AG 1995 05 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 (continued) Individual and family work are the primary intervention strategies involved for the home-based worker. The worker attempts to provide support for the family and enhance the coping skills of family and youth. Each case is staffed weekly by the worker and other individuals deemed appropriate who have interest in the family's situation and treatment. Besides counseling, the worker attempts to engage other community resources which may be helpful to the family and referrals are made to other community agencies. The plans may involve assisting the parents with making appropriate plans for placement, working with the placement resources and the family in developing a plan of payment, or placement in the custody of the Department of Social Services if the situation necessitates such action. Other referrals may be made to Salvation Army, Christian Cooperative Ministry, Piedmont Mental Health Center, Cabarrus Health Department, etc. Overall 74% of youth in the program are age 14-17. 77% are white and 54% are female. Intervention focuses on helping the family to cope with their current problems. Counseling involves problem solving techniques, improvement of family communication, development of understanding among family members, help with parenting skills and the improvement of lines of communication between parents and other involved agencies. Families are involved with the program for an average of 120 days. The amount of follow-up in the program varies on a case-by-case basis, but never exceeds six months total time. The worker spends 70% of time in direct services to youth and their families. The Cabarrus County Department of Social Services made a proposal for Home-Based Services in May of 1988 and was approved by the Cabarrus County CBA Task Force and Cabarrus County Board of County Commissioners. The home-based program is staffed by two workers. One has over 14 years experience with the Department of Social Services. She has strong experience in working with Child Protective Services cases has excellent knowledge of community resources and is effective at maintaining good relationships with juvenile court staff. In addition, she is pursuing a master's degree in counseling form UNC-Charlotte. The second home based worker has been with the agency since February, 1994. He joined the agency when Home-Based Services received CBA expansion funds aimed at serving those CBA youth with the highest levels of severity. He has a MA in counseling from Appalachian State University and has very strong clinical skills. It seems that children who are referred early in their involvement with juvenile court benefit most from the service. In this way, prompt intensive counseling and services may be provided to the family before more crises develop and the family situation deteriorates further. To this end, agency staff have regular contact with the Juvenile court judges and counselors to discuss the services and referral process.