Youth Shelters Transitioning into Alcohol and Drug Abuse Facility for Teens

SAN ANGELO, TX – After years of serving the disadvantaged youth of San Angelo, the board of directors that oversees the Girls Home and the Children's Emergency Shelter will be transitioning to a new facility.

Years ago the shelter was created to house at-risk youth in the community. According to the board, "changing circumstances" have made it difficult to continue offering the service. The home will now transition to an accessible alcohol and drug abuse treatment facility for adolescents.

Under the direction of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of the Concho Valley (ADACCV), the shelter will become a residential and outpatient treatment facility for adolescents ages 13-17. ADACCV will also oversee the Transition Center, which assists local young people ages 16 – 26 who have left or "aged out” of the foster care system.

"As a board we began exploring options several years ago. Child Protective Services, the primary entity for placing children at the Girls Home and the Emergency Shelter, has continued to move away from placement in residential facilities such as ours and increased their emphasis on foster care and family placements," said the board. "The number placed with us has dramatically and steadily declined, now averaging from 0-4, total, between both facilities. With the staffing and accreditation requirements and other fixed expenses, this is unsustainable in the long term."

The transition should be completed by January of 2022.