Mission: Our
Using Sanctuary practices and principles, we help youth and families overcome adversity and build positive futures within a safe, holistic, traumafocused environment that respects individuality, promotes healing, and strengthens community.
What is Harborcreek Youth Services?
Harborcreek Youth Services (HYS) is a trauma-informed behavioral healthcare agency that provides a wide range of residential and in-home services to children and their families from across Pennsylvania. Our campus is in the township of Harborcreek, a rural suburb just east of Erie, Pennsylvania. We have been caring for boys since 1911 when our agency was founded. Over the years, we have evolved to become a fully accredited, clinically driven child and family service organization.
In our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program, we serve male youth, ages 1218, who meet medical necessity criteria as
determined by a licensed psychiatrist and who are referred by Mental Health agencies, Children and Youth agencies, and Juvenile Justice agencies. Our program provides comprehensive treatment and support for youth dealing with behavioral health issues, specifically trauma-related concerns.
At Harborcreek Youth Services, we are committed to providing individualized care that addresses the unique needs of each child and family. Our team of experienced professionals incorporates evidence-based practices and therapeutic modalities to help youth heal from trauma, develop coping skills, and achieve their treatment goals.
Sanctuary® Certification
HYS adopted the Sanctuary Model® as a tool to work with children across a wide diagnostic spectrum. It stresses safety and healing for both clients and staff and is a process of organizational change.
Sanctuary serves as a trauma-focused model more than a treatment intervention, and it’s the way we organize our treatment and how we run our agency. It is an “everybody” model because it’s a way of guiding leaders, staff, children, and families to share the same values and language.
When a new program participant walks in the door, they join a treatment community that embraces the Sanctuary Model®. That means HYS is committed to beginning and continuing our relationship with each young person by acknowledging the importance and impact of where they’ve been and engaging with them to create a safe therapeutic space.
The Sanctuary Model® is based on seven shared commitments:
• Nonviolence: Making choices to stay safe physically, emotionally, socially and morally
• Emotional Intelligence: Managing our feelings so we don’t hurt ourselves or others
• Social Learning: Respecting and sharing the ideas of our teams
• Shared Governance: Giving everyone a voice in decision-making
• Open Communication: Saying what we mean and not being mean when we say it
• Social Responsibility: Recognizing that together we accomplish more, and that everyone makes a contribution to our organizational culture
• Growth and Change: Creating hope for our clients and ourselves
At HYS, we see youth who have all had differing levels of exposure to trauma. This can occur as single, repeated, or sustained/chronic instances, in a variety of environments and forms. While the individual circumstances that bring a young person to HYS may vary, what every client has in common is a history of these types of more complex trauma. Many kids entering treatment have a history of abuse, neglect, food insecurity, poverty, and other complicated issues that require the highest level of behavioral health care.
Understanding Complex Trauma
We help kids heal from the effects of complex trauma.
At HYS, we provide comprehensive treatment and support to youth who have experienced trauma and have complex behavioral health needs. Our goal is to help these young people heal, develop new skills, and overcome the effects of such trauma. We offer a range of evidence-based and trauma-informed therapies to address their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs. Our treatment model incorporates individual and group therapy, as well as multisensory approaches to ensure personalized care for each youth.
Our model does not rely solely on traditional talk therapy, but also gives these young people other ways to express how trauma has impacted them. Progress can often be seen in ways like improved family relationships, physical and mental health improvements, and educational milestones and is measured across a spectrum. Additionally, we prioritize family involvement and collaboration to maintain and improve vital relationships during the treatment process.
While we can’t change a child’s past, we can equip them with skills, tools, resources, and support for a much brighter future.
Clinical Services
Our Goals
Helping Youth Heal and Thrive
• Resolve past traumas and develop coping skills tailored to their developmental level.
• Stabilize behavioral health issues through individualized support.
• Assist in creating discharge plans encompassing supervision, family connection, and ongoing treatment services. Comprehensive and Collaborative Care
• Utilize multisensory therapeutic techniques to address trauma’s impact on physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Collaborate with professionals and agencies to ensure comprehensive care.
• Cultivate a nurturing and supportive treatment community through the Sanctuary Model®.
