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Page 5
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<br />PROGRAM NARRATIVE
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<br /> Uwharrie Homes, Inc. exists to provide residential treatment services (up to 1
<br />year) to adolescent males (ages 10-17), in a structured and consist family-type
<br />atmosphere. As a treatment facility, we stdve to provide regular individual and group
<br />counseling through area mental health services as well as training in problem solving
<br />and conflict resolution. Tutoring, appropriate role modeling, and training in coping skills
<br />is also provided. We assist the families by offering training in parenting, supervision,
<br />and in using appropriate consequences. It is the ultimate goal of Uwharrie Homes to
<br />enable the client and family to function productively and learn to communicate positively.
<br />Further, it is our goal for the client to learn to respect authority, himself, and others, and
<br />to become a positive, contributing part of society.
<br /> Uwharrie Homes maintains a 3500 sq. ft. home located in Albemarle, NC. It
<br />consists of 4 client bedrooms, 2 staff bedrooms, 4 baths, kitchen, dining room, living
<br />room, and staff office. It functions as the hub of operations with the exception of the
<br />clients' educational needs being met at the local public school.
<br /> Four Resident Counselors provide supervision to 5 boys on a rotation of 2
<br />counselors on duty for 7 days and off 7 days. The Resident Counselors are responsible
<br />for monitoring the clients' behaviors, tracking the clients' progress through the point
<br />system, daily interventions concerning each client's individualized treatment goals,
<br />tutoring, and general daily operations of the group home. The Resident Counselors are
<br />supervised by the Executive Director.
<br /> Referrals are made to the Executive Director from Juvenile Court, Mental Health,
<br />DSS, schools, and parents. When contact is made, the Executive Director fills out a
<br />referral form. If the child appears to be an appropriate referral, a complete application
<br />packet is sent to the referral source with instructions to complete and gather the required
<br />materials and return it to the Executive Director. Upon receiving and reviewing the
<br />application materials, a time is scheduled for the child, parents/guardian, and referral
<br />agent to visit the group home. At that time, needs, problems, strengths, and goals are
<br />discussed, as well as an admission assessment being completed. If the Executive
<br />Director and the referral source feel that the child can benefit from the program, an
<br />Admissions committee (Executive Director, Resident Counselors, DSS representative,
<br />Albemarle City Schools representative, and Mental Health Case Manager) meeting is
<br />scheduled and the case is presented by the referral source to the committee. If the
<br />committee is in agreement that the child is an appropriate referral, an admission date is
<br />set. If any stipulations are made by the committee, they are to be completed prior to
<br />admission. If there is no waiting list, placement usually occurs within a month from
<br />referral.
<br /> When the child is admitted, he is given an introduction booklet that contains
<br />terms used at the group home, explains the level system, and also contains a printout of
<br />the Daily Schedule and the house rules. Counselors review the booklet with the client
<br />and answer any questions. Clients are placed on a point system and must "bank" points
<br />to move up the level system. Points, as well as logical and natural consequences, are a
<br />part of the behavior modification system employed at Uwharrie Homes. Points and
<br />privileges are earned (or lost) for positive (or negative) behaviors. Clients can also earn
<br />regular weekend visits with positive behavior.
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