Admissions
Seamark Ranch is a long-term care facility. Seamark admits at-risk children between the ages of 10 and 16.
Children are accepted based on need without regard to money or influence. Seamark Ranch encourages private placements. If the child appears to be appropriate for our program, an application packet will be mailed to the legal guardian for completion.
Although Seamark Ranch can admit children from all over the United States, Florida’s children will have first priority for admission. Our primary geographic focus for the admission of children will be the 5-county Northeast Florida area, including Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. John’s Counties. Judges, community agencies, ministries and churches, school counselors, and individuals may refer children. Private referrals are encouraged.
There is no restriction on entry to Seamark Ranch based on race, class, religion, or creed. Children whose parents or relatives have the means and are able and willing to rear their children will be ineligible.
Placement Requirements
Seamark Ranch is a long-term, Christ-centered ministry that serves the needs of at-risk boys and girls by providing a quality, stable Christian home environment. Seamark Ranch is also a resource for children and families in crisis. We see each child as an individual and will work together with the current caregivers in each child’s life to provide the tools and skills necessary to become productive citizens.
The following is a list of criteria for considering a child for admission. Note that these represent guidelines, and each candidate will be considered on an individual basis. Seamark’s thorough and careful admission process may take 3 to 4 weeks. Emergency or temporary placements are not accepted. Seamark Ranch encourages private placements. Specific admission questions should be directed to the Director of Admissions by calling the Seamark Ranch Childcare Office at (904) 529-1951.
Girls and Boys 10-16 years old (however, full sibling groups will be given special age consideration). Children of 12 years or older must realize the need/benefit for placement at Seamark and be willing to cooperate with the program.
IQ of 75 or above.
Children with mild emotional and/or behavioral problems. Children with more severe problems will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
All caregivers involved in the child’s life must sign a letter of agreement for the Seamark placement and fully cooperate with the treatment plan.
No active/current suicidal or homicidal threat, ideation, or behavior.
No active or past fire-starting threats or behavior.
No physical or mental disability that will inhibit the responsible use and care of farm equipment and farm animals.
Referrals
The following are Seamark referral examples. However, every circumstance will be considered on a case-by-case basis:
Children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and who have little hope of reconciliation with their parents.
According to the 2000-2001 Florida Abuse Hotline Information System statistics, drugs, and alcohol appear to be the major factors in children being referred. Physical abuse, rape, and molestation are very common in these types of dysfunctional homes, and the children often retain many deep wounds.
Children whose parents or extended family are unable to raise them due to difficult circumstances such as death, illness, prison, state intervention, etc.
Many of the parents of our children may be divorced, single parents who do not have the means to care for their children as a result of their circumstances or environment. Many of our children’s extended family, such as grandparents and aunts and uncles, may have been caring for them in the past and have arrived at a point or age where they can no longer do so.
Children whose adoptive or foster parents are unable to raise them.
A small percentage of our children may come from adoptive parents who could not bond with their child. The state may determine that a particular child could fare better in our home environment rather than another foster home due to previous unsuccessful and/or multiple placements. In these cases, all hope of parental reconciliation must be exhausted.
To begin the application process or to request an application packet, please call the Seamark Ranch Office at (904) 529-1951.