Therapeutic Approach
Phoenix Homes treatment will vary clinically and individually, based on each youths needs. From the beginning, the youth will have support services wrapped around him/her. Phoenix Homes' staff will attempt to arrange for as normal a daily schedule as possible in consideration of the youths age and behavior. Youth will be expected to attend school, do household chores, and have social interactions reasonable for their age and mental state.
In consideration of the types of youth in this program, our Masters level Supervisor (Divisional Treatment Administrator) will be responsible to oversee the development of a clinical intervention plan for each youth in the program. Because of their histories, we know there is often much anger and resentment, as well as problems with social and communication skills. They will have the ability to vent their frustrations in a socially acceptable way and through the use of Cognitive/Behavioral counseling will be able to better understand what triggers their anger and how to control it. A Therapist and a Family Treatment Coordinator will be assigned to each youth in the program. Initial assessments include Child and Adolescent Functioning Assessment Scale (CAFAS), and a number of other assessments are utilized given specific indications (depression, drug and alcohol involvement, suicide ideation, etc). A complete psychological battery will be administered, if indicated and no recent one is available.
The Family Treatment Coordinator (FTC) will review the issues of supervision, transportation, recreation, skills building, educational progress, counseling needs, etc. with each family during weekly visits. The FTC will also address with the Professional Treatment Facilitator (substitute parent) any issues raised by the youth in their weekly contacts. Case notes will be maintained to monitor each familys activities and needs in these areas. Discipline procedures will also be discussed on a regular basis to re-emphasize what pre-service training taught.
Professional Treatment Facilitators are prohibited from using corporal punishment, chemical restraints, or mechanical restraints in disciplining or controlling youth placed in their care. When indicated a behavior management plan for use with the youth placed in their home will be developed. This plan must be approved by Phoenix Homes be maintained in the agencys case file for each youth.