ST. CLOUD - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud announced on Friday that it will stop services at its Intensive Treatment Unit in Fergus Falls.

Steve Bresnahan, the executive director of Catholic Charities, says they couldn't find enough or retain qualified staff to provide at the unit.

"It takes a special kind of person to work with the troubled youth we serve," Bresnahan says. "We've tried in many ways, but we simply haven't been able to find enough of them."

Catholic Charities started a program for troubled youth in the area in 1989. The program first operated on the grounds of a former State hospital. In the mid-2000's the program moved to a new building.

The five kids currently at the Intensive Treatment Unit will be transferred to other treatment facilities. There are two similar facilities available, one in the Twin Cities and another at the new Intensive Treatment Cottage in St. Cloud.

The new St. Cloud facility opened earlier this year and has more than 19,000 square feet of space. The building is located at 1726 7th Avenue South and cost about $4.6 million.

Kids will be transferred to other facilities based on their needs and their families desires.

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