The program serves the educational and rehabilitative needs of boys between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age who have full scale IQ’s between 55 and 70, and also present with behavioral and/or emotional problems which require residential treatment.

Many youngsters who fall into the category of borderline intellectual functioning or mild retardation are served in OCFS licensed agencies rather than in the OMRDD system.  They are typically integrated into the general population without any specialized services, either educationally or clinically, to address their unique needs.  Many end up in out of state placements.

The Hard-to-Place Program of Special Services is designed to meet the needs of boys experiencing the most severe emotional, behavioral, social, and/or family problems requiring placement outside of their homes.  As with the other parts of Special Services, it provides a highly structured (semi-secure), closely supervised, therapeutic environment for intensive work with a resident upon his interpersonal relationship problems and behavioral and emotional difficulties, while assisting with development of more socially appropriate behaviors.  It is acknowledged that children in this category are in need of medium to long-term placement.  Despite the critical needs and problems that are presented by children in this program, it is believed that growth and change can be effected subsequent to stabilization.  Particular emphasis is placed on skill building with a long term goal of achieving a level of social, vocational and educational competency which allows for independent functioning.