Home Away from Home
Posted by Rich Randolph
on Apr 04, 2015
Home Away From Home ~ Valley of the Moon Children's Home
Meg Easter-Dawson knows well a youth’s need for a “Time-Out”. Since 2006 she has been helping children between infancy and 17 years adjust to a necessary change in their supervision following intervention by professionals in County Human Services, the Court, or Law Enforcement. Meg leads Valley of the Moon Children’s Home Program and Volunteer Development Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit organization established to support the County" only 24 hour emergency shelter for abused and neglected children.
Organized in the 1960’s, VOMCH originally operated under the County’s Juvenile Justice Administration. During the 1990’s a growing recognition that the children were in need of more Human Services support than correctional guidance, administration of the Home was transferred to County Human Services.
Among the approaches available for children to bridge their circumstances is a “walk & talk” activity, simply meandering around the grounds, which include a garden and age appropriate play equipment, yet with a trained adult to listen and encourage.
Children are provided with a professional multi-disciplined assessment to assist in meeting unmet needs. Children under six years are best served in private homes, screened by VOMCH for Foster Care. Approximately 150 homes are certified by VOMCH, and other agencies in the County have similar resources. Each year almost 200 children are provided this transitional alternative to their family, and the average length of stay is one month.
A normal as possible routine is offered, with gender separate rooms, some children sharing with another in the boy/girl segregated congregate style setting. Meals are communal, and some meat is donated from County Fair livestock auctions.
Adding to the Home’s friendly atmosphere are specially prepared “Blue Bags” with paired clothing, a book, and toy. Sunrise Rotarian Tom Eakin’s son James developed his Eagle Scout Project by designing and implementing these greeting bags. Elsie Allen Interactors, with the guidance of Faculty Advisor Doug Gibson and Sunrise Rotarian’s Ross and Stacey have made colorful wooden toys such as Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Rockets and others.
While not always everyone’s favorite place to be, Valley of the Moon Children’s Home is certainly the right place to be during domestic disturbance or parental dysfunction. Meg has brought many professional and community resources together to create a safe, nurturing residence for children during a crisis. As one former child, now college graduate illustrates with her lovingly held greeting bag quilt, the care she received years earlier, continues to warm her heart as well as her skin.
Organized in the 1960’s, VOMCH originally operated under the County’s Juvenile Justice Administration. During the 1990’s a growing recognition that the children were in need of more Human Services support than correctional guidance, administration of the Home was transferred to County Human Services.
Among the approaches available for children to bridge their circumstances is a “walk & talk” activity, simply meandering around the grounds, which include a garden and age appropriate play equipment, yet with a trained adult to listen and encourage.
Children are provided with a professional multi-disciplined assessment to assist in meeting unmet needs. Children under six years are best served in private homes, screened by VOMCH for Foster Care. Approximately 150 homes are certified by VOMCH, and other agencies in the County have similar resources. Each year almost 200 children are provided this transitional alternative to their family, and the average length of stay is one month.
A normal as possible routine is offered, with gender separate rooms, some children sharing with another in the boy/girl segregated congregate style setting. Meals are communal, and some meat is donated from County Fair livestock auctions.
Adding to the Home’s friendly atmosphere are specially prepared “Blue Bags” with paired clothing, a book, and toy. Sunrise Rotarian Tom Eakin’s son James developed his Eagle Scout Project by designing and implementing these greeting bags. Elsie Allen Interactors, with the guidance of Faculty Advisor Doug Gibson and Sunrise Rotarian’s Ross and Stacey have made colorful wooden toys such as Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Rockets and others.
While not always everyone’s favorite place to be, Valley of the Moon Children’s Home is certainly the right place to be during domestic disturbance or parental dysfunction. Meg has brought many professional and community resources together to create a safe, nurturing residence for children during a crisis. As one former child, now college graduate illustrates with her lovingly held greeting bag quilt, the care she received years earlier, continues to warm her heart as well as her skin.
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