By: Jackie Harrison

Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers, Inc. operates Residential After-Care Services supported by Promoting Safe and Stable Families. The program prepares the child who is receiving treatment services at Murphy-Harpst for a successful return to the home and community, and provides follow-up services for up to one year.

Governor Perdue made a visit to Murphy-Harpst on August 3, 2006. We invited Robert, his mother and grandmother to meet the Governor during his visit. Robert is one of our Residential After-Care success stories. Our CEO, Joanne Simmons, has also spotlighted his case story for our Annual Report.

This is the story of an 11-year-old young man in DFCS custody from Catoosa County. From the
beginning of his arrival in our residential placement in January 2005, his mother and grandmother faithfully came to see him on campus each week. Despite very limited finances and an old 'beat up' car, they traveled the 180-mile trip. Mary Wilson, our care coordinator began working with this family and because of her support, they were able to finish their DFCS case plan. Robert went home in June 2006 and we are continuing to serve them as part of our follow-up support services.

The Governor heard that our Residential After-Care program was funded by PSSF funds and this is also mentioned in our Annual Report.

Note: Murphy-Harpst was also featured in a cover story in the Coosa Valley Living magazine (serving Bartow, Floyd, Gordon and Polk Counties) as “a special place for children.” In the article, President and Chief Executive Officer Joanne Simmons explained that, “For many of these children (with severe emotional, behavioral, psychological and/or psychiatric problems), we are their last chance to become stable and whole again.”

Simmons also noted that, from the moment of admission, Murphy-Harpst starts planning for discharge. “This is not a place for a child to be raised. This is a place for a child in need to receive therapy by trained psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists.” The agency is launching a capital campaign for a new treatment center in Floyd County.