COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Buckeye Ranch in central Ohio has introduced the Healing Alternatives for Youth (HAY) program to address the needs of high-risk children entering the foster care system, many of whom have experienced significant trauma. This program, unique to Franklin County, focuses on providing placement, stabilization, and treatment for these vulnerable youth.
Lindsay Williams, Vice President of Child Welfare Services at The Buckeye Ranch, highlights the program’s emphasis on addressing the intensive needs of traumatized youth, aiming to prevent situations where children spend nights in agency lobbies. Local foster parent Rev. Belinda Woods was drawn to the program’s mission of ensuring no child in Franklin County sleeps in an office due to lack of placement. The HAY program aims to swiftly connect traumatized children with essential resources to stabilize them, recognizing early intervention as critical for their well-being.
