Adolescent Centre for Treatment. Client/Family Information Package

Transcription

1 Adolescent Centre for Treatment Client/Family Information Package IWK Health Centre, Halifax, N.S. PL # 0101 Last Update: 05/08 Next Review: May, 2011

2 Adolescent Centre For Treatment (ACT) The Adolescent Centre for Treatment is a part of the Mental Health Program at the IWK Health Centre. The ACT program provides rehabilitative mental health treatment in a 24-hour residential setting for teens aged years. The centre consists of 3 apartment-style living accommodations with 4 bedrooms each. The length of stay depends on the treatment needs of the individual. While residing at the Adolescent Centre for Treatment, clients are supported by a multi-disciplinary team. The treatment team is comprised of youth care workers, nurses, a teacher, a consulting psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, and an occupational therapist. The ACT program works collaboratively with adolescents and their parents/guardians who agree to participate in voluntary treatment. Treatment is provided based on a holistic approach to mental health care for clients and their families. All programming is based on client s needs and may include: Individual therapy Anger management Social skills training Life skills training Increasing self-esteem Medication management & assessment Parent education and support Family therapy Behaviour management Recreational activities Liaison with community organizations Liaison with community schools Educational programming Mailing Address: Adolescent Centre for Treatment 1161 Hollis St. 3 rd floor Halifax, NS B3H 2P6 Phone Numbers: ACT Administrative Assistant (902) Fax Number (902) Staff Office Apt #1 (902) Staff Office Apt #2 (902) Staff Office Apt #3 (902)

3 The Treatment Program Primary/Reserve Workers: On admission, each teen is assigned a Primary Youth Care Worker who will be responsible for coordinating the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individual treatment programs. The Primary Youth Care Worker will maintain regular contact with the parent/guardian to review the teen s progress. A Reserve Youth Care Worker is also assigned to take over these responsibilities when the Primary Youth Care Worker is not available. Passes: Passes to leave the program are decided by the ACT Team and are ordered by the psychiatrist involved with the client. Frequency and duration of passes are determined on an individual basis according to the treatment goals of the client and family/guardian. Parents are encouraged to arrange visits or passes that fit around programming times. ACT staff will meet briefly with parents/guardians when the adolescent leaves for and returns from pass. This meeting is very important, as it allows time to exchange concerns and considerations regarding the pass. Individual Treatment Programs: Incentive programs or behaviour management programs are developed and implemented on an individual basis. Individual therapy with the clinical team members may also be part of the teen s program. In addition, families are expected to take part in training, family meetings and/or family therapy as appropriate. Therapeutic Classroom: Clients are expected to participate in the ACT classroom in conjunction with their community school. The ACT teacher obtains curriculum information at the appropriate level from the client s school and clients are able to earn course credit for completed work. For those clients who have been out of school for a period of time, the ACT Teacher will create a program based on appropriate skills and curriculum, until transition to community school is arranged. The ACT teacher also works closely with schools when clients are transitioning from the program into community school. Therapeutic Groups: All clients are required to participate in daily groups that benefit their personal treatment goals. Group content is modified to accommodate client s personal and academic capabilities. ACT team members run the groups, but outside agencies and presenters may be used as well for presentations and information. The groups are described on the following page. 3

4 Group Programming Morning Check-In: This group is held every morning and5 is a time for clients to reflect on the previous day s events, set goals for the current day, and to briefly discuss how things are going. A relaxation exercise is also incorporated into this group. Personal Development & Relationships (PDR): All clients will meet with the ACT teacher twice a month to discuss issues surrounding personal health and development. Topics discussed include relationships, sexuality, disease, healthy living, body image and substance abuse. Clients are asked to participate in group discussions and provide feedback on specific topics. Homework and small projects are assigned. Recreation: This group focuses on physical fitness and sports. An emphasis is placed on team sports in order to develop social skills associated with team play while engaging in a variety of physical activities. Anger Management: This group explores the concept of anger and introduces various methods of handling anger appropriately. The following concepts are introduced: defining anger, identifying personal triggers, physical reactions, actions, consequences, and the practice of assertiveness and problem solving skills. Self Esteem and Life Skills: This group is intended to provide adolescents with the opportunity to develop a positive sense of self-worth by identifying and changing negative thoughts, emotions, and situations that hinder their ability to value themselves as a person. The life skills portion of this group focuses on increasing skills in the areas of self-care (e.g., grooming, hygiene, nutrition), productivity (e.g., study skills, job readiness) and leisure. Social Skills: In this group, skills to enhance social interactions are introduced and practiced. Skills covered include: body language, volume and tone of voice, listening, interrupting appropriately, manners, giving/accepting compliments, making and keeping friends, accepting no, and agreeing/disagreeing appropriately. Degrassi Group: Once weekly, clients participate in the viewing of a recent Degrassi Junior High episode. Clients then engage in discussion around the issues presented in each episode. Emphasis is placed on connections between the underlying themes of the episodes and the client s own personal experiences. Teens are encouraged to recognize that they always have choices regarding themselves and situations they encounter. Clients have responses to do for each episode but can work collaboratively with peers and staff. 4

