Hoyleton Receives Grant to Expand Care, Earns Membership in Globally Recognized CARE Academy

Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in Fairview Heights, Ill., recently gained recognition for two important ways: It earned membership in the global CARE Academy for its commitment to the CARE model of care serving families and children; and received a sizeable, five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support Hoyleton’s commitment to increasing access to trauma treatment and family-centered support. 

CARE Academy

Hoyleton earned membership in the CARE Academy through the Residential Child Care Project (RCCP). It joins a group of just four organizations worldwide recognized for their commitment to the CARE model and its principles in serving children and families.

The CARE model is a framework for creating conditions for change based on six principles: relationship based, trauma-informed, developmentally focused, family involved, competence centered, and ecologically oriented. This Theory of Change outlines pathways that lead to a child’s improved social, emotional and developmental outcomes. To be successful and sustainable as a CARE organization, Hoyleton purposely embeds these principles and processes throughout every level of the organization. This ensures a consistent approach to daily interactions, routines, activities, and interventions within a nurturing, safe environment for the youth and families they serve.

The CARE Academy brings together exemplary organizations that employ the CARE model and advance trauma-informed, evidence-based services. Membership is reserved for organizations that consistently demonstrate CARE principles and are recognized as centers of excellence.

According to Brice Bloom-Ellis, Chief of Strategic Initiatives, Hoyleton began searching for a trauma-informed care model in 2016. After contacting several organizations, Hoyleton determined that the Residential Child Care Project best aligned with its needs and vision because of the project’s hands-on approach and subject matter experts. It adopted the CARE model in 2018 and has since worked to build a culture rooted in relationships, compassion and environments that promote healing and growth. Rich Heresniak, a CARE Trainer with Cornell University, has worked with Hoyleton since the beginning of that effort.

“This distinction represents many years of hard work and commitment, and I am proud of our accomplishment,” said Hoyleton President and CEO Chris L. Cox.

Grant to Expand Services

The grant from SAMSA comes through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative—Community Treatment and Service Centers (NCTSI-III) program, which supports the creation and operation of community treatment and service centers that increase access to effective childhood trauma treatment.  The funding will support Hoyleton’s continued commitment to children and families who are struggling by increasing access to trauma treatment and family-centered support. 

Through this program, Hoyleton expects to enroll up to 150 clients annually who need trauma-focused therapy. Planned services include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), with support for children, youth, and families affected by traumatic experiences. Included in the funding is the opportunity to have clients utilize wearable devices so bio feedback can be collected throughout treatment monitoring sleep, brainwave patterns, and heart and respiratory rate to chart progress with the treatment plan.

Hoyleton also will offer new in-person training for foster parents, developed by the Residential Child Care Project, to help them better understand childhood trauma and respond to children in distress. Through group learning and hands-on practice, foster parents will build skills to recognize what drives a child’s behavior, support emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and create a calm, nurturing home. The training emphasizes collaboration with birth families and maintaining family and cultural connections, equipping caregivers with practical strategies to help children heal, grow, and thrive.

Hoyleton is currently building capacity for the new programs and services and will begin enrolling clients in March 2027.