Child Guidance Resource Centers Inc

TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMMUNITY-BASED THERAPEUTIC, SUPPORTIVE, AND PREVENTIVE HEATHCARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND FAMILIES WITH MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY, AND RESIDENTIAL NEEDS

FAMILY FIRST (FAMILY BASED SERVICES) IS A COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO WORK WITH AT-RISK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR OWN HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTING. FAMILY FIRST PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDE FAMILY THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, PARENT EDUCATION, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, INTERAGENCY TEAM LEADERSHIP, FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, 32 WEEK COURSE OF TREATMENT, 24 HOUR ON-CALL OTHER SUPPORT, AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY FIRST TEAM OF TWO MASTERS LEVEL THERAPISTS. (NARRATIVE CONTINUED ON PAGE 1 OF SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUATION FROM PART III - LINE 4A OF 990) - THE PHILOSOPHY OF FAMILY FIRST IS THAT A CHILD'S FAMILY IS THEIR STRONGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT LIFE DOMAIN. THEREFORE, THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF HELPING TROUBLED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IS A FAMILY-FOCUSED, HOME-BASED MODEL DESIGNED TO RECOGNIZE AND BUILD ON FAMILY STRENGTHS. IN THIS WAY, THE NATURAL SUPPORTS OF THE CHILD'S LIFE CAN BE NURTURED SO THAT GAINS MADE CAN BE MAINTAINED AFTER FAMILY FIRST SERVICES HAVE ENDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE FAMILY FIRST APPROACH ALLOWS THE TEAM TO LEARN ABOUT AND INCORPORATE ALL OF THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE CHILD'S LIFE INTO THE TREATMENT EXPERIENCE. FAMILY FIRST SERVICES ARE RECOMMENDED TO A CHILD OR ADOLESCENT WHO IS CONSIDERED TO BE AT-RISK, THAT IS, WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISORDERS OR MENTAL ILLNESS (SUCH AS CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION OR ADHD), INTENSE PARENT/CHILD CONFLICT, DIFFICULTY ADJUSTING TO FAMILY AND LIFE CHANGES, SCHOOL PROBLEMS (INCLUDING POOR PERFORMANCE, BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, OR TRUANCY), OPPOSITIONAL OR DEFIANT BEHAVIOR, PDD IN COMBINATION WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS, OR DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE IN COMBINATION WITH FAMILY PROBLEMS. FOR SOME, FAMILY FIRST MAY BE THE LAST INTERVENTION ATTEMPT BEFORE OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT. FOR OTHERS, FAMILY FIRST ACTS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL CARE AND LIVING AT HOME WITH FAMILY. THE PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 200 FAMILIES A YEAR. AT ANY ONE TIME, THE ACTIVE CASELOAD IS APPROXIMATELY 125 FAMILIES. ONE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE UNDERTAKEN THIS PAST YEAR WAS WEEKEND PARENT AND CLIENT TRAINING RETREATS. THIS WAS DONE IN COOPERATION WITH ANOTHER NON-PROFIT AGENCY. THE TRAININGS WERE VERY WELL RECEIVED. THEY ALSO RESULTED IN PARENT TRAINING GROUPS BEING ESTABLISHED FOR THE PARENTS WHO ATTENDED THE WEEKEND SESSIONS.

