During tough times, nothing is more important than being close to home – especially for children.
Children’s Resource Center Executive Director Janelle LaFond couldn’t agree more.
Thanks to the CRC’s new expanded residential unit, LaFond and her staff can continue treating short-term
hospitalized children in-house in a space that feels almost like home.
"We keep kids close to home and get them back to their home schools," she said. "We like
to keep those parts of their lives consistent."
The new residential unit reopened Feb. 17 after construction began last October. The unit had not been
remodeled since the CRC opened 30 years ago.
The original unit offered four bedrooms – two doubles and two singles. However, some children couldn’t be
placed with a roommate due to treatment needs, thus leaving some rooms unused.
"The atmosphere and the lighting weren’t good. It wasn’t as inviting," said Julie Wilhelm,
program manager. "Now it’s a lot lighter and there’s more space."
That new space includes eight single, dorm-style bedrooms, a handicap-accessible bathroom and an extended
living room area.
The CRC received $20,000 worth of new bedroom furniture from BGSU and a $150,000 match from the
community.
"The kids who had been in the unit before were very curious to see what it would look like,"
Wilhelm said. "They said, ‘wow, it looks so different.’ We’ve had a very positive response."

Most short-term hospitalizations range from two weeks to a month, and occupancy rates vary.
Children ages 2-17 can be referred for hospitalization by teachers, parents or CRC staff for two main
reasons.
"We have kids internalizing problems and may self-harm. We have younger kids aggressively acting out
and presenting a danger to themselves and others," LaFond said. "The majority of the times
when kids come in, the symptoms go away."
The expansion not only assisted in spacing issues, but with treatment as well.
Staff members use the expanded living room for group therapy using the Sanctuary Model. The model,
developed by Dr. Sandra Bloom, provides an understanding of trauma, its impact on children, and
interventions to help heal.
"We do most of our therapy together in the living room. It’s a homey atmosphere there," Wilhelm
said. "We do meals as a group and teach coping skills."
Just like at home, children in the renovated unit help keep it looking like new. They have a chore chart
and are responsible for keeping their rooms tidy.
They are also encouraged to make their new "homes" their own by hanging up pictures and
bringing their own comforters.
And with good behavior in the unit, children can earn special comforters to take home.
The Black Swamp Quilters donated handmade quilts to the CRC for children once they reach certain
behavioral goals.
"Wood County is a very, very supportive county and they’ve always supported mental health and
addiction services," LaFond said. "I work with such positive people who really want to help
kids and families."
Looking forward, LaFond knows the CRC isn’t quite home, but she’s hoping she and her staff get it pretty
close.
"I love what I do – building programs for kids and families," she said. "We help them
build up their quality of life."