5 Community Police Officer: Every other Friday, a Community Police Officer comes to ACT to discuss legal issues with the teens. He is also available for private consultation should any client from ACT request it. Issues discussed may include: smoking, substance use, bullying, etc. Fall/Winter Schedule MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT SUN 9:00-10:00 10:00-10:30 10:30-11:30 11:30-12:45 Morning Check-In Morning Check-In Morning Check-In Morning Check-In Morning Check-In Break Break Break Break Break Self- Esteem & Life Skills Anger Management PDR/ Recreation Social Skills Mental Health Advocate/Police Officer Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 12:45-3:00 School School School School School 3:00-3:15 Break Break Break Break Break 3:15-4:15 Homework Homework Homework Homework Homework 5:00 Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper Supper 6:15-7:15 7:30-8:30 Quiet Quiet Quiet Quiet Quiet Recreation Major Room Clean-up Recreation Movies/ Board Games Quiet Quiet Summer Schedule Monday Friday 10am 12pm: Therapeutic Groups (as above) 12pm 1pm: Lunch 1pm 3pm: Recreational Activity* 7:30 9pm Recreational Outing* *Recreational activities and outings may include sports, trips to the beach, camping, hiking, movies, games, crafts, etc. Saturday and Sunday Open: Client choice or planned outing 5

6 Daily Living at ACT Hygiene: Clients are expected to shower once daily and to use good hygiene skills (brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.). Healthy Choices: Clients who choose to be involved in sexual relationships are encouraged to take responsibility for their health and condoms are available. Meals: Meals are planned and prepared according to Canada s Food Guide. Clients prepare their own breakfast and lunch and a chef is employed by the program to prepare the supper meal. Please inform staff of any food allergies. Laundry: All clients are responsible for washing their own clothes and bed linens. A washing machine, dryer and detergent are available for client use. Laundry days are assigned to each client to ensure machine availability. Chores: Although janitorial/maintenance services are provided by the hospital, clients are expected to participate in a major room clean up once a week. This typically occurs on Wednesdays. Other common household chores are assigned on a rotating basis. Phone use: Clients may use the phone with staff permission. There is a 30-minute time limit per phone call to ensure all clients have an opportunity to use the phone. The phone can only be used during leisure time until 9:00pm on weekdays and 10:00pm on the weekends. Visits: Parents/guardians are encouraged to visit often. Please call in advance when you plan to visit. Visits can be arranged so as not to conflict with ACT programming. Clients may also wish to have other family or friends visit them during their stay. It is important that staff be notified of such visits at least 24 hours in advance. Bedtime: Bedtimes vary according to age and half hour extensions can be earned with positive behaviour. Age 13 14: 9:30pm on weeknights and 10:00pm on weekends Age 15-16: 10:00pm on weeknights and 10:30pm on weekends Age 17-18: 10:30pm on weeknights and 11:00pm on weekends 6

7 Personal Items Teens are welcome to bring personal items from home that will help make them feel more comfortable during their treatment at ACT (e.g., books, photos, CD s, etc.). There are a few guidelines concerning personal items, which are outlined below. Bedding: Clients will need to bring their own sheets, blankets, comforters, etc. for a twin-sized bed. Clothing and Personal Care Items: Personal hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc), haircuts, and clothes, or funds to purchase these items, are to be supplied by the parent/guardian. Valuables/Articles From Home: The ACT program does not take responsibility for lost or stolen items. All valuables (e.g., money, CD s, electronics) are the responsibility of the clients. We encourage parents/guardians to supply some spending money for their teen (e.g., $10.00/week). This money can be kept in the staff office for safekeeping. We do not allow televisions in the client bedrooms; however, there is a television in each apartment for client use. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted as per hospital policy. Dangerous Objects: Any potentially dangerous objects (e.g., pocket-knives, matches or lighters) will be disposed of or sent home with parents. Items such as scissors, razors, tweezers, nail clippers, etc. are to be kept in the staff office and may be used at the discretion of ACT staff. ACT Dress / Scent Code: T-shirts - No tank tops or shirts that expose shoulders, bra straps, chest, cleavage, back and biceps on unit or on outings Tank tops - with shoulder straps at least two finger widths wide on summer outings or for physical recreation Long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, and sweaters - No exposed bra straps, cleavage, or midriff Shorts worn at waist or hip - no lower, and covering upper thigh Jeans / Pants worn at waist or hip - no lower Skirt length no shorter than end of fingertips / mid thigh 7

