For more than 170 years, Edgewood Children's Center has put caring for children at the forefront. From 1834 when Ann M. Perry and a group of volunteer women founded the
St. Louis Protestant Orphan's Asylum, until 1944 when the children living on the current campus changed the name to Edgewood Children's Center, Edgewood has maintained a level of excellence and commitment unmatched by any other.

Over the years, Edgewood has bridged the transition from an orphanage to one of the finest children's treatment centers in the country. Mergers occurred in 1955 with the Forest Park Children's Center and in 1978 with the Girls' Home. In 1998, Edgewood acquired the former Childhaven, an agency serving children age 3 to 11 with very severe behavior and communication disorders, including autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Today Edgewood serves up to 350 children and families daily, through long and short-term residential and day treatment programs all managed from its 23-acre campus in the heart of Webster Groves. Children served by Edgewood have severe emotional, behavioral, learning and communication problems. Many have suffered from abuse or neglect. Some have been in as many as 10 or 12 other placements before coming to Edgewood. Many do not trust adults, have poor peer relationships and severe behavior management problems and may be extremely destructive.

Admissions

A physician, mental health professional, child welfare agency, educator or school district, juvenile court, insurance plan or individual family may refer children to Edgewood. More than 3,000 children and families are served annually by Edgewood.

Staff

Professional staff of Edgewood are highly credentialed in a variety of disciplines. They work as a team to provide treatment to each child and family. Each treatment team consists of a licensed therapist, a special education teacher, adjunctive therapists and psychiatric, educational and psychological consultants. The Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. accredits Edgewood Children's Center.

Affiliates

Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc Child Welfare League of America Missouri Coalition of Children's Agencies United Way of Greater St. Louis American Alliance for Health for Health Physical Education Recreation & Dance American Council on Gift Annuities Association of Fundraising Professionals Child Welfare League of America Council for Exceptional Children Family Support Council Missouri Department of Elementary/Secondary Education Missouri Department of Mental Health Missouri Department of Social Services, Children's Division