Bridge Receiving Center accepts children new to the foster care system 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with welcoming staff and services they need. See updates on our Snohomish County facility.
a "Soft Landing"
We have developed a therapeutic camp-like program where children, ages 4-17, find an immediate safe place to stay for up to 30-60 days while preparing for their first placement with a foster family or a return home. This program results in greater stability for the children with fewer multiple placements. The Center accepts children anytime, day or night, with the welcoming staff and services kids need. Bridge is a “soft landing” from the chaotic trauma leading to a child’s removal from their home. Our focus is on reinforcing the supportive family ties whenever possible. For those children who enter care but are quickly returned to a family member’s home in the first 30 days, our Center is a much less traumatic experience. Whenever possible, we provide provisions for siblings to stay together.
Preserving Families
We are also extending our services to support families in a new way. Bridge is now working with the state’s Family Preservation Services to provide safe spaces for children whose parents are working on issues causing difficulties in their families. Parents can voluntarily choose to have their children come to Bridge so they can devote their full time and attention to the challenging issues in their lives. Our hope is that, by offering this new service, we can give families the opportunity to heal, and their children can return home without ever entering foster care.
Trauma-responsive care
Children receive individualized tutoring, counseling and help in learning coping strategies. All staff is trained in Trauma Informed Care and understand the importance of creating a sense of safety and loving support. Having access to state-of-the-art camp next door provides recreational activities that create a sense of adventure, develop self-esteem, and provide for healthy interaction between staff and fellow residents. Creating a supportive, welcoming environment is core to our mission. The children reside with peers who are in a similar situation, receiving the comfort of knowing they are not alone in their struggles. Activities include time at a local children’s camp, animal experiences at a local farm and other excursions and outdoor experiences.
Better Placements
Because Bridge Receiving Center gives the courts more time to find the best placement for a child, we have time to provide the emotional, psychological, academic, and medical assessments that best aid the child. When a child returns home or is placed with a foster family, these transitions are celebrated as a positive step during a difficult time, while giving space to the child to also grieve this outcome, if necessary.
Our staff explain to the children their rights and responsibilities thus helping them find their voice in a difficult time. Children are able to ask their questions regarding what is happening to them, their parents, and their siblings.
As placement is facilitated, children have the opportunity to meet their potential foster families in a safe, fun setting prior to placement. This leads to a smoother transition to their new home. Since children often come without belongings of their own, they leave Bridge Receiving Center with whatever they need to start their journey ahead thanks to the donations of our wonderful supports.
Reduced Caseloads
On average 38% of the children brought into care return to a family member within the first 30 days. Having up to a 30 day transition period at the Center will result in a reduction in the need to identify licensed foster families. This leads to a reduced need for foster families in general.
At Bridge Receiving Center, we have seen over 65% of the children we serve reunified with their families/extended families.