Frequently Asked Questions
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others” (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, by Marianne Williamson, 1992).
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Mettle Child, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization taking pride in assuring that at-risk children and their families receive the highest standard of individualized, flexible, home and community-based supportive services by developing a comprehensive child focused care plan to address the family’s practical and material difficulties together with their psychological treatment needs in programs and services created to prevent child abuse through increased quality of family involvement in child rearing, and improved youth sustainability by being present, impactful, and available in the community where our suffering children live, learn, work and play.
Mettle Child provides restorative experiences to children with emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges and their families residing in Alabama Gulf Region communities.
Mettle Child provides intensive in-home and community-based services (e.g., onsite at child care and community centers, detention centers, residential placements, schools, youth's workplace; as well as safe and unique offsite locations) in Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties.
No.
If you suspect maltreatment of a child, please call your County Department of Human Resources or local law enforcement agency to report suspected abuse or neglect. Do not send reports of suspected abuse or neglect via email.
Mettle Child provides comprehensive experiential-based learning via creative play, family support, empowerment mentoring, and expressive arts to children ages 2 to 18, and their families from all socioeconomic class. Please visit our What We Do page for more information.
The enrollment process typically takes four weeks; and the application must be completed by the child's parent or legal guardian.
Mettle Child's resources are focused on creating an exceptional experience for your child. To ensure commitment to our programs and services, a $35.00 annual giving contribution is required for all children enrolled in Mettle Child.
Subjective monthly tuition is customized based on the level of care your family or group necessitates (e.g., crises, income, number of children enrolled, number of days and hours a week in which your family or group requires support).
Please Note: Qualifying families may receive membership free of charge. All membership is contingent upon successful participatory agreement adherence by your child and family.
Subjective monthly tuition is customized based on the level of care your family or group necessitates (e.g., crises, income, number of children enrolled, number of days and hours a week in which your family or group requires support).
Please Note: Qualifying families may receive membership free of charge. All membership is contingent upon successful participatory agreement adherence by your child and family.
Mettle Child operates 365 days a year from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST. Our talented and energetic counselors set the daily schedule based on the needs of your child (except during inclement weather or curtailed hours approved by the Executive Director or her designee when appropriate).
Inclement Weather Policy
Mettle Child is committed to safety and security. Should adverse weather conditions arise or be anticipated that would make it unsafe to conduct programs and services, and/or host activities or events, Mettle Child may close, cancel or postpone activities or events, and/or programs and services based on the overall concern for the safety and security of our children, families, counselors, and visitors.
Inclement Weather Policy
Mettle Child is committed to safety and security. Should adverse weather conditions arise or be anticipated that would make it unsafe to conduct programs and services, and/or host activities or events, Mettle Child may close, cancel or postpone activities or events, and/or programs and services based on the overall concern for the safety and security of our children, families, counselors, and visitors.
Mettle Child evaluates all programs on a quarterly basis. All programs operate according to clearly defined outcomes and objectives aimed at minimizing the risk factors for child maltreatment. Data and information collected during the evaluation are used to analyze the effectiveness of interventions and make improvements as necessary.
Results are shared with our families and Mettle Child's Mission Integration Team via readily accessible Individual Support Plans (ISP) and progress reports.
Results are shared with our families and Mettle Child's Mission Integration Team via readily accessible Individual Support Plans (ISP) and progress reports.
To combat stigmas, and as it is defined, our children are known as Protégés for they are a young person receiving help, guidance, training, and support from someone who is older and has more experience or influence.
Yes. All protégés must comply with the following dress code (members are subject to program disenrollment for habitual violation):
◦ All clothing and wears shall be clean and neat in appearance - When you look good, you feel good!
◦ Gang related clothing is specifically prohibited.
◦ Shirts with indecent or morally offensive humor or slogans are prohibited.
◦ Baggy pants are not permitted.
◦ No exposed undergarments.
◦ Clothing shall be appropriate size (not too big, not too small).
◦ Clothing shall not be revealing or sexually suggestive.
◦ All dresses, shorts, and skirts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee (e.g., short shorts or miniskirts).
◦ No cropped, fishnet, halter, sheer, or strapless dresses or shirts (no exceptions).
◦ No low-rise (lowrider or hipster) pants, shorts, or skirts.
