Devon Facility Could House Separated Immigrant Children

DEVON, PA — Children who immigrated to the United States illegally and were separated from their families could be coming to Devon.

Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health in Devon may host children thanks to a major contract from the Department of Health and Human Services.

According to Fox 29, Devereaux got a $14 million contract by the department to provide care and shelter for migrant children who were separated from their parents at the border.

The outlet reports it could house up to 50 kids, ages 5 through 12.

Patch reached out to Devereaux Operating Vice President Melanie Beidler Monday for more information on the plans and has not heard back from her.

Devereaux has several job listings on Indeed.com mentioning the detention center.

Part of the job descriptions read as such:

In response to the humanitarian crisis at America’s ports of entry, Devereux will be providing short-term shelter care services for refugee children who have come to the United States without their legal guardian. Devereux will provide extremely high-quality, trauma-informed residential and educational services for refugee children, with intense supports for their social and emotional health. We will also ensure they receive excellent and immediate physical healthcare including pediatric, dental and nutritional supports for every child.

Devereux’s ultimate goal is to ensure every refugee child who receives our services is successfully and quickly discharged into the loving care of their family sponsor and, during the short time they are with us, have received best-in-class medical, therapeutic, recreational and educational services designed specifically to address the traumas they have sustained during, and often before, their migration journey. This is a very high benchmark to set, but we have already begun partnering with leading legal defense nonprofits to ensure children in our care have access to the finest immigration advocates and supports our country offers.

Residents showed up to a meeting of the Easttown Township Supervisors Monday to protest Devereaux's plans.

Fox reports residents were told home were being built on the Highland Road site where the children will be held and that the residents plan to file an appeal with the zoning board in a move to stop the center from opening.