Wyndham Lawn Home for Children
Located near the historic Erie Canal, the home is situated on a large, parklike campus with wide lawns and huge shade trees. A wooded path offers opportunities for nature walks and bicycling, and an outdoor pool provides summer recreation. A gym and weight room are used throughout the year.
The work of Wyndham Lawn Home for Children dates back to 1865. The home moved to its current site, once the estate of Gov. Washington Hunt, in 1882. The former mansion serves as the administration building.
Wyndham Lawn’s residential treatment program is designed to provide an interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic program for youth ages 11-17 who are experiencing behavioral and/or emotional disorders. An individualized plan is created for each youth.
Services
- Social work services include individual, group and family counseling, treatment and/or support.
- Specialized groups are provided for special needs, such as anger management or grief & loss.
- A full-time alcohol and substance abuse counselor provides individual and group services. Wyndham Lawn serves as a satellite outpatient clinic through a program administered by the Alcoholism Council of Niagara County.
- Psychiatric services include a psychiatric assessment, medication monitoring and diagnostic follow-ups. Psychological services are provided through the on-grounds school program.
- Health care services include primary medical care; acute and emergency care; comprehensive physical exams; dental care; vision care, and any specialist care deemed necessary.
- Training in independent living skills occurs in the residential program and in the on-campus school.
Recreational activities are an integral part of the therapeutic model, providing for an outlet from frustration and allowing youth to explore new experiences to substitute for high-risk behaviors. Volunteer work by youth develops empathy for others and enables the youth to participate in the community.
An internal mentoring program helps provide youth with individualized attention and specialized activities.
A Spiritual Life Advisor assists youth who voluntarily seek spiritual assistance.
Modern living areas
While they’re referred to as “cottages,” the living areas look more like roomy chalets with their skylights, vaulted ceilings and fireplaces. Youth may personalize their rooms with pictures, posters and memorabilia.
Mecorney, Dittmer and Grigg Cottage each house up to 15 residents.
Quad is a six-bed program designated for transitional living experience. Residents are chosen for that cottage only after demonstrating stability in the larger cottages.
The social workers’ offices are located right in the cottages so that they can better experience youths’ everyday behavior and get insights into effective treatment.
Campus life
Youth experience a structured schedule of activities that includes school, study time, chores and organized recreation.
Wyndham Lawn provides a therapeutic community by using “Normative Culture,” which is a way of behaving rather than a set of rules. Adults and youth are expected to behave according to the “norms” of respect, responsibility, safety and goals.
Youth can earn Wildcat status by demonstrating this behavior. Wildcats enjoy certain privileges, such as using the Wildcat Room, and become leaders for the other youth on campus.
At Wyndham Lawn, recreation and team sports are more than just having fun; they’re part of the clinical process to help youth change their behavior. Youth learn to interact with others, to commit to a group and to meet goals. Youth who can benefit from the experience may be chosen to participate in a summer or winter camping trip in the Adirondacks, a joint activity with youth and staff from Randolph Children’s Home, our other residential treatment facility in Randolph, NY.
Education
Educational services are provided on grounds at the Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School, a private school operated by Wyndham Lawn. The curriculum for all grades meets the New York State standards.
Classes are small, with eight or fewer students to one teacher and one aide.
Supervision
While youth are awake, there must be at least one staff person to supervise six youth. During sleeping hours, at least one staff person per unit is provided. Additional personnel and on-call availability is maintained during sleeping hours. One-on-one supervision is provided as necessary.
Family involvement
The family is central to the treatment process. Family members are encouraged to attend all educational and treatment meetings. Social workers are involved with both the youth and the family.
When and how often a youth visits home is determined by treatment and family needs.
Contact Information
Chuck Wagner
Campus Life Director
(716) 433-4487, ext. 462
Edward Gargala, LCSW
Residential Director
(716) 433-4487, ext. 469
egargala@ndyfs.org
Anthony Walters, LCSW-R
Admissions Director
(716) 358-3636, ext. 235
E-mail addresses are the first letter of the person's first name, followed by the last name, with the ending @ndyfs.org
Example: John Smith would be jsmith@ndyfs.org
