Trail Association for Community Living. Handbook for the Child and Youth Care Program

Transcription

1 Trail Association for Community Living Handbook for the Child and Youth Care Program 2015

2 Child and Youth Care Program A Service of: Trail Association for Community Living Hand book Page 1

3 The CYC program and staff are dedicated to helping children and youth with needs relating to their physical, emotional, and mental health and development, and behaviour. We support each one to become part of a steady, respectful, and enjoyable learning environment and to become a part of an inclusive and compassionate community. We celebrate and encourage difference and individuality, the need for choices, independence and growth. We understand the importance of spending time with a group of peers developing lifelong friendships. We acknowledge that every person deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Hand book Page 2

4 Table of Contents Who We Are The Team 04 History of Trail Association for Community Living 05 How to get in touch with us 06 Management team 06 What We Do In pictures 07 In words 08 Regular Programming 09 Communication 10 Positive Support Strategies 11 Diversity and Inclusion 12 Where We Do It 13 When we do it 13 How We Do It 14 Funding 14 Rights of the Child 14 Conflict Resolution 15 Why We Do It 16 Mission Statement Hand book Page 3

5 Who We ARE The Team Staffing levels vary depending on the needs of the Children and youth that we serve. Staffing ratios meet or exceed accepted levels. Staff is not assigned one on one with any particular child or youth. We function as a team and all staff spends time nurturing a relationship with each participant Hand book Page 4

6 History of Trail Association for Community Living Trail Association for Community Living (TACL) has been providing support and services to people with developmental disabilities for over 60 years. Originally the Kootenay Society for Handicapped Children, our organization wanted to provide an opportunity for children with developmental disabilities to live and learn in their own community. Therefore, in the early 1950 s a member of the Trail community donated their home to run a school for children with disabilities. The Society continued to make changes and was soon providing support and education to children and adults up to the age of 28 at the Maple School. Over the years, the Maple School transitioned from a classroom to a workshop for adults. During the 1980 s the workshop was relocated to the downtown area and was renamed Trail Contracting Services. Portland House, with support from the Kiwanis, was opened as a home to provide life skills training for individuals to live in the community. However, after evaluating institutional living, it was found that individuals benefited from living in the community as opposed to institutions. Willow Place in Warfield was opened and the group home era of the organization officially began. Since the 1980 s, TACL has grown and developed into an association who provides a variety of services. In the 1990 s there was a need for another group home and Columbia House in East Trail was opened. With the need growing in 2001, a new home was opened in Fruitvale in September of that year. The Trail Association for Community Living was beginning to grow and provide services to children and youth in the community and in July 2002 the TACL received the Children and Youth contract. Also in July of 2002, TACL received another contract for Hampton House, a group home in Rossland. In October 2002 we also received a contract for a home in Glenmerry. In December 2004 we built a brand new home in Warfield and the individuals from Hampton House moved in and it was named Forrest Place. Finally, in 2005 we received the contract for Career Development Services providing employment Services in the greater Trail area.. Hand book Page 5

7 How to Get in Touch With Us Program and Office Numbers: Child and Youth Program: Tuesday-Thursday, 12:00pm-7:00pm Phone Fax Management Office: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm Phone: Emergency number Website The Management Team Nancy Gurr- Executive Director Korrie Korteland- Administrative Assistant Sandy Gagnon- Community Living Manager Tracy Fischer- Financial Assistant Rosie Ingram- CYC Program Coordinator Hand book Page 6

8 What We Do - In Pictures Hand book Page 7

9 What We Do - In Words Lots and lots of neat stuff! Activity planning is done by the children and youth with the support of the staff. A truly amazing activity in and of itself! We recognize that the children and youth we serve have unique needs around meeting and making friends and being part of the community. Therefore our activity planning will endeavor to meet these needs so that the kids will be participating in typical age appropriate activities. So keep in mind that typical teens don t eat carrot sticks at the game! Part of growing up is making decisions and having choice. Making decisions, making mistakes and learning from them, changing their minds, and asking for help are all part of a complete life experience and all part of growing up. Mistakes are great learning tools; way more effective than worksheets! We encourage and support the children and youth in our care to do all of this. That said sometimes making choices and decisions can involve risktaking. Risk of course is a relative term. In supporting the youth to make decisions, we always keep their health and safety as a primary goal. We always work closely with parents and caregivers to determine what reasonable risk is for each child or youth. Some decisions and risk taking we have supported in the past includes: Food choices: pickles on pizza never hurt anyone! Made a mistake or change your mind no problem pick them off French fries vs salads not many kids or teens make the nutritious choice, we leave that up to parents and care givers at home and school nutrition programs. Artistic choices: gluing a nose on upside down or painting the sky green. Picking the black paint might not make the prettiest painting but..it s a choice. Activities: running on the grass, getting sprayed in the spray park and getting dirty! Choosing friends: involves the risk of rejection or an argument. Hand book Page 8

10 Programming We support each individual with their specific goals through fun engaging activities. We assist youth with life skills and creating healthy social habits and connections. We create a positive, respectful, and safe environment to practice these skills so they are better able to increase their self-esteem and confidence to practice within and outside of group. While activities vary depending on the needs, likes and dislikes of any group of children and youth are taken into consideration. Here is a list of activities that the group has participated in the past and some that we are currently engaging in. Participating in recreational programs such as: Swimming - indoors and outdoors Bowling Going to movies Doing arts and crafts Visiting Columbia View Lodge Going to playgrounds indoors and outdoors Cultural activities including participating in a drum circle Participating in structured programs developed by professionals such as the: Flash program Circles program People and Emotions Photo conversation Cards-to help children and youth develop social and communication skills Participating in life skill based activities such as: Cooking, meal planning and shopping Using public transportation Banking Hand book Page 9

