Katy's Place is named after Katy Deitchman, a wonderful young woman who died at 24 years of age from a rare cancer. Katy was so full of life that her parents John and Linda, knew that as the Child Development Center was being created to house the children of the Center, it would be the perfect legacy for their daughter. Because just like Katy, who never gave up and always looked to the future, the infants and children at Katy's Place are learning, growing, and preparing for their life ahead — it was the perfect way to honor Katy. Katy's angels, as we sometimes call them, keep Katy close to everyone who knew her and the wonderful person she was.

The Program

Our Child Care Coordinator and her assistants supervise our on-site child development center. Each child, when entering the program, has a specialized and personalized treatment plan, and activities designed to assist him/her in reaching age-appropriate developmental milestones. This is a critical component for the children, as many arrive at the Center developmentally delayed.

Both our Medical/Parenting Coordinator and the Child Care Coordinator work closely together as they address the needs of both mother and child. In addition, they work closely with the Addiction Coordinator and addiction counselors who are able to address through treatment the many feelings of the guilt, shame, etc. that mothers in recovery from substance dependency experience as they move deeper into their recovery issues. Together, the clinical team seeks to assist recovering women to break the cycle of addition, poverty, abuse and neglect by providing relapse prevention treatment, as well as parenting, vocation training, housing, and supportive resources for independence and ongoing self-sufficiency. All of the assistance they receive and all the positive outcomes translate to the wellbeing of their children. The children benefit directly and indirectly from the treatment their mothers receive. Statistics show that both mother and child do better in treatment if they are together.

Katy's Place is a happy place. The children create their little masterpieces of paintings, clay work, and marvelous things made out of Popsicle sticks and other resources. They are so proud when they show their mothers, guests and the staff (who can not resist visiting Katy's Place) from time to time. Sometimes, when a child has made progress, he/she is allowed to visit the staff to tell of what they have accomplished, or to show what they have created. The visits are highly anticipated by both child and staff. It is uplifting and inspirational to see what the children are doing, and how sweetly proud they are of their progress and accomplishments.

Volunteers at Katy's Place are a critical part of the children's wellbeing. They hold the infants, rock them, and assist with feeding and all that care translates into love. The advent of Katy's Place has made a big difference in the lives of mothers in residential treatment, in the lives of the children, and even in the lives of the staff and volunteers. We are blessed to have Katy's Place and the program it provides to the little ones who reside at the Center with their mothers.