◦ No spaghetti or noodle strap tops less than two inches in width (brassiere straps shall never be visible)
◦ Jewelry must be safe for physical activities and not distracting (no sharp, pointed, or studded items; and no large earrings).
◦ Comfortable, safe, appropriate for physical activities footwear is required at all times (no flip flops, high heels, open toes, or sandals).
◦ Buttons, badges, clothing, or other insignia which are obscene, display nudity, libelous or slanderous, incite members as to contribute to conflict or the disruption of the orderly operation of Mettle Child, depict violence and/or cruelty (firearms, grenades, knives, et cetera), or advertise alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are strictly prohibited.
Body Embellishments
◦ No Belly Rings
◦ No Tongue Rings
◦ No VISIBLE Tattoos - If a member has a tattoo, he or she must apply reasonable measures to conceal tattoo(s).
◦ All clothing and wears shall be clean and neat in appearance - When you look good, you feel good!
◦ Gang related clothing is specifically prohibited.
◦ Shirts with indecent or morally offensive humor or slogans are prohibited.
◦ Baggy pants are not permitted.
◦ No exposed undergarments.
◦ Clothing shall be appropriate size (not too big, not too small).
◦ Clothing shall not be revealing or sexually suggestive.
◦ All dresses, shorts, and skirts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee (e.g., short shorts or miniskirts).
◦ No cropped, fishnet, halter, sheer, or strapless dresses or shirts (no exceptions).
◦ No low-rise (lowrider or hipster) pants, shorts, or skirts.
◦ No spaghetti or noodle strap tops less than two inches in width (brassiere straps shall never be visible)
◦ Jewelry must be safe for physical activities and not distracting (no sharp, pointed, or studded items; and no large earrings).
◦ Comfortable, safe, appropriate for physical activities footwear is required at all times (no flip flops, high heels, open toes, or sandals).
◦ Buttons, badges, clothing, or other insignia which are obscene, display nudity, libelous or slanderous, incite members as to contribute to conflict or the disruption of the orderly operation of Mettle Child, depict violence and/or cruelty (firearms, grenades, knives, et cetera), or advertise alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are strictly prohibited.
Body Embellishments
◦ No Belly Rings
◦ No Tongue Rings
◦ No VISIBLE Tattoos - If a member has a tattoo, he or she must apply reasonable measures to conceal tattoo(s).
Yes. CAREaVan is Mettle Child's coordinated carpool service available on a pro re nata basis to all members, in the morning and afternoons. The service allows families to avoid sitting in traffic, as well as offers protégés the opportunity to attend our Aftercare Program.
For carpooling information, contact your Family Support Specialist to inquire about interested carpool partners.
For carpooling information, contact your Family Support Specialist to inquire about interested carpool partners.
No, unless otherwise stated. We value your child’s health, and require parents and legal guardians to pack healthy sack lunches and refreshments for their children. Examples of ideal snacks are: fruit, vegetables, whole grain bread and crackers, pretzels, cheese, and 100% fruit juice or water.
Please Note: Healthy meals are the foundation of growth, child development, and education. Therefore, snacks that are high in artificial sugars, or are highly processed; such as cookies, chips, and candy are prohibited. Cakes, cupcakes and other frosted treats shall be limited to celebratory events.
Mettle Child asks that you follow our guidelines when preparing your child's meals (lunch) and snacks to provide nutrition including carbohydrates, proteins and fat to give your child energy, while maintaining total calories within recommended ranges specific to your child’s age and level of activity.
Suggested Healthy, Balanced Meals and Refreshments:
◦ Water
◦ Fruit and vegetables
◦ Homemade food or sandwich
◦ Minimal sweets
◦ No candy
◦ No eggs - We Love Our Children with Egg Allergy
◦ No nut products (peanut butter, all tree nuts, or foods cooked in or containing peanut oil) - We Love Our Children with Nut Allergy
◦ No caffeine
◦ No soft drinks
Please Note: Healthy meals are the foundation of growth, child development, and education. Therefore, snacks that are high in artificial sugars, or are highly processed; such as cookies, chips, and candy are prohibited. Cakes, cupcakes and other frosted treats shall be limited to celebratory events.
Mettle Child asks that you follow our guidelines when preparing your child's meals (lunch) and snacks to provide nutrition including carbohydrates, proteins and fat to give your child energy, while maintaining total calories within recommended ranges specific to your child’s age and level of activity.
