The Kennedy House Ten Step Residential Treatment Plan

Clinical programming in the Kennedy House Residential Programs involves the following ten main areas. These steps are common to all of the residential programs, and are used with every resident in care.

1. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT: The files of all potential residents referred to Kennedy House are reviewed by the Clinical Director. The results of this review are shared with the Clinical Team and the program, before the new resident is placed. This ensures that the specifics of the new resident's case are well known and the program can prepare for the special needs of the resident.

2. DAILY CLINICAL CARE: The residential program staff who oversee the daily care of the clients, have active input into and ownership of the clinical programming that they deliver. This is primarily accomplished through the staff's participation in two monthly meetings. One meeting focuses on a review of the program rules, routines and functioning. The other meting involves a case-by-case review of of the clients in the program. One designated staff member from each program will also participate on the Residential Clinical Committee, which will help develop new clinical programming and policies, across the agency.

3. CLINICAL TREATMENT AS PART OF EDUCATION: The Residents participate in the Adaptive Skills Program as part of their school day in the Section 20 classroom. The classroom CYW delivers a period every day, with clear therapeutic goals. Each day has a different focus, such as interpersonal skills, world issues, health, communication and independence skills, including nutrition and meal preparation.

4. MANDATORY CLIENT-STAFF INTERACTION: The Residential Programs have a recreation schedule that provides leisure activities for the residents, and the program staff model enthusiasm for the mandatory recreational activities, which motivate the residents to participate. This schedule incorporates life skills programming, while addressing the physical need for exercise, as well as co-operative and competitive activities, for the enjoyment and benefit of the residents. Recreational activities provide the residents with a productive means to release energy and they increase the residents experience of the world in which they live. Recreational activities are a non-threatening way to build trusting relationships with resident and promote an environment conducive to counselling. In this sense, recreation is crucial to the progress of residents. There is one night a week spent in the program, which aims directly to increase and improve resident-staff interaction.

5. LIFE SKILLS INSTRUCTION: The Residential Programs run a weekly Life Skills Group as part of mandatory programming in the residential homes. This process is supervised by the residential Social Workers.

6. COUNSELLING: The Kennedy House Social Workers maintain a prioritised caseload and work out of the residential programs or family homes, providing individual and family counselling to their assigned clients, on a weekly basis. The Residential Social Workers also have the ability to refer Kennedy House residents to outside counselling resources, when necessary, and can expedite and facilitate this process.

7. GROUPS: Daily resident groups are held in the programs, giving the residents an opportunity to have active input regarding program and group issues. Daily resident groups are also a therapeutic method of teaching socialisation and problem solving skills. These are conducted by a designated staff team member. The group's behaviour and conduct for the day is reviewed from the point of view of the residents and staff. Earned privileges are announced and general information shared with the group, such as changes in routines etc. As well, the residents are given an opportunity to voice any concerns which they may have.

8. CONTINUAL ONGOING INDIVIDUAL CLIENT REVIEW: The residential programs send detailed updates regarding the daily progress of each and every resident to the clinical team. The Clinical Director also meets to review the clinical progress of clients in residential care with the Social Workers.

9. PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION SERVICES: Kennedy House provides the services of a consulting Psychiatrist, who meets with designated residents, based on assessment criteria established by the residential clinical team and residential program staff, on a regular basis to provide treatment.

10. TRAINING: Kennedy House provides internal clinical training to all residential program staff. Training is provided in areas such as Behavior Management, Group Work, Essential Skills, Legislation and Regulations, and Psychotropic Medication. This ensures that all Kennedy House staff are constantly learning and reviewing the best possible treatment methods for the youth in their care.