AG 1998 04 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROGRAM NARRATIVE Briefly describe what the program expects to achieve and why. ,4 t a minimum, the narrative should include the following information: (I) 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 concern 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 admission procedures, (6) describe the means of working with youth and families, (7) describe the daily program activities or (8) describe the termination procedures. The Temporary Shelter Care is staffed by Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, Inc. and includes a director and four child care workers at all times. It is the responsibilities of staff to provide supervision, care, school attenrlance, problem solving, medical appointments, and implement a behavior modification program with each resident. Staff assures that requirement for visitation, activities, and appointments are held as scheduled. Twenty-four hour care including food, clothing, shelter, and supervision is provided by the home staff. The Temporary Shelter is housed in the city of concord and is a two-story structure containing six bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry area, and office. Two baths are available for the children and five bedrooms are available for them. A separate bedroom and bath are available for a child care worker so that one is on the premises at all times. The backyard is fenced in and there is a three-space carport and basketball goal outside. The facility is located in the downtown area close to the Boys Club, library, shopping centers, and recreational center. The program can be very effective with children whose needs can be met by a behavior modification system. Concerns that affect the success of the program are: (1) The severely emotionally disturbed child or chronic substance abuser who is unable to be served in a facility that is not treatment oriented for specific problems; (2) The lack of long-term care facilities for the child to enter after leaving the program when he cannot return home. During the past year the problems identified by these residents have been very severe and the lack of resources for placement for treatment or unavailability of a timely long-term placement facility creates concern because the child cannot move directly into continued placement. A group home specializing n working with teenagers before the court such as this facility has impact on changing a child's behavior. The child receives structure in consistent discipline, constant supervision, and can show non- delinquent/undisciplined behaviors while in placement. We have found that the home has been full almost constantly. Some of the children at the home have ended up going to psychiatric care including hospitalization and some have gone to training school. We have found the problems of the children placed in the home have been severe and resources for long-term placements have declined for the severely emotionally disturbed child. A burglar alarm was installed in the group home and this has tremendously affected the number of runaways. Prior to the installation of the alarm, the juveniles could crawl out of the window during the night and mn away. Now the alarm goes off and staff is alerted during the night; however, juveniles do not attempt to mn since they know all windows and doors have alarms activated. Referrals for placement are accepted from community agencies and the majority comes from the Juvenile Court counselors. The counselor notifies the Depathaent of Social Services that a child needs placement and provides information regarding the child. The DSS social worker visits the child and family and completes an assessment for placement at the home. Ali youth served in this program will be under the custody of and recommended by the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services. The decision for admitting a youth will be the responsibility of the program manager and a consultation with the director of the facility. Any youth may be admitted to the program at any time through the day or night on any day of the year. He may remain for a maximum of ninety days after consultation with the director of the facility. A child remains in the program as long as there is a need, not to exceed ninety days unless an extension is granted. The child is terminated from the program when a long- term placement is located, the e. hild is returned to his natural home, or the child is admitted to some other facility including treatment for psychiatric problems.