Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions about Eagle Ranch

1) What are the ages of the children at Eagle Ranch?

Ages 8 to 18 for boys and girls.

2) What are some of the criteria for acceptance into the program?

• Entry age of 8 to 16 for girls and boys.
• Mild to moderate emotional and/or behavioral problems.
• Minimum I.Q. score of 70.
• Reside within 80 miles of Eagle Ranch.
• Parents or extended family must agree to be involved in counseling.
• Child must be alcohol and substance-abuse free at time of entry.

3) Where do the children come from?

The majority come from the Ranch’s base in Northeast Georgia. However, children have been referred to the Ranch from more than 20 counties in the region within an 80-mile radius. Referrals typically come from schools, churches, concerned friends or family members, the juvenile court system, and the state Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

4) How long do the children stay?

The average stay is between 18 months and two years.

5) Where do you get your money?

Almost entirely from private sources, which include individuals, corporations, foundations and churches.

6) Do you receive any public funding?

Very little. The state of Georgia does provide a monthly stipend for children referred by its DFCS office, but that represents a very small percentage of the children at Eagle Ranch.

7) Do you charge the children’s families for your services?

Yes, but there are no set fees. To encourage full participation, the Ranch charges families on a sliding scale based upon income.

8) What is the operating budget?

Our operating budget for 2009 is $2.9 million or approximately $50,000 per child. The cost per child is higher than most children’s homes because of the additional program components of counseling and education.

9) Where is the Ranch located?

On 270 acres of wooded land four miles off Interstate 85 in southern Hall County, Georgia, about 50 miles north of Atlanta.

10) How is Eagle Ranch different from other children’s    

        homes?

Eagle Ranch is not solely a custodial or residential program. It provides an integrated program of counseling and education. Also, houseparents have no more than seven children per home, allowing much more focused attention for each child.