Residential Treatment

Allendale Association's Residential Treatment Programs and Services mirror many of the ideals that were instituted with "Cap" Bradley's homelike family and community setting in the 1890's.  Under the guidance of professionally trained staff, each resident learns the qualities of courtesy, cooperation, and willing service in the normal give and take of family and community life. In these carefully designed therapeutic group settings, close attention is paid to individual needs.

The cornerstone and largest component of Allendale is our 148 bed residential treatment program which includes a 100 acre main campus on Cedar Lake in Lake Villa, IL, a 20-bed facility in Benet Lake, WI (approximately 15 miles north of the main campus), two community based group homes in Waukegan, IL and a community based group home for girls in Highland Park, IL.  Individual units serve as homes for 8-14 children or adolescents and are designed to serve a particular population grouped by age, diagnostic profile, and social/emotional functioning level. These programs serve both male and female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7-21 who are experiencing a wide variety of problems. The more common "labels" are emotional/behavioral disability, oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.  While each child's course of treatment is individualized, the following treatment components are available to all in placement, as determined by multidisciplinary treatment planning:

• Psychological Testing and Assessment
• Psychiatric Services and Consultation
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Family Therapy
• Process Oriented Psychotherapy Groups
• Psycho educational Group Counseling
• Therapeutic Milieu Based Treatment
• Diagnostic Educational Assessment
• Individualized Education Planning
• On Campus special Education or Local Public School Attendance
• Therapeutic Recreation and Experiential Outdoor Education
• Vocational Assessment and Training (14 yrs and older)
• Substance Abuse Assessment and Education

The goal is to help children overcome hardships and benefit from a living environment that addresses problems while focusing on strengths and the development of strong, healthy relationships.

Allendale's Specialized and Traditional Foster Care Program serves a population ranging from childhood to adolescence.  Youth within this program range from medically complex to children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges.  These specialized homes are licensed, monitored and supported by Allendale professionals with training backgrounds in human services, social work, psychology, psychiatry, and special education.  For more information click here.

Independent Living is a program designed for older adolescents, 17-21 years of age, needing support for transition to adult life.  Community placements are supported by a variety of case management services, community linkage support, life skills counseling, therapy, crisis intervention, as well as educational and vocational opportunities and training.

The Community Support Program & Wraparound/Mentoring Services focus on prevention of restrictive placements by working closely with local public schools and community mental health systems to promote early identification of children and adolescents at risk of serious emotional or behavioral problems.  Support services can be delivered in home, based on individual and family strengths and needs, as well as child and family team recommendations.

Transitional Living Program offers 2 sets of aggregate apartment housing with 24 hours of on-site supervision for youth ages 17-20 preparing to live on their own.  Program sites are in Waukegan and Zion, IL.  The program provides furnishings, case management, community service linkage, and advocacy.

Education

Allendale offers a full continuum of educational services ranging from full time attendance in the on campus special education program to full time attendance at public schools.  The Elizabeth Morse Education Center, on the main campus, provides services to residents of Allendale as well as the Stepping Stone Day Treatment Education program for children from neighboring communities.  There are additional schools for the residents of Benet Lake as well as the Treatment School in Woodstock, IL (LINC - Learning Increases through Networking in the Community).

Students are initially assessed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of teachers, educational diagnosticians, social workers, psychologist, psychiatrist, nurses and related therapist.  A comprehensive curriculum is offered to help students make academic and behavioral progress.  Instruction is small enough (no more than 10 students in a class) to offer curriculum modification and individualized support.  Classes are offered in all core curriculum areas as well as a wide variety of enrichment classes including art therapy, music therapy, physical and experiential education, recreation, horticulture, with a strong emphasis in comprehensive vocational education, assessment training, outdoor education, job preparation and placement.  Related services such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, learning disability remediation, group and family counseling or psychotherapy are offered.

The main campus program includes collaboration between Allendale and local public schools, offering students the opportunity to transition into public schools when appropriate.  A variety of vocational experiences ranging from on campus tutorials to attendance at the Lake County High School Technical Campus are provided to students 14 years and older.  Work placements are available on campus and through community employment.