The mission of Tulsa Boys’ Home is to provide the highest quality residential care for young boys needing placement outside their home, for the purpose of developing well-adjusted, responsible adults and strengthening the family.

History

Founded in 1918, TBH is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Oklahoma corporation. Throughout its history, Tulsa Boys’ Home has been responsive to the needs of the community. Initially founded as an orphanage, TBH has evolved into a residential treatment facility nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation headquartered in New York City. We serve 64 boys, ages 11 through 18, with serious emotional, addiction, and behavioral problems, requiring temporary placement out of the home in a structured, therapeutic environment. The average length of stay is approximately twelve months. All boys must have their legal residence in the state of Oklahoma. Forty of our residents are placed by the Child Welcare Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS), the other twenty-four are privately placed by parents or legal guardians.

Philosophy

The underlying premise of our philosophy and treatment model is the belief that most of the emotional and behavioral problems we see in our residents are caused by painful past events/or a lack of a safe, structured, supportive, nurturing

environment, with consistency, clear limits, and bounderies.

The TBH philosophy also embraces the idea that behavior that is positively reinforced is likely to be repeated. Accordingly, TBH staff look for positive

behavior in our residents that can be positively reinforced, in an effort to insure that this behavior is recognized, understood, and likely to be repeated.

Treatment

Overall, our Residential Program includes individualized treatment related to a boys developmental needs. We address most aspects of a boys troubled life. All treatment includes individual, group and family counseling (when there is a family). Also included are life skills training, “character education, and employment opportunities. Tulsa Boys’ Home provides 24 hour supervision by our qualified, well-trained experienced staff. A licensed psychologist and psychiatrist are also available. Essentially, Tulsa Boys’ Home is about healing broken hearts and broken homes, giving young boys a sense of hope for a positive future that they perhaps never thought possible.

Education

Most of our residents are faced with serious academic challenges since they have either failed most subjects or are behind in their grade level. Our on-site Alternative School is part of the Sand Springs school system and provides our residents with the opportunity to catch up on academic deficiencies by attending small classes with teachers who are certified in special education. A Summer Blast program gives students a chance to improve their skills in cored subjects like Math and English.

Activities and Recreation

Our Recreational Program encourages team-building, interpersonal relations, and physical and mental conditioning. It also enhances self-esteem,

motivation, problem solving, and respect for rules, limits, and boundaries. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool, recreation hall, gymnasium, tennis court, weight room, softball field, ceramics shop, fishing pond, walking/running track, and fields for hiking and other activities. Additionally, a large number of volunteers assist staff with one-on-one and group activities on and off campus.

Equine Therapy

The Therapeutic Equine Counseling Program brings horses to Tulsa Boys’ Home. Residents help in the overall care of the horses, and benefit from the responsibility, trust, self-discipline, and communication skills they learn from their relationships with them. Residents are also taught overall equine care and horse safety as part of their horsemanship training. “Equine-assisted counseling” is the cornerstone of this powerful healing component of our program.

Aftercare

Our Aftercare Program is designed to

support the success of our residents after they leave Tulsa Boys’ Home. This component includes a new foster care program and the creation of a long-term mentoring program. Under the Foster Care Program, TBH recruits foster families to provide homes for the boys who do not have one. The Mentor Program links residents with supportive, adult mentors from surrounding communities. These partnerships continue long after a boy’s departure, and are monitored jointly by Tulsa Boys’ Home and Big Brothers and Sisters of Green Country.

Funding Sources

Funding for Tulsa Boys’ Home operations comes from a variety of sources that include private contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, as well as investment income, special fund-raising events, DHS, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, United Way, and through our Planned Giving Program.