History
Mission Statement
In 1916, Mrs. Thomas M. Spofford gave her mansion, at 25th and Paseo, to the women of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be used as an orphanage. For the next 18 years, her generosity provided a haven for dependent and neglected children. Then, in 1940, Spofford began treating children with emotional problems, and holds the distinction of being one of the first agencies in Kansas City to offer these services for children. The present facility at 9700 Grandview Road in Kansas City, Missouri, opened in 1978 and was designed specifically designed for residential care.
Spofford continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of our community. During the 1980s Spofford led a movement toward family centered care, resulting in the establishment of family-focused treatment services in 1995. Foster care services, including recruitment, training, and case management, were added in 1996. In 2004 the Spofford Strengthening Families Program was developed in partnership with area school districts, with school-based case management services and SCAMPS summer day camp beginning in 2005. Throughout Spofford’s history we have maintained our commitment to providing top quality Residential treatment services for young children, ages 4 - 12.
Recent Accomplishments
- 2006: Spofford achieves Council on Accreditation "Community of Excellence" status and accreditation through 2010, by demonstrating full compliance with over 600 national standards. Spofford also earned United Way Certification through 2009.
- 2005: School-based case management services begin to be offered for at-risk elementary students and their families, in order to support achievement of success in the home, school and community. In addition, SCAMPS summer day camp is first offered to further development of social and behavioral skills as well as to provide structured curriculum during out-of-school time.
- 1998: Spofford is a founding partner with Gillis, Marillac and Ozanam to form Cornerstones of Care. The partnership offers a continuum of mental health and welfare services for children and their families.
- 1996: Spofford begins foster care and adoption case management services, which grew to be the third largest private provider of such services in the State of Missouri in 2005, prior to transitioning the service to our Cornerstones of Care partnership.
- 1991: Spofford pioneers organizational collaboration by joining Ozanam to form Spofford Ozanam Services (SOS) to provide family support service sin the Kansas City Northland area.
- 1981: Successful capital campaign adds two dormitories, a gymnasium, and art therapy room to the existing facility at 9700 Grandview Road, increasing residential capacity to 49 children, ages 4-12.
- 1978: Spofford relocates to 9700 Grandview Road with a capacity for 30 children in residence at any time.
- 1974: The Board of Directors purchases slightly more than 30 acres of land for a new campus at 9700 Grandview Road, and begins the building capital campaign.
- 1944: The Missouri State inspection supervisor’s report gives Spofford, "the very highest rating of any institution in Missouri."
- 1942: Spofford program changed from a child study clinic to residential treatment for emotionally disturbed children.
- 1934: Board purchases land at 5501 Cleveland. Financing for the new building was obtained by the Week of Prayer Offerings and gifts from groups, individuals, a "Mile of Dimes" project, the Loose Fund, income from candy machines, rodeos, and a Building Committee. The new facility houses 12 boys and 12 girls.
- 1928: Spofford receives its first licensing as a child-placing agency, which continues to present.
- 1927: Ms. Daisy Ritter, resident head mistress, envisions a "study home" to treat the problems of the children in residence. Cheny Jones, head of the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, Massachusetts, advises Spofford’s Board in creating a treatment program. Spofford begins to offer therapeutic services to children.
- 1922: Spofford receives licensure as a child-care agency under a new Missouri state law; which continues today.
- 1916: Juvenile Judge E.E. Porterfield negotiates with the Institutional Methodist-Episcopal Church, 702 Armour Boulevard, Kansas City, MO to care for the children coming through the courts who needed care. City health department determines that the children may not live at the church. Mrs. Thomas M. Spofford gives her 30-room home at 25h & Paseo to be known as the Thomas M. Spofford Receiving Home for Children in memory of her late husband. Twenty-nine children move to Spofford in October, 1916.
