1. Contact Person: JohnYablonky
Title:Executive Director
Contact Phone: (313) 584-6077
Contact Email: jyablonky@christchildhouse.org
Name ofOrganization: ChristChildHouse of the ChristChildSocietyof Detroit
Address:
15751 JoyRoad
Detroit,MI 48228
Phone:(313) 584-6077
Fax: (313) 584-1148
Email: jyablonky@christchildhouse.org
Agency Tax Exempt #: 38-263-3756
Years ofService:78 years
Annual Budget:$1,974,000
List major fundingsources:
Approximate % of budget:
Feesfromgovernmentagencies:79.8%
Christ ChildSociety:6.8%
Private Contributions:13.1%
InvestmentIncome:0.3%
PreviousDIS Grants (Amount,purpose, dates):
ChristChildHouse received$2,000 from the DetroitIndustrial School forourcamp program in
2005.
ChristChildHouse received$3,000 fromthe DetroitIndustrial School for ourcultural and
educational outingsprogramin2013.
Program Title:LifeskillsProgram
Funds Requested:$5,000

2. Total Program Cost: $10,190
Numberof childrenbenefitingfromthisprogram: about28 boys peryear
Other income sourcesfor thisprogram: ChristChildHouse hasnot receivedanygrantsfora
comprehensive life skillscurriculumandprogram.We will continuetoseekgrantfundingandwill also
use private donationsandmoneyoutof the agency’s operatingbudget.
Briefdescriptionof project (including goals,target populationaffected,specificuse ofgrant monies):
Organizational Overview
Mission
Licensedbythe State of Michigan,ChristChildHouse isa nationallyrespected501(c)(3) agency
that isaccreditedbythe Council of AccreditationforFamiliesandChildren. ChristChildHouse
alsobelongstothe MichiganFederationforChildrenandFamilies. The missionof ChristChild
House isto “provide qualityprofessional andcomprehensivetreatmentprogramsforchildren
and familiesatriskthroughtherapeuticservicesfocusedonindividual treatment.” ChristChild
House’sphilosophy—“It’snevertoolate to have a happychildhood”—guidesthe agencyinits
mission.
Goals
The goals of ChristChildHouse are:
 to helpthe boysinthe agency’scare to overcome theirtraumaticpasts,
 to prepare eachchildto live andfunctioneffectivelyandsuccessfullyinafamilyhome inthe
community,and
 to place those childrenwaitingtobe adoptedwith their“foreverfamily.”
To achieve these goals,ChristChildHouse providesanextensive treatmentmilieuconsistingof
intensivetherapyandcasework,psychiatricservices,specializednursing,adoption,educational
supportservices,therapeuticrecreation,after-care services,andmore. ChristChildHouse
maintainsahighlyprofessional trainedstaff. Eachmemberof thisteam isdedicatedtobuilding
strongand lovingbondswiththe boyswhile creatingatherapeutic,highlystructured
individualizedtreatmentenvironmentthatwill helpthe boystorecoverandrebuildtheirlives.
Target populationaffected
The residentsof ChristChildHouse,ages5through17, sufferemotional,behavioral,and
developmental impairmentresultingfromsevere abuse andneglect. ChristChildHouse hasa
capacityof 31 residents;however,throughoutayear’stime the agencyservesabout40 boys.
About75% of the boysat the House are permanentwardsof the state of Michigan (their
parents’rightsare permanentlyterminated). Approximatelyhalf of the boysare fromDetroitor

