After seven years of serving youth in foster care through a locally operated group home, Portage County Job and Family Services (PCJFS) announced today that it will transition operation of its residential program on Brady Lake Road to The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health organization serving youth and families. The Village Network will assume oversight of the home effective Aug. 1, 2026.
The transition marks a new chapter for a program that was established in response to a growing need for local residential options for teenagers in foster care.
In 2018, Portage County experienced a significant increase in the number of children entering foster care. At that time, 223 children were in the custody of PCJFS, including 31 youth living in residential treatment facilities. While some required intensive treatment services, others were placed outside their community simply because there were limited foster home or group home options available for teenagers.
Recognizing the need to keep young people connected to their families, schools, and communities, PCJFS Director KelliJo Jeffries sought support from the Portage County Board of Commissioners to establish a local group home.
Following approval from the commissioners and the generosity of the Shrewsberry family in providing a location on Brady Lake Road, planning and licensing efforts moved forward. The home welcomed its first residents in December 2019.
Since opening, 66 youth have called Brady Lake Road home their temporary residence. During their time there, young people have experienced milestones both large and small—from attending public schools, participating in sports and Special Olympics, securing first jobs, attending homecoming dances, learning independent living skills, planting gardens, and building lasting community connections.
Many residents successfully reunified with family members, transitioned to foster homes, enrolled in college, joined the military, or moved into independent living arrangements.
“While this chapter is coming to a close, I am so very proud of our group home team, past and present, who provided love, support and commitment to all of the youth who called this house home,” said Jeffries. “Because our community came together to better serve children and families, we have seen progress in reducing the number of youth who need higher levels of residential care.”
The decision to transition operations comes as the county’s needs have evolved and as opportunities emerged to partner with an experienced provider specializing in residential and behavioral health services for youth.
Founded in 1946, The Village Network provides a continuum of services that include residential treatment, foster care, outpatient behavioral health, school-based services, and community-based programs designed to help youth and families become resilient, healthy and build brighter futures.
“The Village Network is honored to continue the important work that has taken place in this home over the past seven years,” said Richard Graziano, President and CEO of The Village Network. “We share Portage County’s commitment to keeping young people connected to their communities whenever possible and providing the support they need to thrive. We look forward to building on the strong foundation established by Portage County Job and Family Services and ensuring that youth in foster care continue to have access to high-quality residential services close to home.”
The transition will allow the Brady Lake Road home to continue serving youth in foster care while leveraging The Village Network’s extensive expertise in residential care and behavioral health services.
“We are excited that Portage County youth will continue to have the opportunity to remain in their home community while receiving the care and support they need,” Jeffries said.