8 Logos on clothing - no profanity, no provocative sexual, racial, or gender statements, no beer labels, no drug labels. Watches, rings, bracelets, neck chains - only those that cannot be used as weapons - no heavy amulets, rings, chains, studded watch straps etc. (in general, all chains should be easily breakable by pulling on them) No bandanas No hats at school, check-in, groups, or while preparing or eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or at meetings with the ACT team Sandals/sneakers/slippers at all times on unit Scent Code The IWK Health Center is committed to a healthy, safe and scent free environment on behalf of its clients, staff, and volunteers. The ACT Program supports this policy. No scented body sprays No perfumes MP3 Players MP3 Players must be stored in bedroom while: preparing or eating breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks at school, check-in, groups, or during homework time in meetings engaged in on-unit recreation ie. playing pool on recreation nights / outings on organized group outings or if in the judgement of staff it is interfering with treatment goals 8

9 Adolescent Centre for Treatment Expectations All programming is based on the principle of respect and safety for all parties to the therapeutic process, including teens, participants, parent/guardians, and staff. We believe the principle of respect and safety is necessary to provide a therapeutic environment. We prompt self-respect by helping individuals make healthy choices. We believe that health involves making safe choices in relation to drug and alcohol use and require clients to agree to not use while in treatment. This includes agreeing to drug testing if there is suspicion that you are under the influence. We respect each other s privacy, culture, religion, ethnicity, orientation, tastes, and opinions, and we keep a peaceful, safe, healthy environment by using the following: Respect: For yourself For the staff and peers For the program For the building and surroundings 9

10 Adolescent Centre for Treatment Client and Family/Guardian Contract Client agrees to: 1. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of others in the program. 2. Take part in all groups, activities, and treatment sessions and do all homework given by the teacher and/or group leader. 3. Not use drugs and alcohol. Drug related items are not allowed on the property. Consent to drug testing if suspected of using and understands that if s/he refuses or tests positive on three occasions s/he will be discharged from the program. 4. Not smoke or bring cigarettes, lighters and matches on the property. 5. No violence, physical or verbal. This can lead to criminal charges. 6. Take responsibility for damaged or stolen property as appropriate (e.g., pay for the property). 7. Not engage in romantic relationships and/or sexual contact with other clients. Parent/Guardian agrees to: 1. Co-operate with the treatment plan, which will include attending case conferences and family therapy sessions. 2. Plan visits and passes with the treatment team for the teen. 3. Fill out and return Pass Behaviour Records to ACT staff after every pass. 4. Meet with a staff member before and after each pass to share necessary information. 5. Provide funds for the teen to purchase necessary personal care items (toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.) or clothing. 6. Provide spending money or allowance as appropriate. 7. Work with staff on discharge planning. 8. Respect the rights and dignity of all parties. Staff agree to: 1. Keep a safe and therapeutic environment through use of behaviour management techniques as per ACT guidelines and best practice standards. 2. Regularly review progress with client and family. 3. Respect the rights and dignity of clients and families. 4. Review this contract with client and family regularly (roughly every three months). 10

11 Adolescent Centre for Treatment Client and Family/Guardian Contract Through working with us, we hope you will make your future life more positive and enjoyable. All programming is based on respect and safety for everyone including clients, parents/guardians, and staff. Any violations of respect and safety will be cause for review, appropriate consequences, and possible discharge from the program. Examples of violations are bringing drugs or dangerous objects on the premises, lying, verbal abuse, physical abuse, breaking confidentiality, romantic relationships and/or sexual contact with other clients, vandalism, racist, sexist or homophobic behaviour and self-abuse. By signing this contract, you agree that your participation in this program is voluntary and that you will follow the guidelines and expectations of the program. You also understand that your treatment progress will be reviewed with you on a regular basis. Finally, you may be contacted six months to one year following graduation for an evaluation of the program. This contract was read and explained to me by ACT staff and I understand its contents. Client: Parent/Guardian: Staff: Date: Date Reviewed Client Initial Parent/Guardian Initial Staff Initial 1. Pre-admission: 2. Admission: