Who We Help: Children We Can Serve

Young girl holding a teddy bear in bed.Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services offers alternatives for youth who cannot remain in their own homes. PCHAS can only serve youth for whom group home or foster home care is the “least restrictive environment” allowed.

Children and Youth PCHAS Can Serve

  • Youth who need placement for a minimum of six months or longer.
  • Youth who are able to function in a local public school setting, both behaviorally and academically. (Children with special education needs can be served if those services are available in the public school.)
  • Youth with mild to moderate emotional disturbances.
  • Sibling groups.
  • Youth from all regions of Texas. (Youth from other states may be considered under special circumstances.)
  • Youth who are willing to enter placement.
  • Medically fragile children or children with significant mental retardation can be considered only for the Foster Care program.

Children and Youth PCHAS Can’t Serve

  • Youth who need 24-hour awake supervision.
  • Youth who are a danger to themselves or others, including those who are suicidal or highly aggressive.
  • Youth who are a chronic, serious runaway threat.
  • Youth who cannot be maintained in a public school setting.
  • Youth who refuse placement or demonstrate an unwillingness or inability to respond to verbal direction.
  • Youth who are seriously emotionally disturbed or mentally ill.
  • Youth who need daily professional medical care.
  • Youth with substance abuse as the primary presenting problem.
  • Youth who set fires.
  • Youth on probation for serious crimes.