MCHS to build group home, training facility

by Wally Northway

Published: September 1,2010

Tags: adoptions, children, children's services, non-profit organizations, nonprofits, workforce training

HARRISON COUNTY — Gov. Haley Barbour has awarded Mississippi Children’s Home Services (MCHS) a $3-million grant to develop a Long Term Workforce Housing Program as part of a Katrina Community Development Block Grant secured byBarbour shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

This grant will support the building of a new Gulf Coast group home and vocation training transitional workforce housing facility and program called the Mississippi Segue Program on 80 acres of land in Harrison County. This facility and program will supplement MCHS services already offered in South Mississippi including adoption, family preservation and reunification services as well as mental health services for children, youth in their homes

Thanks to this Community Development Block Grant that is administered through the Mississippi Development Authority and HUD, MCHS will build an 11,165-square-foot cottage-style 20-bed group home for transitional workforce housing and a 3,300-square-foot vocational training center where MCHS will run the Mississippi Segue Program to help address an increased demand for mental health and training services on the Gulf Coast while preparing clients to enter the workforce.

The Mississippi Segue Program is a six-to-nine month program for behaviorally challenged youth, aged 14-18, with specialized educational needs.

The Mississippi Segue Program will offer a full array of traditional therapeutic services, as well as a range of non-traditional therapeutic activities such as therapeutic recreation, ropes course, fishing, camping and other programming.

Established in 1912, MCHS is a 501(c)3 not-for profit organization with a statewide board of directors. The organization served over 30,000 children, youth and families statewide in 2009 alone through 11 service offices.