AG 2002 07 22 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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SECTION IV i COMPONENT NARRATIVE (Attach for each component) Briefly describe what the program expects to achieve and why. The narrative should address each of the followinq items ( ~) Identify the staff and their responsibilities to the program, (2) describe the physical facilities in which the services will be delivered, (3) discuss any areas of concem that could affect the success of the program; (4) discuss' why these resources used in the manner described should be expected to alter inappropriate behavior, (5) describe the referral, screening and admissions procedures, (6) describe the means of working with youth and families, (7) describe the protective factors the program will use to address the identified risk factors, (8) describe the daily program activities, (9) describe the termination procedures,' and ('10) describe the interaction with juvenile court. (1) There are three Home Based Counselors who work full time to serve the juveniles referred to the program. Each worker is responsible for carrying 10 cases. The workers must meet with every family on the caseload weekly. Frequent contact assures that the children and adults are following the case plan or if not, the Home Based Counselor is confronting the problem. All families, are given a pager number for the worker so that they can receive assistance as needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (2) Generally speaking, Home Based Services are provided in the family home. This feature of the program is helpful in eliminating many barriers to services. Some families lack transportation and some parents are disorganized or forgetful when it comes to keeping appointments. Some teenagers are resistant to counseling and the parents may have difficulty getting them in the car to go to an agency. Bringing the counseling to the family home makes it possible for all family members to participate. The Home Based Counselor has flexible work hours to meet the needs of clients. Furthermore, seeing the family in their "natural setting" allows them to be more comfortable and they often display more of their true selves. Home Based Counselors are able to meet with the family in other settings when appropriate. (3) The success of the Home Based program depends upon a family's willingness to accept responsibility and make a corrF~nitment to chang'e. The family is in control of their destiny. The Home'Based counselor can teach the family certain skills t:o help them be more successful, but the worker cannot make the changes for them. (4) These resources are expected to alter inappropriate behavior because a team effort is involved. The parents, children, and the Home Based counselor work together to achieve goals. If a child has a Court Counselor, mental health professional, or other service provider involved, that person will be a part of the treatment team. School teachers, guidance counselors, and school social workers are frequently consulted on behalf of the child. In working with families, it is important to recognize that all family members have an agenda. The case plan should include input from everyone so that this intervention becomes a "win/win" situation. The parents 'are able to get some of what they want; the children are able to get some .of what they want; and the Home Based counselor is able to help achieve the goals identified by the referral source (Juvenile Services). (5) The referral, screening and admission procedures for Home Based are as follows: Juvenile Court Counselors fill out a referral form and typically mail this to DSS. Within 72 hours of receiving the referral, the supervisor will assign the case to a Home Based worker and that person will attempt to contact the family. If the Home Based counselor cannot reach the family by telephone, an appointment letter will be mailed." (Occasionally all of the Home Based counselors have full caseloads and they may not be immediately available to see a family. If this occurs, the family is notified and other available treatment options are discussed.) As soon as the Home Based counselor is able to reach a family and schedule an appointment, a home visit is made. All family members are interviewed and relevant history is collected. We explain our program to families and let them know that it is voluntary and they must be committed to the goal of keeping the child in the family home in order to participate. If the family is receptive, the case is then staffed with the supervisor. Most cases are accepted for services unless the child has serious mental health problems andis in need of a different type of intervention or unless the child or family poses a safety risk for the worker. (6) Home Based counselors use a variety of techniques when working with families. Often they must start with crisis intervention and stabilization. The choice of counseling techniques is based on the problems