OUR PROGRAMS
From the first night to graduation day.
Harris Home serves boys in crisis through four programs that form a single continuum of care — from the child who needs a safe bed tonight to the high school senior preparing for college. Here's how it works.
Crisis
- Age 14–19 Boys
- Up to 60 days
- 24/7 care
- Only full-time licensed crisis program in Alabama
Harris Home operates the only full-time licensed crisis program in the state of Alabama. When adolescents face sudden removal from unsafe situations — whether from abuse, neglect, family crisis, or emergency intervention — our Crisis Program provides an immediate, nurturing, and stable environment, around the clock.
Residents receive safe shelter, meals, supportive counseling, basic life-skills training, recreation, and behavior management while the Alabama Department of Human Resources works toward a longer-term placement. For many of these kids, it's the first night in a long time that they've fallen asleep somewhere safe.
In moments of crisis, Harris Home is the statewide safety net — ensuring no child in Alabama is left without care, or a place to sleep.
Basic Care
- Age 12–17 Boys
- Full-time residential
- For youth with mild / no behavioral challenges
- Family-style setting
The Basic Care Program offers a warm, family-style residential setting for adolescents with mild or no emotional and behavioral challenges. Here, youth receive consistent structure, daily nurturing, nutritious meals, educational support, and guidance that helps replace survival-mode reactions with healthy self-discipline and coping skills.
In a true home-like atmosphere, residents build trust, settle into routines, and rebuild confidence. For many, this is the steady ground they needed — the first long stretch of a life that isn't being interrupted every few months.
Moderate Care
- Age 12–19 Boys
- Full-time residential
- Mental health diagnosis required
- Trauma-informed therapeutic care
Every resident in the Moderate Care Program arrives with a mental health diagnosis and moderate to severe emotional or behavioral challenges. We go beyond symptom management — offering individualized counseling, trauma-informed therapy, and consistent nurturing to help heal deep-seated wounds.
Delivered in the same supportive, home-like residential environment as Basic Care, this program addresses root causes while teaching emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and personal responsibility. The goal is lasting recovery and resilience, so each young person can move forward with real hope — not just a quiet week.
BOOST!
- Middle + high school students
- Mon–Thu, 4:30–6:00pm
- Tutoring in core subjects + ACT/SAT prep
- Partnership with Alabama A&M and UAH
BOOST! is our rigorous after-school initiative designed to close educational gaps and prepare youth for college, careers, and self-sufficiency. Four days a week, the program delivers targeted tutoring in core subjects, personalized academic support, and specialized ACT/SAT prep for high school juniors and seniors.
Delivered in partnership with tutors from Alabama A&M University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and experienced local educators, BOOST! helps residents raise grades, build study habits, and gain confidence for post-high-school success. It's more than tutoring — it's a bridge to brighter futures.
Every program you just read about runs on steady monthly support.
Become a Harris Home Partner and help keep crisis beds open, residential cottages staffed, and BOOST! tutors paid — every month, for every boy who needs us.
Become a Monthly PartnerF.A.Q.
What ages do your programs serve?
Our programs primarily serve adolescents ages 12–19. The Crisis Program accepts ages 14–19, while Basic Care and Moderate Care serve ages 12–17 (and up to 19 in some Moderate Care cases). BOOST! supports middle and high school students.
What makes your Crisis Program different from other options?
Harris Home For Children operates the only full-time licensed emergency crisis program in the entire state of Alabama. We provide 24/7 immediate care, safe shelter, meals, counseling, and stabilization for up to 60 days when no other options are available.
Who is eligible for the Basic Care program?
The Basic Care Program is designed for adolescents ages 12–17 with mild to no emotional or behavioral challenges. It offers a stable, family-style residential environment focused on structure, nurturing, and rebuilding trust and healthy routines.
What kind of support is provided in the Moderate Care Program?
Moderate Care is a therapeutic residential program for youth ages 12–19 who have a mental health diagnosis and moderate to severe emotional or behavioral challenges. It includes individualized counseling, trauma-informed care, and help with emotional regulation and personal responsibility.
What does the BOOST! program focus on?
BOOST! is an after-school academic and life-skills program for middle and high school students. It provides targeted tutoring, ACT/SAT prep, study skills, and college/career readiness support to help youth close educational gaps and prepare for independence.
How long can a child stay in your residential programs?
Length of stay varies by need and program. Crisis placements are typically short-term (up to 60 days). Basic and Moderate Care are longer-term residential programs, with length determined by the individual’s progress, treatment goals, and decisions made with DHR and the court.
How does a child get referred to Harris Home programs?
Most referrals come through the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) following removal from a home due to abuse, neglect, or family crisis. Caseworkers, juvenile courts, or other agencies can contact us directly to discuss placement options.
Can I volunteer to work directly with your programs?
Yes! We welcome trained and vetted volunteers to assist with mentoring, tutoring (especially for BOOST!), recreational activities, special events, and more. All volunteers must complete an application, background check, and orientation. Contact us to learn about current opportunities.
How can I help if I can’t volunteer in person?
There are many ways to help: make a one-time or monthly donation, sponsor a scholarship for BOOST!, provide in-kind donations (school supplies, hygiene items, recreational equipment), or share our mission with friends and family. Every act of support helps us keep our doors open.
Do your programs accept private placements or self-referrals?
No, we are not able to accept private or self-referrals at this time. All placements are coordinated through the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) or juvenile court systems to ensure proper oversight and funding for care.
