PIERCETON - Lifeline Youth and Family Services is hosting an open house for the Kosciusko County community Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Blue Lion Coffeehouse, 105 W. Market St., Pierceton.

The organization plans to build a juvenile housing facility and school in the town's industrial park, north of U.S. 30 off CR 250S. In January, 60 acres in that area were rezoned from industrial 2 to a public use district.

Lifeline operates juvenile facilities, providing living space and schooling for children ages 8-18. Lifeline does not accept children who need to be medicated to modify their behavior, although they may be on medication. Length of stay is from 90 days to nine months, as ordered by a judge.

The proposed facility initially will house 60 to 70 male juveniles in three group homes. Future plans include two more group homes, a school, a chapel and recreational facilities.

"It's a secure facility, not a juvenile prison," Chief Executive Officer Mark Terrell said at a town council meeting in January. "They are there for two reasons. Either they made poor decisions or their parents made poor decisions. They are considered a moderate security risk."

Terrell said the staff-to-juvenile ratio is 1-to-3 or 1-to-5, there are video security cameras, individual cells, bed checks every 15 minutes and a recreational area that would be fenced-in on all sides and over the top.

Lifeline currently operates three juvenile facilities in the area: Black Lake Lodge, north of Larwill; Riverwood Ranch, on the west side of Warsaw; and Byrer Manor, outside of Warsaw. Terrell said the children in those facilities will be brought to Pierceton and the current facilities eventually will be closed and sold.

Lifeline representatives will be available to answer questions and concerns. For more information, call Rob Reneker at 800-509-6884. [[In-content Ad]]