The HCCS General Population program is designed for young men between ages twelve (12) and seventeen (17) and their families. This program is designed for young men who, due to their behaviors, require out of home placement. These young men have struggled with community rules, school, and peer relationships. These young men have the potential to succeed when provided with a least restrictive living arrangement with an emphasis on utilizing a group and individual approach to therapy, problem solving, self regulation and behavioral management. The structure and design of the program allows for each client to have opportunities to interact in a residential living environment while maintaining a level of therapeutic independence with the group. The individuals at the program are involved in interventions such as finding employment, completing educational goals, developing positive structured recreational activities, and permanency planning. Additionally, the individuals served at this program are assisted in life skill development and to create a structured daily schedule in an attempt to reduce recidivism. Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Referral Source
Youth may be referred by the Department of Human Services or a local juvenile court.
Title IV E eligible.
Clients will meet the criteria for admission outlined in the behavior and diagnostic grid.
Program Components
Group Work
Group Therapy utilizes the Interpersonal (Change) Theory. This model assists youth with relationships, social skills, problem solving, and working effectively with others. Group work may be supplemented with psycho-educational teaching experiences. Group Work (Therapeutic and Psycho-Educational) is five days per week, on site. Sessions will be facilitated by the Program Coordinator in 90 minute sessions, and occur at the same time each day. Sessions aim to set in motion positive changes, through maintenance and generalization of skills and motivation.
Individual Therapy
A clinician meets with youth to develop treatment goals, assess progress, review plans of action and assist youth in making treatment gains to prepare them for permanency and transition planning. Individual Therapy is available for clients to supplement the work done in group meetings and family sessions and to work on issues such as emotional regulation, coping skills, anger management, problem solving, and relationship building.
Family Therapy
Youth and their parent(s)/guardian are provided an opportunity to participate in family therapy sessions. The sessions are focused on areas such as family expectations, youth behaviors, family communication and coping skills. A variety of modalities are utilized to engage the entire family in the therapeutic process. Family Work is made available on a bi-weekly basis to address issues that impact the family system to support the youth’s reunification, as applicable.
Psychiatric Services
Services may include psychiatric evaluation, medication reviews and psychiatric consultation. Youth are supported to gain knowledge about the prescribed psychotropic medications and the medication purpose.
Educational
Educational services are offered on site. Youth will attend Public School Monday through Friday year long. There are Special Education certified teachers to assist youth with their academic needs. Daily attendance and youth’s academic progress are monitored, recorded, and submitted to the case manager and families on a quarterly basis. Youth are also encouraged and assisted in tutoring services to support educational success.
Spirituality
Youth are given the opportunity to attend religious services. Holy Cross Children's Services chaplains are also available in the event of any incidents of personal loss suffered by a youth in our care.
Medical Services
Medical, dental and optical services are provided on and off campus by certified professionals.
Community Service
All youth participate in community service projects on and off campus.
Recreation
Recreational experiences promote health teamwork and or social skills development. Youth are provided the opportunity for daily physical activity according to schedule. There is a pool, two gyms, outside basketball, football and baseball fields. Activities such as an intramural sports program are designed to promote teamwork and sportsmanship. Other activities are social in nature and provide opportunities for clients to pursue personal interests and hobbies.
Transition Planning
Transition planning starts at intake. Planning is provided to ensure a sufficient transition back into resources within the youth’s family, community, and school. Settings such as school, and supportive services are identified, as needed. The Family Therapist will be available to the youth and the family to help address aftercare planning coordination and family stabilization for the first 60 days following program release, if the youth is placed in a family setting unless such service is waived in writing by the local DHS office supervisor.
Therapeutic Home Visits
Therapeutic home visits provide opportunities for day and overnight visits with the parents/guardians. The youth and his family have the opportunity to practice new skills and basic expectations in the community. All therapeutic home visits are pre-approved by the referring agency.
Staffing
The treatment team consists of a Quality Manager, Psychiatrist Consultant, Treatment Coordinator, Family Worker, Treatment Specialists, and Teachers. Staffing ratios during waking hours are 1:10 and 1:15 overnight.
Anticipated Outcomes
- 90% youth accepted into the program will be released from the program to a less secure environment.
- 90% of youth who are discharged to a community setting shall remain in a community setting for at least 6 months.
- 90% of youth are enrolled in school, GED courses, trade school, higher education and/or employed.
