ANDRUS RECEIVES MAJOR $339,000 GRANT FROM PRESTIGIOUS ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION

$339,000 grant to provide funding for Sanctuary Program

ANDRUS, a leading provider of children and family services, announced today that it has been awarded a $339,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation’s largest philanthropic foundation devoted exclusively to health and health care. The grant covers the first phase of support that will allow ANDRUS to develop a comprehensive evaluation plan for its Sanctuary Model.   Since its inception in 2005, the Sanctuary Institute has worked with close to 300 organizations in 27 states and 7 countries to help create trauma-informed organizational cultures. The investment from RWJF creates an opportunity to significantly enhance the important work of the Institute.

This is the first time ANDRUS has received a grant from the prestigious RWJF.

Kristin Schubert, director of the RWJF Vulnerable Populations portfolio, said, “We’re pleased to support ANDRUS’ efforts to plan for a fuller evaluation of the Sanctuary Model. We hope it will reveal the key next steps for growing the impact of this groundbreaking model to prevent and mitigate the effects of trauma.”

Already recognized both internationally and nationally, ANDRUS’ Sanctuary Institute has built a solid foundation for changing the face of care for children and families that have experienced trauma. Its approach is being adopted by children’s treatment programs, juvenile justice facilities, domestic and homeless shelters, and residential facilities worldwide to treat the effect of adverse childhood experiences on later health and behavioral outcomes.

“Sanctuary continues to develop a track record of success,” President of ANDRUS Mimi Corcoran said.  “It’s a model for how we can transform the way we approach children and families where a cycle of negative responses to challenging situations becomes ingrained and self-perpetuating.  Our approach is a game-changer and can play an important role in a broader national discussion.  The goal is to change how we view and react to children who are dealing with traumatic environments.  We are working with our own staff, but those dealing with these troubled children and families including the courts, social workers and educators can also adopt and benefit from the Sanctuary approach.  We are encouraged that the RWJF has recognized the greater potential our program holds and are most grateful for their support.”    

Adverse childhood experiences affect the way people think, learn and feel about themselves as well as the world around them. Organizations and individuals that participate in the Sanctuary program are trained in the skills necessary for creating and sustaining trauma-informed environments.  

In addition to much needed scientific research, the RWJF grant will also provide the establishment of an advisory board comprised of national thought leaders in this field.

Organizational cultures have been changed to follow Sanctuary. All staff members, not just those who work directly with residents, participate in training modules. “The evidence we get from this assessment can help show we are changing outcomes,” continued Corcoran. “By implementing this approach, there will be a change in language and culture, fewer restraints, an increased sense of future, and improved outcomes for kids and professionals.”

RWJF, based in New Jersey, focuses on the most pressing health and health care issues facing our country. The Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change.

About ANDRUS

ANDRUS provides a broad range of social services for families and children through research, training and innovative programs. Founded in 1928, ANDRUS today is a family-centered organization offering an array of innovative programs to help children, families and communities meet their full potential.  Based in Yonkers, N.Y. ANDRUS operates 14 locations in Westchester County. ANDRUS also operates the Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation and the Sanctuary Institute, which has provided training and consultation to close to 300 organizations worldwide in the use of a trauma-sensitive model for treatment.