Lenora A. Ashford
Treatment Director and Executive Management Child Care Specialist
Team Overview
YES employees complete a mandated orientation and are provided a hand book with policy and guidelines. All employees are regulated by DHS guidelines and State requirements for Mandated Child Abuse Reporting and Background Clearances for Child Abuse, FBI, and State Criminal Records Check. YES has 24/7 direct supervision by a Treatment Director and a Program Director, one of which is always on site. The YES house is under 24/7 video recording surveillance, both interior and exterior. Best practice and guidelines review are mandated for annual review by DHS and subject to random inspections. Program Director and Treatment Director oversee the entire program daily. YES has 3 employees, plus critical specialized security support provided exclusively by Echelon Protection. Critical Support is mandated by law to maintain all of the same clearances. All employees are also trained and certified in restraint assist.
A Hand-Selected Mission Aware Staff
A 24/7 staffed residential home licensed for emergency shelter placement and long-term residents ages 11-17. We provide care in a safe and secure structured home environment for children and youth who are displaced due to family crisis, abuse or neglect. Special services include trauma informed care, treatment, rehabilitation, support and supervision on a short or long-term basis to children and youth in a group home setting.
Youth Essential Services is budgeted for 3-4 employees, including both part-time and full-time staff. All positions are for Direct-care staff. Direct-care staff at Youth Essential Services (YES) assume primary care responsibilities for the youth and the home, ensuring a safe, structured, and supportive environment. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Providing 24-hour supervision for residents.
- Preparing meals and performing light housekeeping duties.
- Transporting youth to and from school, appointments, and activities.
- Administering medications and maintaining accurate documentation.
- Managing household shopping and other assigned tasks as needed.
Supervision & Availability:
- At least one staff member must be present whenever a child is in the facility.
- An on-call staff member must always be available within one hour of a request from personnel on duty.
Core Responsibilities:
- Resident Oversight: Maintain awareness of and accountability for assigned residents, including knowledge of pertinent case details such as allergies and supervision requirements.
- Child Care Services: Provide individualized care tailored to each child’s needs.
- Active Supervision: Maintain continuous auditory and/or visual awareness of each child’s activities and intervene when necessary to ensure safety.
- Health & Safety: Protect and promote the well-being of all residents by enforcing safety protocols and responding to concerns as needed.
- Task Management: Ensure all assigned duties are completed effectively and in alignment with program expectations. Direct-care staff play a critical role in fostering a stable and nurturing environment that supports each child’s development, well-being, and successful participation in YES programming.
