Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Child Welfare Services in Abilene, TX
New Horizons has been a trusted leader in child welfare and behavioral health for over 50 years. Founded in 1971, we specialize in providing foster care, adoption services, residential treatment, and free counseling to children and families across Texas. Our programs are designed to address the complex needs of children who have experienced trauma due to abuse or neglect. We are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, ensuring adherence to the highest standards in child welfare. Our team employs Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques, a research-based approach developed by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development.With two residential treatment centersThe Ranch and Audrey Grace Housewe offer individualized therapeutic care for children aged 5 to 17. Our free community counseling services (FAYS) provide critical support to families facing conflict or crisis. We train and license foster families in Abilene, Brownwood, San Angelo, and surrounding areas. Our mission remains steadfast: to keep children first by creating safe, healing environments that foster growth, resilience, and lifelong success. Through decades of experience and unwavering commitment, we continue to transform lives and build stronger families across Texas.
Services
Foster Care
Adoption Services
Residential Treatment
Free Counseling
Family Support
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of experience in child welfare and behavioral health
- TBRI-certified programs for trauma-informed care developed at Texas Christian University
- Nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA)
- 24-hour crisis intervention services available statewide
- Free community counseling and in-home support programs
Associations and certifications
- Council on Accreditation
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Certified Agency
What people say
Changed countless lives
Saved and healed
Lifelong impact
Trauma-informed care
Successful reunifications
Services
Foster Care
We provide licensed foster care placements for children aged birth to 18 in Texas communities. Our program trains families to offer safe, supportive environments while maintaining children's connections to schools and communities. Therapeutic support services accompany each placement to address trauma from abuse or neglect.
Adoption Services
Our adoption program specializes in placing older children (ages 6+) and sibling groups from foster care. We support families through the process of creating permanent, loving homes for children with histories of significant trauma. Services include pre-adoption training and post-placement support.
Residential Treatment
We operate two residential treatment centers for children aged 5-17 with emotional and behavioral challenges. The Ranch in Goldthwaite and Audrey Grace House in Abilene offer 24/7 therapeutic care, individualized treatment plans, and accredited educational programs in structured environments.
Free Counseling
Our FAYS program provides free in-home and in-school counseling for Texas families facing conflict or crisis. Services include crisis intervention, skills-based training, and advocacy for children aged 6-17 experiencing school issues, homelessness, or legal challenges.
Family Support
We offer specialized training programs for foster and adoptive parents, including respite care certification. Our support services help families develop trauma-informed parenting techniques and navigate the unique challenges of caring for children from hard places.
People
Michael J. Redden
Chief Executive Officer
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of leadership in child welfare. Specializes in trauma-informed care and organizational development for youth services.
Matthew Petersen
Chief Operating Officer
Master's degree holder in organizational leadership with extensive experience managing therapeutic programs for at-risk youth across Texas residential facilities.
Clay Thomas
Audrey Grace House Administrator
Master's level clinician with specialized expertise in implementing TBRI methodologies within residential treatment settings for emotionally traumatized children.
Brandi Batten
Ranch Administrator
Licensed clinical social worker overseeing daily operations at The Ranch facility, ensuring quality therapeutic care delivery for boys and girls aged 5-17.
Allison Wesson
Family Services Director
Licensed master social worker coordinating community-based counseling services and family support programs across multiple Texas counties for at-risk youth.
Questions
What age children do you serve through foster care?
We provide foster care services for children from birth through 18 years old across Texas.
Do you offer adoption services for infants?
While we specialize in older child and sibling group adoptions, we can connect families with agencies that handle infant adoptions.
Are your counseling services available statewide?
Free counseling services are available in eight Texas counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Jones, Mills, McCulloch, San Saba, and Taylor.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
We implement Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques, an evidence-based model developed at Texas Christian University for children from hard places.
How long do children typically stay in residential treatment?
Residential treatment duration varies by individual need, with average stays ranging from 9 to 12 months at Audrey Grace House.
Do you provide 24-hour emergency support?
Yes, our 24-hour Family and Youth Services Crisis Line (877-261-3777) offers immediate assistance for urgent situations.
