Several group homes housing troubled young people in Redding will close.
Authorities have begun the process of finding new placements for about 60 youngsters under the care of Victor Treatment Centers, which announced it was closing its Redding facilities.
The Chico-based organization runs group homes for juveniles coping with emotional, behavioral and mental disorders. It operates in Butte, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sonoma, and Shasta counties, but not for much longer in the latter.
In an email, Scott Murray, Deputy Director of Public Affairs and Outreach Programs at the California Department of Social Services, said counties that put juveniles into Victor’s care were being told to find new placements.
Several violent attacks against staffers at group homes in Redding over recent months have required a police response. The company houses about 60 children, operates a school and has 90 employees in Redding.
Calls requesting additional comments were referred to the Department of Social Services. In an emailed statement, Victor CEO Simona Cataldo said changes to “the face of” residential treatment led to the closure decision rather than recent events.