4 DCFS Inc. provides a safe Home for youth ages 12-15 yrs. to reside in and the average stay is around 6 months. The intake process is based upon the concept of providing opportunities for young people in crisis to participate in structured activities including cultural elements to help reduce immediate stressors in their lives.
While at 4 Directions, the young people are involved in several educational, cultural, and recreational activities. However, the main goal of these activities is to contribute towards the main program objective, which is minimize behaviours by developing age-appropriate coping skills. An individualized care and self-development plan is the outcome of the process.
A need for this form of care has been identified by the 4 Directions Child and Family Services Inc. Board of Directors and is viewed as being an essential component of an effective “continuum of care”. The 4 Directions Child & Family Services program provides assessment services that will assist case managers and workers in the process of determining and developing effective case plans for the young person and their families. Assessment will occur during the context of environmental and daily programming that is designed for the purpose of stabilizing the behaviours of the young person.
The 12-15 program goals include:
- To provide a safe and supportive place for young people in crisis.
- To work with the youth, their family and field worker on case planning and transitioning out of the program.
General Principles:
The young person will participate in cultural and community activities in and around our service area. The program development will be on-going and operated to meet or exceed the standards established by comparable programs in Canada. The program will be culturally supportive in various ways, including access to consultation with elders, the provision of nutritious meals including traditional foods, and voluntary participation in cultural and spiritual activities (as these may be). The program will also actively solicit and coordinate the participation of the young person’s family or caregiver in a regular and meaningful manner.