UA’s Brewer-Porch Children’s Center Announces Restructuring Plan

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ─  Brewer-Porch Children’s Center, a specialized treatment center and an outreach unit of The University of Alabama, is implementing organizational and program changes following an in-depth review of its strengths, needs and resources.

Based on the review, Brewer-Porch will centralize and streamline administrative functions and will eliminate one component of its autism programs, a school-based program that is provided jointly with Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County schools.

Brewer-Porch will continue to provide its autism intervention preschool program, which is located on the Brewer-Porch campus, as well as its other services.

“Brewer-Porch has implemented these changes to more effectively and efficiently fulfill our mission and purpose, which is to serve children and their families who are dealing with serious emotional and behavioral issues, including autism,” said Dr. Rick Gray, executive director of Brewer-Porch Children’s Center. “Brewer-Porch must be good stewards of our limited resources by focusing on the programs and initiatives that align with our core strengths and that allow us to have the biggest impact on children.

“Our strength lies in our on-campus preschool program, through which we provide early intervention for preschool-age children with autism. By focusing on the preschool initiative, we can help these children be successful in elementary school and beyond.”

The reorganization also includes streamlining administration. Administrative functions for Brewer-Porch’s seven programs will be centralized into three major programs—residential, outpatient and therapeutic foster care. Some clinician, coordinator and administrative positions will be eliminated or restructured as a result of these changes.

“While these measures will significantly reduce overhead costs, the most important outcome will be improved and enhanced services for our clients,” Gray said. “Brewer-Porch will continue to provide residential and outpatient programs, and we will continue to provide our autism preschool program, with the goal of increasing enrollment to serve more children.”

Approximately 35 children and 65 employees will be impacted across all programs.

The city and county schools are developing transition plans and will work directly with families to ensure the children’s needs continue to be met.

Brewer-Porch Children’s Center was established in 1969 to provide quality mental health and educational services to children and adolescents with emotional and mental disturbances and their families.

It includes a 56-bed residential program as well as day programs and therapeutic foster care. Its staff of 250 includes clinical, administrative and support personnel, and the clinical staff work in treatment teams, which include consulting psychiatrists, dietitians and speech therapists as well as nurses, social workers, counselors, special education teachers, psychologists and mental health workers.

The center also is a clinical teaching and learning site for undergraduate and graduate students from The University of Alabama and other colleges and universities.