Suggested Healthy, Balanced Meals and Refreshments:
◦ Water
◦ Fruit and vegetables
◦ Homemade food or sandwich
◦ Minimal sweets
◦ No candy
◦ No eggs - We Love Our Children with Egg Allergy
◦ No nut products (peanut butter, all tree nuts, or foods cooked in or containing peanut oil) - We Love Our Children with Nut Allergy
◦ No caffeine
◦ No soft drinks
Mettle Child's field trip experiences are connected to active experiential learning to engage protégés in new and exciting discoveries. On occasion, we ask for parental chaperones to assist our counselors on field trips. However, to protect the privacy of the children and families we serve, plus our highly sensitive work with traumatized children; we simply cannot allow siblings to accompany protégés on field trips. We ask parents and legal guardians to attend to all children equally and fairly (i.e., no special treatment to thine own child).
No. Upon enrollment permission is granted by the parent or legal guardian for full participation in Mettle Child's activities, field trips, programs and services.
Society often forms a lasting impression of our community based on our actions. Thus, it is important for our members to carry themselves in a self-respecting manner to reflect our Mission, Vision and Values.
No. Electronic devices are not part of our active arts, mentoring, and play experiences; ergo CD/DVD/MP3 players and such artificial entertainments are not permissible.
If your child becomes ill
during the day, you will be notified, and are expected to pick up your child as
soon as possible.
If your child is ill, please notify us by phone in the morning or the previous evening.
A child with fever, wet cough, infections or any other illness that might be believed is contagious must be picked up immediately. A doctor's note is needed in order to return.
Children are to be kept home for at least 24 hours after temperature is normal.
Children with diarrhea must be kept home until the child has had three or four normal bowel movements (usually 24 hours after first normal bowel movement).
Parents must inform Mettle Child in writing of any visible or non-visible injury on their child including something that occurred to their child while away from Mettle Child.
If your child is ill, please notify us by phone in the morning or the previous evening.
A child with fever, wet cough, infections or any other illness that might be believed is contagious must be picked up immediately. A doctor's note is needed in order to return.
Children are to be kept home for at least 24 hours after temperature is normal.
Children with diarrhea must be kept home until the child has had three or four normal bowel movements (usually 24 hours after first normal bowel movement).
Parents must inform Mettle Child in writing of any visible or non-visible injury on their child including something that occurred to their child while away from Mettle Child.
Mettle Child has a whistleblower policy in place to encourage counselors and volunteers to come forward with credible information on illegal practices or violations of adopted policies of our organization. We protect all individuals from retaliation, and identify executive leadership and board members to whom such information may be reported.
i) Monetary gifts are especially important to us as we have immediate expenses to offset, such as the day-to-day costs of sustaining our Mission, Vision and Values.
ii) Take advantage of Workplace Giving. Your gift to Mettle Child can do double duty. Please check with your company's human resources department to see if your company matches gifts to nonprofit organizations.
iii) Remember Mettle Child in your will or trust: One of the most generous gestures individuals can make is leaving a bequest to a nonprofit organization. By designating a percentage of your will (a specific dollar amount or a residual gift), you leave a legacy that ensures our children will receive the care and dignity that they need to succeed. This is called a planned gift.
Unique tax benefits are vast via charitable giving and are but a few ways to make a positive impact in the life of a Mettle Child.
iv) Volunteer: interested supporters may complete our online become a volunteer application.
v) Shop for a worthy cause and purchase official Mettle Child merchandise through our online store.
ii) Take advantage of Workplace Giving. Your gift to Mettle Child can do double duty. Please check with your company's human resources department to see if your company matches gifts to nonprofit organizations.
iii) Remember Mettle Child in your will or trust: One of the most generous gestures individuals can make is leaving a bequest to a nonprofit organization. By designating a percentage of your will (a specific dollar amount or a residual gift), you leave a legacy that ensures our children will receive the care and dignity that they need to succeed. This is called a planned gift.
Unique tax benefits are vast via charitable giving and are but a few ways to make a positive impact in the life of a Mettle Child.
iv) Volunteer: interested supporters may complete our online become a volunteer application.
v) Shop for a worthy cause and purchase official Mettle Child merchandise through our online store.
For more information about Mettle Child, Inc., please direct your email notification to info@mettlechild.org