GROUP HOMES

BENEFITS
The program at our group homes offers the following:

Structured and Consistent Environment:

A structured and consistent environment is imperative to meet the needs of the group as a whole as well as the individual. Children need to be provided with the security and safety that structure and consistency provides in order for them to be able to grow and make positive decisions in their lives. This structure provides them with the knowledge necessary in learning to live with others. It allows them to experience a type of authority that empowers and informs. The consistency of the reinforcement schedule is reflective of the efforts of the staff and directors within the house. All staff share responsibility equally for the maintenance and development of the structure and consistency of the program. This will be reflected in the scheduling of shifts, to the plan of cares and the day today living within the house. Ongoing staff development and training is also imperative in creating and maintaining this environment.

Adaptive:

The development and effectiveness of treatment plans for the individual residents is based on their specific needs and is assessed through:

1. Data - referral package, previous testing, and so forth,
2. Interviews with the Clinical Support Team and in-house staff,
3. Observation of interactions within the home
4. Relationships and interactions within the community (school, friends, C.A.S.,etc.)
5. Plans of Care, Method Plans, and Progress Reports

The exact treatment focus then, in conjunction with focused and goal-oriented plan of cares, consists of:

1. Comprehensive Intake Procedures and Orientation
2. Individual Therapy with one of the Clinical Support Staff such as a Social Worker, or Addictions Counselor
3. Group Sessions either inside the home and/or provided by the community One-to-One sessions with a staff person
4. A structured reinforcement program
5. Family Therapy
6. Advocacy with other institutions
7. Crisis Management (ICMP Plan)
8. Regular and ongoing review of progress

Social Skills and Life Skills Groups:

Group meetings will take place at Bryce House on a weekly basis. The emphasis of these groups will be on developing Social and Life Skills. The ability to participate in a group is in and of itself a skill that requires practice, encouragement and structure. Each program will provide guidance and support to its residents through these focused and informative group settings. The topics of these groups may include such things as budgeting, anger and conflict resolution, sexual assault information and support, body image awareness and/or drug and alcohol awareness. Guest speakers will also be included in these groups to provide support and inforamtion for the residents.

Clinical Resources:

Youth residing at Bryce House will also have the opportunity to access the Clinical Resources available to the house as discussed in the Staff, Staff Development and Financial Resources Section of this document. Bryce House has access to a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and Educational Consultant. These professionals are available for individual counseling for the youth and consultation for the staff team. As well, the youth will have the opportunity to interact with a staff member on a One to One basis at regular intervals to work on such things as meeting the goals as established in their Goal Plans and Plans of Care.

Community Resources:

We endeavor to provide as many of the services and resources needed to meet the needs of residents within our program. However, there are times when a child may benefit from the use of outside resources. Those youth who have already made a connection with a counselor from a service in the community prior to placement at Bryce House will be encouraged to maintain this relationship in order to provide a continuity of service. The Directors and Senior Staff continue to develop and maintain a good working relationship with other social, educational and health resources within the community.

Day Treatment/Educational Component:

Terrace Youth Residential Services (TYRS) presently operates day treatment programs within the Upper Canada District School Board. TYRS also provides an enhancement school program. A full time education facilitator provides tutoring assistance with academic projects etc. for all TYRS residents in the area. The program facilitates, half day, children on suspension or withdrawal's and crisis backup for the elementary section 19 classrooms. Presently, TYRS are setting up a day treatment program with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

The Day Treatment Coordinator supervises the academic component and provides additional support and training on a day to day basis.

All referrals, where possible, will be encouraged to attend mainstream schools. The availability of our treatment oriented educational program will assist in the programming and supervision of students who are unable to cope with the traditional structures, organization or demands of a conventional educational environment. Individual planning, based on the understanding needs of each child, are developed with the goals of promoting a positive self image, positive interpersonal effectiveness and enhancement of strengths and talents. It is preferable that all students be identified/assessed through the Board of Education Identification, Placement and Review Committee.

Community Out-Reach Program:

We believe that the successful integration of the children into our program and community is related to the acceptance of the home itself within the community. In appreciation and acknowledgment of the support and services we receive from individuals and programs within our community we endeavor to offer various supports back to the community. As part of our Community Out-reach Program we will provide support groups for parents and/or youth at various times throughout the year. We welcome the prospect of working collaboratively in the future with other agencies in offering these services.

Recreation, Creativity and Culture:

We believe strongly that a major contributing factor of emotional well-being is physical health. Residents are encouraged to participate in as much physical activity as possible. Regular outings to the local swimming pool, school gymnasium, recreational park etc. are a major component of our over-all program. Out door camping and down hill skiing are also seasonal components of the program. Children are also encouraged to participate in a recreational activity of their own, independent of the house. This could include more creative activities such as taking piano or guitar lessons. Residents are encouraged to be involved not only in an activity they are familiar with but also to experiment and try activities new to them. Arts and crafts within the house will be encouraged as a creative activity and will also be used as a therapeutic tool in individual and group interactions.