KCI Servant's Heart
Residential
Treatment Center

Healing is a matter of time, but it is
sometimes a matter of opportunity.
-Hippocrates

In February 2006, The Children's Shelter opened the KCI Servant's Heart Residential Treatment Center (KCI RTC) to provide care for 5-12 year old boys and girls who have been victimized by abuse, neglect or abandonment and, as a result, have emotional dilemmas that make it difficult for them to heal and thrive in a family-based setting. The 36-bed home for children enables healing through individualized attention and therapeutic programming. It is essential that these children receive the appropriate treatment to encourage them to be happy, secure adolescents.

Who are the children living in the KCI RTC?
All of the children who reside at the KCI RTC require specialized attention and therapeutic programming. Prior to arriving at the residential treatment center, these children have suffered from physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Because of their turbulent pasts, they find it quite difficult to cope with the extreme emotions they often experience.

Where do the children come from?
The children placed at the KCI RTC are under the guardianship of the state. Some of the children come from psychiatric hospitals, and others come from foster homes.

Why do these children benefit from a place like the KCI RTC?
When children arrive at the KCI RTC, they enter a warm, safe, and nurturing environment. Each child receives complete medical attention from an on-site clinic and counseling services from in-house therapists.

Children participate in a full schedule of activities including: individual group therapy with a licensed therapist, recreational therapy at Home Court America and through Yoga Kids instruction, and special activities such as bowling, gardening, and outdoor play at local parks.

Do the children attend school?
Northside Independent School District has an on-campus school at the KCI RTC. The children attend the on-campus school until they are ready to be gently reintroduced to local schools.

How long do they stay at the KCI RTC?
The overall goal is for the children to improve their behavior level and acquire the skills necessary to function in the "outside world" within 3-4 months. Some children stay longer until significant emotional development has been achieved. Children are discharged to a family home setting with their biological or foster family.