Children's Aid Home Programs of Somerset County, Inc.

I was there , and it was horrible . The man is a creep , they didnt respect boundaries or preferred names . You would get screamed at if you called someone by their name as we were only allowed to call yhem by their deadname. They told me I needed professional help & wouldnt take me back. They didn’t help with my selfharm or depression as they focused on one aspect of my mental health. They were so toxic , and I was at my worst there . I went to a better partial program and it was so much better . This somerset aid home is so bad , and terrible . My parents and I, would NOT recommend this place. The review that was 2 weeks ago is NOT true . As none of that happened for me or my friends that went or go there . They hate the mental health part , as the staff was horrible. One put down my mental health issues & asked when i got home if I was going to kill myself . It is terrible , and I would not recommend putting your kids there.

I was sent to the Children's Aid Home's partial program around 5 years ago. I don't know what the residential program is like, but here's my review:

After getting into a physical altercation with a teacher, I was sent to the aid home. At first I hated it, but as I continued to go here, i started to love it. Yes, staff did yell at students, but only if that student misbehaved enough to deserve it. Staff never got physical with any students, but I'm sure they would if, and only if that student posed a threat to themself or others.

I've read some of the other reviews, and they don't add up to my experience. Sure, the doctor at the aid home put me on antidepressants, but that was because I was struggling with depression. Never once was I intentionally put on a medication that had negative effects on me, and the other students who had negative effects with their medications had the necessary steps taken. The staff at the aid home were some of the nicest people I've ever met. They were caring, compassionate, and did whatever was necessary for students to be safe.

One thing I have to ask to the other reviewers: If staff at the aid home mistreat students so much, then why would we have fun periods where we got out boardgames, went on walks, or even played outside? If staff at the aid home were so horrible, so despicable, as other reviewers claim, then why was I allowed to play guitar for the staff and other students when I behaved. Now let that sink in, and ask yourself: "is the Children's Aid Home really that bad for my child?" Of course it's not! Do you really think law enforcement would let an alternative school and residential program based on mental health and correction be that horrible to children?

One more thing I have to get off my chest about these negative reviews: So what if staff doesn't call you by your preferred pronouns? Unless you've had, or are soon to be having a surgery to become the opposite gender, if your birth certificate says you're a boy, your a boy, just like if you're birth certificate says you're a girl, you're a girl. There's no in between. Either you're a boy, or you're a girl.

I am both thankful and grateful for being sent to the Children's Aid Home by my school, because the staff not only straightened me out, but staff have helped me to realize my mistakes and turn myself around. If it weren't for the Children's Aid Home, I'd probably have gotta in trouble with law enforcement. And sure, you're child may not immediately like the Children's Aid Home, but if they need help, I'd recommend this place.

This place is honestly horrible. They have no respect or gratitude to their students. They can’t use preferred pronouns or names ,even if their names bring back bad memories. They fight/ argue with the children, and don’t respect boundaries nor do they know warning signs. One person could seem happy and they’d believe it . It’s honestly pathetic how this place treats the kids. Especially for outpatient, a place that’s supposed to be helping and helpful but instead just creating a worse place for the children. plus they don’t help the kids when they report serious signs of abuse. Instead they say they are lying and blame other students there for another students issues for something dumb that all kids do. Not to mention they mis-diagnose kids with stuff that’s not even similar. The place is disrespectful and doesn’t know how to treat or take care of mental health.

no child should go here! you’ll get treated poorly and they’ll up your meds if you have bad effects! i’m a chemist and i know the mechanism of actions of ssris, which is neurotoxic if you have serotonin syndrome! This place makes people feel down more than better. get better jobs, use proper and quality medicines. -former patient

nice place to visit my daughter