The mission of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services is to provide high quality evidence-based psychiatric, residential, educational and recovery treatment services for children who suffer from severe emotional trauma, mental illness and/or addiction. Our goal is to restore wellness and provide support for successful reintegration into homes, families and communities.
Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services began in 1855 as The Jackson Orphan Asylum. With the mission to help, home, and nurture orphans who had lost their parents to the epidemic of yellow fever.
Sixty-five years later, in July 1920, Rev. Norman F. Marshall initiated a movement in Purdy, Virginia, aimed at founding a home for children. This effort grew out of the nationwide that same year, the Episcopal Home for Girls was established in the rectory of Grace Church in Emporia.
Episcopal Home for Girls merged with Jackson Orphan Asylum, which became The Jackson-Field Episcopal Home for Girls.
As the foster care system grew in the 1960s, the need for orphanages decreased.
Foster care system grew and orphanages decreased. The mission of Jackson-Field shifted to helping children who struggle with mental illness, emotional trauma, and substances abuse.
We established Gwaltney School to help children who struggle in the classroom. Gwaltney School distinguishes high quality educational services and make the culture where learning is B.I.G. – Bold, Invested, and Grateful.
Jackson-Field became co-educational.
We continue our passion in helping children who struggle with their mental health, emotional trauma, and substances abuse.