We believe that strengthening family connections and supporting parents to be the best parents they can be is the most effective approach to protecting our youth. These beliefs form the philosophical foundation of Sweetser's residential programs and shape our work from our initial family contact through discharge. Interventions are matched to the needs of those we serve as we build upon the family's own strengths and resources, never viewing the family as deficient or needing repair. As partners in service with families, we move away from controlling their relationships and towards collaboration.

Historically, residential programs have concerned themselves with child protection. While protection and safety are important goals, an over emphasis moves helping professionals into a position of control that stifles children and sends the message to their families that they are incompetent and untrustworthy. We have moved away from this stifling control to a stance of collaborating with families and our partners in care to assure safety for all family members and protection for the child. We are committed to working in a collaborative partnership with individuals, their families and other members of their support systems, in the least intrusive or restrictive manner possible always taking into account their unique cultural, ethnic and personal characteristics.

Our service approach is strengths based and person centered, building the individual's and family's own strengths and resources to develop achievable solutions. By promoting a mutually respectful, collaborative partnership we empower individuals and their families to manage their own path to recovery.