About Us

Mission
The mission of Wordsworth, a not-for-profit institution founded in 1952, is to provide quality Education, Treatment and Care to children and families with special needs. The primary objective is to help each client be successful in their family and community. This is best accomplished by drawing on the strengths and resources of each child and family and developing a vision with reality based outcomes and achievable goals.

Philosophy
Wordsworth recognizes and respects the differing cultural beliefs, values, attitudes and expectations of our clients and families. Actively partnering with the family and child, our team of professionals assesses needs and strengths and builds a plan for achievable goals. We can link effective education, treatment and care for optimal positive outcomes. With an array of comprehensive services of varying intensity, we provide the opportunity for continuous improvement. Wordsworth responds to the changing requirements of our community, children, and families. In an environment of mutual respect and understanding, Wordsworth maintains a skilled and dedicated staff to achieve our mission with compassionate care.

Highlights
Wordsworth provides high-quality human services to children and adolescents who have special learning, social adjustment, dependency or behavioral health needs. Individuals requiring a range of special services have access to individual plans for residential, clinical and education assistance. All services are administered by case managers in close coordination with all other community resources. From day one, the goal is discharge.

Licensing / Approvals / Accreditations
JCAHO - Full Accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare licensure for Mental Health, and Children, Youth & Family Programs
Pennsylvania Department of Education licensure for school programs
New Jersey Division of Family and Youth Services license
Medicaid Approved (Pennsylvania and New Jersey)
Type 50 Mental Health Services Provider

History
Founded in 1952 as The Matthews School, Wordsworth originally served children with severe reading disabilities. In 1965, upon the retirement of Mrs. Matthews, our founder, Gerald Schatz, an educator and psychologist, assumed ownership and management of the school. Since then, the school that once served 20 children now serves more than 2,000 clients with a full continuum of educational and treatment services for children and adolescents with a wide range of special education and mental health needs. This includes over 110 beds for residential treatment, more than 600 children and adolescents in educational programs, and approximately 1,500 children and their families using community mental health and placement services. Wordsworth now has facilities throughout SouthEastern Pennsylvania and Harrisburg.

Board of Directors