After extensive renovations, Arrowhead Ranch is ready to serve more at-risk young people. Tomorrow, the residential treatment center and school will host its annual Round-Up and kick off a national advertising campaign.
Dr. Chester Lien, Chief Executive Officer, says last year, the Arrowhead board decided to spend its savings on remodeling all the buildings and landscaping. Contractors started working late last year. About ten students currently live on the campus in rural Coal Valley. He hopes that number rises quickly to more than 40.
Forty-two people work at Arrowhead. And Lien says he'll hire more employees as needed.
The national ad campaign is designed to raise Arrowhead's profile with industry experts known as educational consultants who help parents find facilities that meet the needs of their children.
Historically, Arrowhead has served 12-to-21-year-olds sent by counties, school districts, and parents. It receives no state funding.
Arrowhead was founded more than 70 years ago as the Rock Island County Boys Farm School. Most of the existing campus was built in the late 1960's.
Arrowhead's Round-Up runs from 9 am until 2 pm tomorrow and will feature a car auction and fall festival.