A Place of Refuge
Our Method
Trauma-Informed Care
Serving sex-trafficked, commercially sexually exploited, and at-risk youth, the foundation of our approach is a trauma-informed care model. This model is an individualized, strength-based framework that understands the impact of trauma in an individual’s life and therefore focuses treatment on interventions and responses that promote the emotional, physical and psychological safety of the youth. In addition, trauma informed care seeks to empower the youth and support them in reclaiming a sense of control and self-determination.
Our History
Founded in 1976 by Gerome and Shirley Jahn
Gerome and Shirley Jahn opened the doors of Little Sand Group Home on the 4th of July 1976. Their vision for providing a home-like, nurturing environment for youth was realized when they started the small group home (currently known as Little Sand West) on the lakeshore property of Little Sand Lake in Remer, Minnesota. Gerome and Shirley possessed a deep compassion and enthusiasm for working with youth and created this home as a resource and in some cases a refuge.
House of David and Alternative School
This successful houseparent model was duplicated in 1982 when House of David was established in Elk River, MN. That same year, Little Sand Group Home was provided an on-site alternative school setting staffed and run by District 118. This school is still thriving today, providing individualized, student-centered learning with the goal of creating a successful and positive school experience for all students.
Little Sand East and Little Sand Lakeside
In 1984, Little Sand moved House of David’s location to Remer and renamed the group home Little Sand East, as it was situated in the east part of town along the Willow River. In addition, Little Sand purchased an adjoining property to the West home and that was named Little Sand Lakeside.
Boys Home
In 1986, Little Sand East was modified from a girls’ group home to one for boys. The boys’ home operated for approximately two years and then was converted back to a residence for girls. This decision was based on the awareness that the programming that Little Sand excelled at was geared better for female populations, versus co-ed, therefore a more focused, consolidated and gender specific plan came about in regard to the three homes.
A Place of Refuge
Since 1976, Little Sand Group Homes has continually grown, changed, adapted and expanded in all areas of service. Still at the core of all of our programming and care for our residents is the nurturing, supportive family-living environment. We pride ourselves with providing a therapeutic experience in which children can feel safe and understood, appreciated and recognized for the individuals that they are.
Our Team
The Little Sand team consists of many devoted and caring staff. Our leadership team consists of valuable members who have been with the agency for over 25 years. In addition, there are also a significant number of employees who have been with Little Sand between 5-10 years. Staff retention, loyalty, and commitment all contribute to a team of individuals who are dedicated to helping transform lives for the better. Little Sand utilizes a live-in houseparent model to create a family-like environment with consistency and structure that promotes the development of healthy relationships.
Who We Serve
We provide out-of-home care to adolescent biological females ages 12-17 of all cultural backgrounds.
The youth may be placed either voluntarily or under court order. They must have an IQ of 80 or higher.
Residents must be able to regulate enough to work within our houseparent model of staffing where our staff sleep at night. Our facility is alarmed but not locked. Though we are fully trained in restrictive procedures, we have a hands-off approach to staffing.
Typical Presenting Issues:
- Truancy and/or educational difficulties
- Runaway history
- Minor alcohol/drug use
- Sexual acting out, vulnerability to or victims of sex trafficking
- Oppositional/defiant/disrespectful interactions with authority
- Poor social/relationship skills
- Other behavioral and/or emotional difficulties stemming from unresolved grief, loss or abandonment, or physical, emotional and sexual abuse
We Do Not Accept Children Who Present as:
- Actively psychotic
- Actively suicidal
- Having committed sexual offenses against others
- In need of in-patient chemical dependency treatment
- Danger to self/others
- Having other psychological diagnoses or fragile medical conditions that prevent them from successfully participating in Little Sand Programming
- IQ Below 80
Referrals
Per diem: $399.94
REFERRAL PROCESS:
Please contact us by phone: 218-566-2342 or e-mail us at littlesandgrouphome@gmail.com
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Reason for placement/behaviors in need of attention/mental health concerns
- Diagnostic assessment and/or psychological evaluation findings
- Recommendations (if any) for group home level of care
- IQ
- Social History
- Placement History
Location
Little Sand West and Lakeside are located on Little Sand Lake in Remer, Minnesota. The serene, rural location provides a calm and healing environment for the youth we serve, as well as a variety of recreational and leisure-time opportunities for them to enjoy.
Little Sand is flexible in regard to providing transportation to court hearings, sibling or family visits and works together with the team as often as possible in scheduling meetings locations and times that are accessible and convenient for parties involved in the resident’s programs.
In the event that Little Sand Group Homes would cease to operate, all records could be located at The Freedom Ranch, 16966 County Road 2, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Little Sand Group Homes
5910 Little Sand Lane NE
Remer, MN 56672
MAILING ADDRESS
Little Sand Group Homes
P.O. Box 40
Remer, MN 56672