3. Wayne County,while the otherhalf are fromvarious countiesthroughoutthe state, referred to
ChristChildHouse because of itsstrongreputationforexcellentresidential care.
The boys are in the Michiganfostercare systembutare unable toremainina familyhome at
presentdue totheirneedsandbehaviors.Asaresultof the closure of many residential
treatmentcentersandthe state’spsychiatrichospitals,the residentsatChristChildHouse are
presentingmore severe mentalhealthimpairmentsthaneverbefore. Manyof these issuesstem
fromexperiencesof abuse andneglectandconditionsof povertythroughthe course of the
boys’development.These issues,then,greatlyhinderthe boys’abilitytobe buildhealthy
relationships,focusinthe classroomsetting,respondappropriatelytoconflict,and expresstheir
emotionsappropriately,amongotherthings. The boys,then,have manybarrierstosuccessin
and outside the classroom.These socio-emotionalandacademicbarriersingrade school seta
childupfor failure inthe longterm.Itis a viciouscycle,unlesswe are able tointerruptthe
processand empowerthe boys,providingthemtoolstoconstructpositiverelationships,
succeedinthe academicenvironment,andbe self-sufficientinaddressingeverydayneeds.
Project Goals
The vast majorityof youngpeople inMichigan’sfostercare systemare victimsof abuse and
neglect. Some returntotheirbiological parentsorare placedwithrelatives,othersare
adopted;but,unfortunately,the majorityof fosterchildrensimplyremainincare until they “age
out” of the system,usuallyaroundage 18 or 19. These youngpeople enteradultlife withoutan
adultsupportstructure and withoutimportantlifeskills. Theyhave nojob,no family,andno
ideahowto handle theirnewindependence. Non-fostercare youthtypicallyreceiveongoing
emotional andfinancial supportastheytransitiontoadulthoodfromstable familiesand
communities.However,youthagingoutof the fostercare systemoftenfindthemselvestrying
to transitionwithoutthe benefitof these supports. Infact,fostercare youthare ill preparedfor
thistransition.
Studiesof aging-outfostercare youthpresentaconsistentpicture:higherratesof
homelessness,unemployment,lesseducation,andgreatersubstance abuse whencompared
withnon-fostercare youthinthe same age group. Statisticsalsoindicate thatfostercare youth
are more likelytohave poorermental andphysical healthandare more likelytobe involved
withthe legal system. Otherinformationindicatesthatfostercare youthare at highriskfor
domesticviolence andpoverty, astheylackthe instructionandsupportthatotheryouthreceive
fromparentsand otheradults. The needto provide supportstothese at-riskyouthasthey
transitionfromthe childwelfare systemtoindependentlivingisunquestionable.
Skill andresilience developmenttohelpfostercare youthisa processthat takestime.It
requiressystematiceducationinadditiontothe skillsgainedthroughthe formal academic
systemtotarget the developmentof other,non-academicskills.The childrenatChristChild
House didnot receive the nurturingparentingthatotherchildrenenjoy.Theylackbasicskills
regardinghowto navigate social andwork-relatedsettings.The cultural deprivationnotonlyhas

4. implicationsinthe boys’abilitytobe successful inschool andsocial settings,butcouldhave
significantimplicationsfortheirsuccessinthe future if notaddressed.
ChristChildHouse is doingitspart to helpthe youth developthe skillsnecessary throughanew
program called LifeSkills. Many life skillsprogramsdonotbeginuntil laterinadolescence when
youthare close to“aging out” of the fostercare system. However,ourprogramwill teachage-
appropriate LifeSkills beginningatayoungerage.We will divideourresidentsintotwogroups
basedon age and developmental stage,addressingage-appropriatetopics.
Topicareas of the programwill include social skills,work-relatedsocialskills,conflict
managementskills,relationshipskills,andtransitional skillsnecessaryforindependentliving
(full listof topicslistedinthe curriculumbudget). JamesStanfield’sinnovative research-based
curriculumwill serve asthe foundationforthe LifeSkills program. The Stanfieldcurriculumuses
a VideoModeling social learningsystemtoenable“vicarious”social skillstraining.Professional
actors model appropriate behaviorsandactionstocommonsocial andwork situations,
demonstratingvisuallytothe audience how toimplementthe skillsbeingaddressedinthe
curriculum.Research-based“VideoModeling”isawidelyusedandengagingtechnique that
significantlyenhancesthe learners’abilitytograspconcepts. Thisisa particularlyimportant
curriculummodel forthe boysat ChristChildHouse,ascapturingtheirattentionisoftena
challenge.VideoModelingisastimulatingandeffectivewaytocommunicate important
messages. Inadditiontothe instructional videos,eachlessonincludesteacher’sguidesto direct
discussionandworksheetsforinteractive studentparticipation.
The primarygoal of Life Skills is to helpthe boysat ChristChildHouse succeedbyequipping
themwiththe skillsandknowledge thatwill ultimatelyallow themtothrive independentlyin
the community. Life Skills will addto the therapyandindividualizedtreatment already
provided. ChristChildHouse strivestoachievethe followingoutcomes:
 increasedcapabilitiesindailylivingandhome life skills;
 improvementinemotional andbehavioral copingskills;
 greatercompetenciesinsocializationskills(withpeersandadults);and
 demonstratedunderstandingof positive alternativesinconflictresolutionandanger
management.
The program preparesthe boysfor the “real world”outside of a closelymonitoredresidential
setting. Notonly will the boyspickupimportantdailylivingskillsthroughthese activities,but
theywill alsolearnresponsibilityandsocial skills,aswell ashow tocommunicate effectively.
Fundingforthisprogram isvital to ensuringthatChristChildHouse continuesitscommitmentof
providingprogramsandservicesthathelpbreakthe cycle of institutionalization.
SpecificUse of GrantMonies
The securedgrant moneywill be usedtopurchase the mostrelevanttopicswithinthe research-based
JamesStanfieldLifeSkillscurriculumappropriateforthe particularneedsof the populationatChrist
ChildHouse.Additionally,itwill provide suppliesneedtocomplimentthe sessionsforone year(paper,

