Thoughtful admissions. Individualized care.
Our team considers each referral carefully to determine whether the program can safely and appropriately meet a young person’s needs.
Serving youth ages 12–18.
Open Arms provides residential care for youth involved in Pennsylvania’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The small, non-secure setting is designed for up to three residents, with individualized attention and close supervision.
Admissions are based on each youth’s assessed needs, history, care plan, and compatibility with the program and other residents.
Safety and appropriateness guide every decision.
Referral and intake steps
Referral review
Initial referral and intake screening.
Records review
Consideration of relevant medical, educational, and behavioral records through appropriate secure channels.
Program fit
Assessment of needs, safety, and program appropriateness.
Individualized planning
Development of an Individualized Service Plan where admission is appropriate.
Placement decisions prioritize safety.
Open Arms cannot accommodate youth who require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, a secure or locked facility, continuous skilled nursing care, or have unmanaged violent behavior that exceeds the program’s capacity to provide safe supervision.
Program grouping and admission considerations include age, maturity, behavioral compatibility, and environmental safety. The program description provides that the home will serve one gender at a time, determined by the first youth admitted.