Empowering Positive Futures
• Identify and enhance protective factors while reducing risk factors for better decision-making.
• Safely reintegrate youth into their families, neighborhoods, and communities.
Trauma-Informed Approach and Treatment
• Promote safety, healing, and mutual respect for both clients and staff.
• Provide holistic and trauma-focused treatment personalized to individual needs.
• Foster the development of positive coping mechanisms and essential life skills.
• Encourage active family involvement in assessment and treatment processes.
• Empower youth to envision and actively pursue a brighter future.
Therapeutic Services
Healing is at the heart of our work. We are a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and as such, all programs and services are focused on the mental health needs of the kids we serve. Child Psychiatric Services are provided for all residents. Psychiatry staff oversee treatment planning, evaluation, consultation, medication management, and the provision of all medical treatment while providing clinical leadership to the Treatment Team.
Therapeutic services are provided in individual, family, and group formats. In addition to the daily support provided by unit and agency personnel, clients are paired with both a Master’s level therapist and a childcare counselor who work intensively to reach the clients’ individualized treatment goals.
Working as a Team
We recognize the critical role of families, caregivers, and other supports in a young person’s treatment journey. Our services are provided in a team format, aligning with our commitment to the Sanctuary Model®. The HYS treatment team consists of all the staff members who support or provide care to the youth, including the client themselves and their family, to ensure that all aspects of their care are considered and coordinated effectively.
Each client’s Interagency Treatment Team encompasses unit staff, HYS education staff, home school district staff,
Some of the treatment modalities that build the foundation of our Developmental Trauma Model include:
• Progressive Counting
• Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• The Good Life Program
• Multisensory Therapies
• Ukeru®
resource managers, child psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners, therapists, clinical directors, finance and treatment services directors, referral agencies, county mental health or managed care representatives, probation officers and/or caseworkers, and the youth’s parents or family resources. We believe that involving families in the assessment, planning, and treatment process is essential to providing high-quality services. By bringing together this multidisciplinary group, we create a comprehensive support network to address the youth’s unique needs and circumstances.
Residential Services
Our Admissions & Intake Process
Harborcreek Youth Services has an Admissions Team to review referrals. The team consists of two Intake Coordinators, an Admissions Coordinator, Compliance Officer, Clinical Director and the Directors of Nursing, Residential Services, Finance and Treatment Services, and Education. The Team reviews every referral and determines the acceptance and any initial goals impacting admission of each youth. More information on contacting our Admissions Department can be found on the back of this booklet.
Healthcare & Wellness
Harborcreek Youth Services is committed to providing an environment that promotes client wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total residential and learning environment.
Comprehensive medical and healthcare services are provided to all clients, including those in the Residential Program. The services offered range from medical, dental, and vision care, with our Medical Department providing direct nursing care and acting as liaisons with other healthcare professionals. Our program also offers substance abuse counseling and focuses on client wellness, nutrition, and physical activity.
Residential Life
Our daily routine revolves around community engagement and skill-building. From daily meetings to problem-solving groups and chores, every aspect of our program is designed to promote growth and development. Youth reside in on-campus dormitories tailored to their individual needs, receiving intensive treatment customized to their chronological, developmental, and social functioning levels.
In addition to academic pursuits, a typical day for our clients includes a variety of activities aimed at holistic well-being. From skill-building psycho-education groups to recreational outings and supervised family visitation hours, we offer a comprehensive range of services to support our residents' needs. Our on-site medical department, staffed by licensed professionals, ensures that youth receive necessary healthcare services, including routine check-ups and medication administration.
Residential
for
Life at HYS offers a nurturing and structured environment
youth with complex behavioral health concerns. Embracing the Sanctuary Model®, our program acknowledges the impact of past experiences and fosters a supportive space for youth to achieve their goals.
HYS boasts extensive outdoor facilities, providing ample opportunities for recreational activities. With over 60 acres of land, specialized athletic fields, and a full-sized swimming pool, our campus encourages physical activity and teamwork. Additionally, we organize outings to local sporting events, museums, and community parks, enriching our residents' experiences and promoting community integration.
