Client Testimonials WINGS was my potting soil so I could start to grow my roots. And now I am a strong tree. I have realized I really do have a problem with drugs and alcohol. My mood has changed due to my sobriety and I have learned new skills that I am sure will help me in the near future. I am learning skills to get along with my family better. This place is going to play a huge part in my life changing for the better. I would not have wanted to go anywhere else. I like how WINGS incorporates treatment with everyday life, makes you realize you can have sober fun. WINGS has shown me how much fun I can have without using drugs! 11 PARTICIPATING PROVIDER FOR: BCBS UCare PrimeWest Medica Healthpartners
About Us WINGS is a residential treatment program for adolescents, ages 13 through 18. We are located in Litchfield, 70 miles west of Minneapolis. Licensed by the State of Minnesota, through the Department of Health and Human Services, we can accommodate 20 residents (10 male and 10 female) on an inpatient basis. The length of stay for our clients averages 45 50 days, and is tailored to meet the needs of each client. Our program offers a school component designed to keep our clients current with their education, a Family Education Program, aftercare for addiction issues, mental health offerings with gender specific treatments, and chemical dependency rehabilitation based on the 12 steps. With a small client to staff ratio we are able to provide attentive and personalized care that meets the needs of each individual we serve. Our multidisciplinary team at WINGS includes: 2 Registered Nurses 3 full time LADC s, one who works with our female clients, one who works with our male clients, and one who works in our admission department as our Assistant Program Director A Program Director who is also an LADC, LMFT, Certified Trauma Professional and an EMDR professional. Our Commitment To You! Clients...WINGS will actively involve you in the overall treatment process. Families...WINGS will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to aid in your family member s ongoing recovery. Professionals...WINGS will provide you with the information needed to actively participate in your client s recovery utilizing collateral information, weekly reviews, telephone updates and discharge planning. While WINGS recognizes the effectiveness of 12 Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, we know that they do not work for everyone. Therefore our clients are given the option of exploring alternatives. Our intention is that clients develop a sober support system that represents a philosophy and structure that will work for them for the long term. 1 10
Aftercare The residential program at WINGS seeks to identify significant issues, create a treatment plan that begins to address those issues, introduce the tools of recovery and help clients begin to use them. Residential treatment is merely the first few days of a new and better life through the application of these tools. The last few days in residence at WINGS is devoted to creating an aftercare plan that will continue to address issues and foster proficiency and continued use of the tools of recovery. A major part of the aftercare plan for all clients involves participation in an aftercare program. For those living within reasonable driving distance of Litchfield, we encourage participation in the WINGS Aftercare Program. We will help those living outside the WINGS service area find an aftercare program that meets their needs. The WINGS Aftercare Program, held at our facility in Litchfield, lasts between 6 and 8 weeks, and involves a 1 to 1½ hour session, one evening per week. Treatment Philosophy Our philosophy is based on our belief that effective treatment requires: An individualized model An interdisciplinary staff A willingness to allow each client to find his/her way in recovery Strong family and continuing care components At WINGS we are not just here to educate on the issues of continued substance abuse, we also consider our program to be life support for our clients. We address a variety of subjects that impact their lives and give them the tools that they need to make sound judgments, improve communication, solidify goals and continue their education while receiving treatment. We understand how addressing mental health and/or trauma needs is a vital aspect of recovery from addiction. This is why we offer DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) groups and individual work to increase coping skills. We also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - a trauma specific therapy that can be done in individual sessions. For more info on EMDR please go to www.emdr.org. 9 2
Treatment Planning Each treatment plan is individualized and designed to meet the specific needs of that person. Since addiction influences every aspect of a person s life, our holistic approach ensures that no aspect is overlooked. And our professional multidisciplinary team employs a variety of clinical modalities to ensure the best possible outcome for each of our clients. The process begins at admission, where we first employ a variety of methods (interviews, personal observation, chemical dependency assessments, etc.) to identify and evaluate each person s individual needs. Once these have been determined, an individual treatment plan is drawn up, containing a strategy for addressing each area. During the remainder of their stay at WINGS, this treatment plan is carried out through group therapy, one-on-one counseling with professionally licensed counselors, and educational lectures and videos. Clients also have reading and writing assignments, recreation time, interaction with their peers, participation in 12 step meetings, and more. School WINGS has an excellent Education Department, housed within our facility, with a Licensed Special Education Teacher on staff. School is held September June, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 to 2:30 pm. There are, of course, holidays and teacher workshops throughout the year. In addition there is a summer school component. Our Education Department meets each student exactly where they are at in their education. We use a variety of educational techniques, allowing us to be responsive to the particular learning style of each student. Upon completion of their stay at WINGS, all class hours are credited back to the client s home school. WINGS staff does not have access to your childs school records. You must request them from our teacher by calling 320-593-0440 x 23 The final phase of a client s stay at WINGS involves the creation of an aftercare plan designed to help them continue using and perfecting the tools and daily living skills they have received and employed during their stay. The aftercare plan thoughtfully identifies the issues they will face following their discharge, and then plots a strategy for long term sobriety and improved mental health upon their return home. 3 8
Family Education and Therapy Alcoholism and drug addiction is a family disease affecting everyone in the family. The good news is that family members can cope with and recover from the effects of chemical dependency, just as chemically dependent individuals can recover from alcoholism/addiction. Our Family Education and Therapy programming takes place one day each month. Your child's counselor will send out information one week prior to the Family Session letting you know when it will take place. During the morning course of this program, parents receive psycho-education on substance abuse, family impacts of addiction, and parenting/ family support. During the afternoon, clients and their families process letters and have group family therapy to address issues specific to the client and their family situation. Families also have the ability to have additional individual family therapy with our Program Director. Treatment & Daily Schedule Chemical dependency affects every aspect of a person s life. Therefore, everything we do at WINGS is a part of the treatment and rehabilitation process. Group therapy, individual counseling, lectures, and 12 step meetings are the most obvious parts of the process. But recreation time, daily chores, personal time, etc. are equally as significant. Our goal is to provide our clients with the tools and understandings they need to live happy and purposeful lives in the mainstream. Consequently, recreation is more than just fun activities; it is also a time to learn how to interact with others appropriately, and how to have fun without the use of drugs and alcohol. Daily chores are required to keep our facilities clean and in good order, but they are also an opportunity to learn personal responsibility, develop self discipline, and experience pride in doing a job well. The Daily Schedule is more than a listing of times, it is also a vital element in helping our clients develop a daily routine, and teaches them how to be respectful of others by practicing punctuality. It is our hope that families will be able to attend our Friday sessions, but our program is flexible and will accommodate families who need to make alternative Family Programming plans. 7 4
Client Commons Area Client Wing Area Dining Room Client Bedroom 5 6