11 Communication A brief newsletter will be sent home once a month with an activity calendar attached. We encourage parents and care givers to use the activity calendar to help prepare their child for the anticipated activity. Monthly newsletters will also include a request for suggestions! Any questions or concerns about planned activities can be addressed with support staff or the program coordinator. Parents and caregivers will also be given an opportunity after every program day to chat with support staff about the daily activity when children and youth are dropped off. Staff will endeavor to give a brief description of how the day s activity has gone. Also see: How to get in touch with us page 06 Conflict resolution page 17 Hand book Page 10

12 Positive Support Strategies for Appropriate Behaviour Staff will not punish any child or youth. However, to ensure appropriate behaviors Positive Support Strategies will be put in place for each child. Strategies use redirection, choices, logical consequences, and creative approaches to deal with the outcomes of inappropriate behaviour. Staff will talk to children or youth at eye level and focus on the behaviour and not the individual. Helping children or youth in understanding the outcomes of their behaviour is central. Staff will ensure that expectations and behaviour guidelines are consistently in place and that the children and youth have an overall understanding of them. Keeping in mind that what is fair is not doing the same for everyone, but doing what is needed for each one. Where a child or youth s behaviour is inappropriate or putting themselves or others at risk and the above strategies have not been effective, parents or caregivers will be notified. Parents will be asked to pick up their child or make alternative arrangements. Staff will continue to work with families and care givers to keep all the children and youth in the program. Hand book Page 11

13 INCLUSION & DIVERSITY There is an understanding that fair does not always mean doing the same for everyone. It is giving everyone what they need. All children/youth are welcome and bring value to our programs. Our programs are reflective of the varying needs of our participants, community and stakeholders. Participants will be included in all of our programs regardless of their limitations or special needs Programming will be based around acknowledging and valuing all children/youth s unique and individual differences and will be flexible and adaptable to all needs Programs will provide a physically, emotionally and intellectually safe environment Off-site activities will be planned to promote a better understanding of the community and to connect participants with cultural experiences The team will plan activities that are inclusive to children/youth with special educational needs and/or disabilities The team and children/youth will help to create an environment that promotes mutual respect and tolerance The team will provide children/youth with a variety of experiences from a range of social, cultural, linguistic and ability backgrounds All staff will talk to children/youth about differences in a positive way The team will promote equality regardless of race, gender, culture or differences Hand book Page 12

14 Where We Do It Our official home is the Trail Association Activity Centre located at 1791 Riverside. The program coordinator has an office there too. However, we believe that learning can happen anywhere and everywhere. So group goes where ever the spirit and activities leads us. Arenas, movie theatres, parks and so many more.. Family and parents will receive a monthly calendar so they can track our group s whereabouts. When We Do It The CYC program is held on Tuesdays for the Elementary School program, and Wednesdays and Thursdays for the Secondary School group. We run during the school year, as well as on selected holidays (Christmas break and Spring break), and during summer holidays. During the school year kids are picked up at their school. Occasionally other arrangements can be made through the program coordinator. During school holidays families are expected to drop their child or youth at the TAAC building. The children and youth will be returned to their homes or an agreed upon meeting place. Hand book Page 13

15 How We Do it Program Funding Sources TACL is a non-profit, charitable association. TACL primarily receives funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development for the Children and youth program. In order to enhance and expand services, TACL also applies for grants and holds fundraising events such as barbeques and auctions on a regular basis. Although TACL does not solicit donations, they are always appreciated. There is no regular program fee. For some activities parents or caregivers are asked to participate in the cost of the activity. However no child will be excluded from regular activities because of financial hardship. Additional Funding for Persons with Disabilities We have added to this handbook some funding that families and care givers may not be aware of. Parents and guardians of children and youth with disabilities may be eligible: For the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) which is a tax-free benefit for families who care for a child under age 18 who is eligible for the disability amount. More information is available at: To make contributions to a Register Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). More information is available at: Persons with disabilities who are 18 years or older to benefits and services including: B.C. Disability Benefits (PWD); Persons with disabilities are often eligible for a monthly support allowance; medical coverage (including medical services plan and Pharmacare coverage as well as other medical benefits such as glasses or dental care) and an annual bus pass may also be available. Your Employment Assistance Worker (EAW) can tell you more about your BC Disability Benefits. Rights of the Child : Adapted from United Convention on the Rights of the Child Hand book Page 14

16 Conflict Resolution The Trail Association for Community Living understands that sometimes when people work together, they do not always agree. If you, or others who know you well, disagree with something, there is a way to help everyone involved to openly talk and resolve issues. Conflict Resolution: If you, or a family member has a disagreement with something that was said or done at TACL: Talk to a TACL staff member first, if they are unable to help you Talk to the supervisor of the program to find out what can be done The two of you might decide to meet with the other person involved so that you can talk about the problem If your concern is not resolved, you can choose to go to the formal process The Formal Process Arrange to meet with the Supervisor of the program at TACL It is important that what everyone says at this meeting is written down (we will give you a copy of what was written) The Supervisor will look into your concern They will share with you what they find out within five days of the meeting. They will give you a report that will include a decision If you are not happy with the decision, you can take your complaint to the TACL Executive Director The Executive Director will talk to everyone involved The Executive Director will talk to you about the decision. You will get the decision in writing If you are still unhappy with the decision, you can take your concern to MCFD They will make a decision and will tell you and the TACL Executive Director Hand book Page 15

17 Why We Do it The purpose of the program is to provide an environment that is: Fun Safe Welcoming Comfortable For children and youth to explore their needs: Social Physical Creative Emotional Hand book Page 16