Fate of Abbott House's Residential Treatment Program Still Foggy

In coming months Abbott House's Residential Treatment Center, a clinical foster care facility that generally houses 50 to 60 boys aged 7 to 17, may be completely eliminated--and those who have worked with and for the agency plan to fight on its behalf. 

"A lot is still up in the air, but a few weeks ago we learned our residential treatment center will no longer receive referrals from The New York City Administration for Children's Services," Nancy Riedl, director of development and communications for Abbott House, said.

Since a large number of the boys in Abbott House's residential program come from New York City, this announcement came as a heavy blow.

"It is definite to say this is a disappointment for many people," Riedl said. "Our first thought is always for the kids—we're really concerned about the kids' best interest. And sometimes a residential treatment facility is the best place for them to be." 

New York City ACS has recently announced a shift in emphasis from residential facilities, such as Abbott House's program in Irvington, to family-based foster care.

"In a perfect world, we would like all kids to live with families—their own families," Riedl said. "But sometimes that's just not feasible."

Laura Postiglione, a spokeswoman for New York City ACS, defended the decision saying: "Based on evidence and research we have found there are better outcomes when children are part of a family."

While she said not all residential treatment centers were denied contracts from ACS, their goal this past April was to decrease the number as much as possible.

"We do recognize that some children need residential programs," Postiglione said. 

ACS did award funding for Abbott House's residential program for children with special medical needs and for Children's Village's residential program in Dobbs Ferry.

Postiglione would not comment on how each particular program was chosen for funding. 

Because Abbott House does receive referrals from agencies other than ACS, Riedel is hoping to increase the number of referrals from the surrounding counties and New York State so that the facility can stay operational.

"We currently have three referring agencies," Gregory Angelo, a spokesman for Abbott House said. "New York City ACS, The Office of Children and Families of New York, and the Departments of Social Services for various counties."

Irvington village officials also lamented the idea of losing Abbott House's campus program.

"Over the years Abbott House has been an exceptionally good neighbor to this village," Lawrence Schopfer, Irvington village administrator, said. Schopfer added that Abbott House had kept the village in the loop since they initially learned their residential program might be shut down.

"There was definitely a somber tone to our meetings," he said.

Even Irvington police were saddened by the news—and not because Abbott House adds an element of excitement to their work.

"There has been very little criminal activity outside of Abbott House from residents there," Sergeant Michael Foley said. "We have a great relationship with them, and I'd be sorry to see them go."

Riedl was careful to make the distinction between Abbott House's residential program and all other services—which make up 85 percent of the agency's work—saying everything else would go on as before.

"We will continue to provide administrative, foster care and adoptive services out of Irvington," Riedl said.  However, though not entirely sure, said guessed the Abbott School, a separate public district serving mainly boys from Abbott House, would  close. 

With the fate of the program and so many jobs remaining unknown, the village and the agency can do nothing but hope for the best.

"Kids who have severe behavioral, yet no medical, special needs are often hard to place with foster families," Riedel said. "But through our administrative services we hope to be able to make the best matches possible for the kids."