapist know that we wanted to plan to come and visit the child on the weekend and on a Saturday, due to school as we also have children that attend school. It would make sense to do it this way as We live two and a half hours from St Joe and our children do not get home from school until after 4 sometimes a little earlier but it depends on the bus route. As we was planning on going to visit with the child this past Saturday, I received an email this past Friday, the 22nd from the therapist stating that there was some behavior issues with the child and we needed to reschedule the visit. In addition to that, she stated that I needed to let her know in advance before we came to visit with said child. To tie all this to the point, I have sent this therapist several emails in the past asking for what the diagnosis is for the child as my wife and I are also supposed to be included in her treatment plan as we are the identified adoptive family. All of these emails have been ignored. At first I thought maybe I should just give it a little more time and maybe I will get a response. I have still yet to get a response. So now I do know that my emails are intentionally being ignored which is unacceptable. I would not recommend this place to any Foster Parent or SSW as it is truly a joke. I will say this the state is aware of this and is currently checking into it.

It’s ok I have a child doing inpatient treatment and it’s ok. It’s ain’t no 5 star Passages of Malibu or anything but the staff is nice. You get visits and your child come home on the weekend if they are following rules. They can have posters and Nintendo switch lite for a video game. They can have their own clothes and hygiene and cologne. You can bring them snacks and they keep it in their personal bins. They can have photos their own bed linens and blankets. It makes it easier for a child in treatment to have those little things from home to make it more comfortable and not so institutionalized.

I went to the annual picnic fundraiser and it is a fun day. An area for the kids to enjoy activities just for them. Plenty of food trucks and beverages both alcohol and not. It is a fun day to bet on wheel games and bingo and later on Saturday evening they have Black Jack tables. Great fun for a great organization. Look forward to it every year.

I think its sad that this place has bad reviews. And these reviews are based on peoples opinions about the overpricing and "pathetic beer". In my gracious opinion, it is a home for children and whatever prices they choose are for the possible reason of raising money for the home. So, anytime someone feels the need to put a 1 star review, lets think before we speak. You sound spoiled. Anywho, i had a wonderful time there and i'm so excited for the picnics 😊