5. printing,etc.).Finally,itwill fundthe facilitationandimplementationof the program, including1.5
hoursa weekorsalaryfor twofacilitators –one forthe olderboys’groupand one for the youngerboys’
group.
LIFESKILLS PROGRAM BUDGET
Line Item Cost Notes
Curriculum(JamesStanfield) $ 6,090.00 See Worksheet2- Includes28 Subtopics
Supplies $ 500.00
Peryear materialscost(includesprinting
and office supplies)
LifeSkillsFacilitator- OlderBoys $ 1,800.00
Basedon $25/hr salary,1.5 hr/wk(.5 hr for
prep),and48 weeksof instructionperyear
LifeSkillsFacilitator- YoungerBoys $ 1,800.00
Basedon $25/hr salary,1.5 hr/wk(.5 hr for
prep),and48 weeksof instructionperyear
Total $ 10,190.00

6. LIFESKILLS CURRICULUM BUDGET
Technical Skills Category Subtopic Price
LifeSmart SafetySmart AvoidingHazardsandAccidents $ 499.00
How to getEmergencyHelp
FirstImpressions Hygiene $ 799.00
Grooming
Dress
Attitude
LivingwithOthers CommunityMan CommunityResources $ 999.00
Home of Your Own Cooperative LivingSkills
Mind Your Manners Etiquette
Behavioraccrossssettings
Publictransportation
Subtotal $ 2,297.00
Socio-emotional
Skills
LifeSmart PeopleSmart Basic FriendshipSkills $ 499.00
Whenand WhenNotto Trust
LifeSmart MoneySmart Financial FitnessStrategies $ 499.00
How to AvoidFinancial Pitfalls
LifeSmart DateSmart Abstinence andSaying"No" $ 499.00
AvoidingTrouble,ListeningforNo
LifeSmart JobSmart AvoidingTrouble OnThe Job $ 499.00
JobSafe and Prod.Attitudes
ConflictResolution LowerElementary CopingwithCriticism $ 599.00
Copingwith Teasing
CopingwithBullying
CopingwithAnger/Self
CopingwithAnger/Others
ConflictResolution
Middle School:
BeCool CopingwithCriticism $ 599.00
CopingwithTeasing
CopingwithBullying
CopingwithAnger/Self
CopingwithAnger/Others
ConflictResolution Middle School 2 Give and Take vs.Demands $ 599.00
Give and Take vs.Intimidation
Give and Take vs.Threats
Give and Take vs.Insolence
Subtotal $ 3,793.00
TOTAL $ 6,090.00