Structured therapeutic activities are woven into our program, promoting social skills, selfesteem, and community building. From on-campus sports to arts and crafts, our staff members engage youth in a variety of activities aimed at personal growth and development. Our beautiful campus features amenities such as a Sanctuary labyrinth, zen garden, therapy garden, and outdoor basketball courts, providing serene spaces for reflection and relaxation. In addition, Harborcreek Youth Services has a well-established Youth Advisory Board that provides input and relevant feedback on a wide array of issues ranging from food to recreation and other aspects of the residential life experience.
Our educational program curriculum includes everything a students’ home district would provide, including:
• Math
• Language arts
• Reading
• Science
• Social studies
• Physical education
• Health
• Employability skills
• Community servicelearning projects
Learning
at the John & Gertrude Petersen Education Center
Harborcreek Youth Services’ Educational Program is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Private Residential Rehabilitative Institutions (PRRI). Our on-campus school, the John & Gertrude Petersen Education Center, is staffed by Pennsylvania-certified teachers.
In collaboration with the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit and local school districts, we have developed a highly structured and individualized program to meet the needs of each student.
Our curriculum provides stability, consistency, and support in a learning environment that fosters academic success. We offer regular and special education services, credit recovery, and the Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training Alliance (PACTT) vocational program. All our teachers hold Pennsylvania certification, and our Special Education program is compliance-monitored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Our programs incorporate service-learning projects, employability skills, and skill-building. We also offer counseling and parenting classes.
Our goal is to eventually reintegrate students into public education. We equip them with the necessary tools for self-discipline, self-control, concentration, and motivation,
ensuring they are focused and prepared for success in a public-school setting. We involve the students’ home school district in the planning process to facilitate a seamless transition back into the community. Within 30 days of admission, we implement Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and modifications. As the child progresses, we regularly discuss educational changes with a multi-disciplinary team, including parents, regular education teachers, special education teachers, and representatives from our local education agency.
The Father Fahey Memorial Scholarship Program is available to current and former Harborcreek Youth Services students who continue their education at a technical school, college, or university.
General Educational Development & Work Experience Programs
Harborcreek Youth Services offers a General Educational Development (GED) program to clients who have experienced little or no success in traditional educational settings, whose age suggests they will not complete their formal education, or whose placing agencies have requested that they be assigned to the program. Clients study independently in a guided classroom setting and/ or in extensive homework contracts in preparation for taking the GED.
In addition to our School Program, we have a Work Experience Program that teaches real-life skills and accepts clients who are studying for or who have already earned a diploma or GED. WEP enables clients to gain valuable work skills for independent living while earning a wage and enhancing their own self-perception and work ethic.
Harborcreek Youth Services is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, not-for-profit, child-and familyservice and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. 2022 marked our fifth consecutive successful accreditation cycle.
“[The goal is] to ensure that young people in residential admission receive a highquality academic education aligned with state standards and fully integrated with career training, so that students see the relevance of education and gain marketable skills to obtain a family-sustaining job that pays a real living wage.
- PACTT Program Founder Candace Putter
PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic Career/Technical Training)
Youth who have been admitted to psychiatric residential treatment face significant challenges when transitioning back to their communities. Many of them have not completed high school, which makes finding sustainable employment even more difficult in today’s economy. The PACTT program aims to enhance the academic, career, and technical training that youth receive while in residential treatment and in their home communities after returning.
For eligible students, our program emphasizes skills such as woodworking, CNC engraving, grounds maintenance, OSHA certifications, and various soft skills. Students can participate in hands-on activities such as landscaping, janitorial work, maintenance skills, woodworking & carpentry, and OSHA training. Our Bike Repair program helps kids identify if they have an interest in mechanics and engineering. If they do, they can progress to certified, in-demand job training programs in Small Engine Repair and Copper/Fiber Optic Cabling.
Reach Out to Us!
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TIM BORGIA
Residential Admissions Coordinator (814) 899-7664, ext. 329
Cell: (814) 434-4700
E-mail: tborgia@hys-erie.org
KIRSTY BROSS
Residential Intake Coordinator (814) 899-7664, ext. 312
Cell: (814) 434-4670
E-mail: kbross@hys-erie.org
GARY MACK
Residential Intake Coordinator (814) 899-7664, ext. 322
Cell: (814) 434-4696
E-mail: gmack@hys-erie.org