Prior to placement in our residential program, children may be assessed and cared for in our Emergency Shelter.

Children who have experienced trauma receive a new chance at life as they begin their healing in our Emergency Shelter. Our Emergency Shelter Program provides temporary care for boys and girls, birth to 17, who cannot remain in their home. Over 80% of these children are under the protection of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

While a child’s stay is short term, our integrated, trauma-informed care approach provides a foundation of healing for each child.

Boysville accepts children whose families are in crisis as a result of illness, unemployment, poverty, abuse, neglect, or homelessness. Children are admitted without regard to race, religion, ethnicity or their family’s ability to pay for services. We want to help every child.

For placement into Boysville, a telephone screening conducted by our shelter staff begins the intake process. If it is determined Boysville can help the child, a date will then be set for placement into our Emergency Shelter. Emergency placements can be done immediately if the shelter director gives approval. During a 30-day placement, an assessment will be conducted to include daily written observations by the shelter caregivers, mental health assessment by the Director of Therapeutic Services, academic assessments by the Learning Center staff and a weekly review of individual progress by the assessment team. This assessment determines if Boysville can help the child, or if the child requires more extensive care.

Once the 30-day period is completed and it is determined that the child will remain at Boysville, he or she will be placed in an age-appropriate and gender-appropriate cottage.

Boys and girls, birth to 17 years.

For placement into the shelter, the following is required:

• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Immunization record
• Withdrawal forms from school
• Documents pertaining to custody or guardianship

Each child at the shelter will be evaluated for the following:

• Social behavior
• Academic progress
• Medical needs
• Psychiatric assessment

A child not be admitted to Boysville if he or she has exhibited:

• gang affiliation
• drug or alcohol abuse
• history of chronic runaway
• extreme aggressive behavior
• inability to work within limits set by an appropriate caregiver
• history of fire setting
• history of cruelty to animals