Florence Crittenton, a child who died of scarlet fever before she reached her fifth birthday, lived from 1877-1882. Her father, Charles Crittenton, was so distraught over the death of his daughter that he sought a way to make her name live forever. As a result of a religious experience, Mr. Crittenton established the Bleeker Street Mission in New York City to save the lives of girls and women who had abandoned themselves to the streets. Often with Mr. Crittenton's help, missions were established all over the country. The program in Topeka was established in 1900 with his $100 gift. Many people who know the Crittenton name associate it with support for unwed mothers. While this is an important part of Crittenton's legacy, the program has changed over time to meet the increasingly complex and acute needs of at-risk and system-involved girls, young women and their families across the state of Kansas.

Florence Crittenton Services continues to be a member of the 125-year old national Crittenton collaboration composed of 24 organizations in 23 states. This federation of agencies continues to be supported at the national level by The National Crittenton Foundation. In Kansas, we are proud to have been part of this network of agencies for over a century.

Our work is acknowledged and supported by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and the United Way of Greater Topeka. Our facility is licensed by the State of Kansas.

TODAY�. Much has changed in society since the early days of the Crittenton beginnings. As times have changed, so has Florence Crittenton Services. Today, as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF), Florence Crittenton provides cutting edge, comprehensive, gender-specific services to Kansas' most vulnerable girls and young women. Currently, Florence Crittenton is the only PRTF in Kansas that serves female clients only.

It provides a safe, stable, therapeutic home environment for 26 girls and young women who are in the custody of the state of Kansas' child welfare or juvenile justice systems, or those who are referred privately through mental health centers.