BEHAVORIAL HEALTH REHABILITATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM (BHRS) IS A COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE UTILIZED TO ASSIST THE CLIENT AND FAMILY ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS THROUGH THE USE OF STRENGTH - BASED GOALS AND THE INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. BHRS SERVICES ARE HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES DEVELOPED AND APPROVED BY AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM. THEY ARE PROVIDED BY SPECIFIC CLINICIANS WHO ARE RECOMMENDED THROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD AND FAMILY. (NARRATIVE CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 OF SCHEDULE O) (CONTINUATION FROM PART III - LINE 4B - 990) THESE CLINICIANS INCLUDE A BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST CONSULTANT (DOCTORAL OR MASTER'S LEVEL CLINICIAN), A MOBILE THERAPIST (DOCTORAL OR MASTER'S LEVEL CLINICIAN), AND A THERAPEUTIC STAFF SUPPORT (BACHELOR'S LEVEL CLINICIAN). THE GOAL OF THE BHRS TEAM IS TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PLAN THAT UTILIZES BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION, INDIVIDUAL AND / OR FAMILY THERAPY, AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERVENTIONS THAT HELP IMPROVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. IN BHRS, THE FAMILIES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEST RESOURCES FOR WORKING TOWARDS GOAL ACHIEVEMENT. BHRS IS BASED ON A WELL-DEFINED SET OF PRINCIPLES. THESE PRINCIPLES ARE COMPRISED OF SIX CORE CONCEPTS: TREATMENT WHICH IS CHILD-CENTERED, FAMILY FOCUSED, COMMUNITY BASED, MULTI-SYSTEMIC, CULTURALLY COMPETENT, AND LEAST RESTRICTIVE / LEAST INTRUSIVE. THE PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 450 CASES A YEAR. AT ANY ONE TIME, THERE ARE 300 FAMILIES RECEIVING THIS SERVICE. THE CHILDREN SERVED RANGE IN AGE FROM THREE TO TWENTY-ONE. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN THE HOME, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY. CLIENTS COME FROM THREE SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES. TWO SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVES ARE ON GOING IN THE PROGRAM. ONE USES THE MEASUREMENT TOOL CANS (CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NEEDS AND STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT) FOR CLIENTS WITH AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DIAGNOSIS. FOR CLIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 11, THE PARENT, CLINICIAN, AND THE CLIENT COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT SEPARATELY. FOR CLIENTS UNDER 11, THE CLINICIAN AND THE PARENT COMPLETE IT. THE SECOND INITIATIVE IS IMPROVING THE NUMBER OF HOURS PROVIDED TO EACH CLIENT VERSUS THE NUMBER OF HOURS PRESCRIBED. BOTH INITIATIVES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE RESULTS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO THE END OF THE YEAR.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES PROGRAM - CHILD GUIDANCE RESOURCE CENTERS OUTPATIENT SERVICES HELPS CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES, AND THEIR FAMILIES, REDUCE BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS AND IMPROVE EMOTIONAL WELL- BEING. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, CGRC OFFERS AN ARRAY OF DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY, PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND TESTING, PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION, AND PRESCRIPTION OF MEDICATION WITH PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION AND MONITORING. CGRC IS LICENSED AS AN OUTPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE. IT IS A FREE-STANDING, PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CENTER. CHILD GUIDANCE RESOURCE CENTERS BELIEVES THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BASIC COMPETENCIES THAT THEY CAN UTILIZE TO WORK TOWARD AND ACHIEVE TREATMENT GOALS. THE EFFORTS FOCUS ON HELPING CLIENTS IDENTIFY THEIR STRENGTHS AND ASSETS IN ADDITION TO THEIR PROBLEMS, BECAUSE AVAILABLE COPING SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT PROCESS. WE COLLABORATE WITH CLIENTS TO HELP THEM EFFICIENTLY IMPROVE THEIR FUNCTIONING AND ABILITY TO MANAGE CURRENT SOCIAL DEMANDS. THIS PHILOSOPHY RESULTS IN THE USE OF SHORT TERM, PRACTICAL TREATMENT METHODS THAT FOCUS ON SYMPTOM REDUCTION AND IMPROVING BOTH PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING. CGRC IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, SEX, RACE, RELIGION, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, HANDICAP, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY EXPERIENCED THERAPISTS WHO HAVE A GRADUATE LEVEL TRAINING (MASTERS OR DOCTORAL DEGREES) AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CHILDREN, ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS WHO NEED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, EITHER PRIMARILY OR IN ADDITION TO THERAPY, ARE PROVIDED WITH OPTIONS FOR THIS SERVICE, EITHER AT CGRC OR OTHER PROVIDERS IF CGRC IS AT CAPACITY. CGRC IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER CHILD SERVING SYSTEMS IN DELAWARE COUNTY IN ORDER TO PROMOTE OPTIMAL COLLABORATION AND SERVICE. CGRC MAINTAINS REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH THE COUNTY OFFICES AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS THROUGH ATTENDANCE AT A NUMBER OF ONGOING COUNTY MEETINGS INCLUDING THE MONTHLY CHILDREN'S COALITION MEETING. COORDINATION WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS PROMOTED THROUGH REGULAR CALLS AND MAILINGS TO THE VARIOUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ANY CLIENT WHO IS IDENTIFIED AS REQUIRING EMERGENCY CRISIS SERVICE ARE REFERRED TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL FOR IMMEDIATE EVALUATION AND INTERVENTION BECAUSE CGRC DOES NOT HAVE A CRISIS CENTER.

SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -CHILD GUIDANCE PROVIDES SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS,BOTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND DURING THE SUMMER. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, CGRC CONDUCTS AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. THE TARGET AGE POPULATION IS AGES SIX THROUGH 18, ALTHOUGH IF DIAGNOSTICALLY APPROPRIATE ADOLESCENTS MAY REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM THROUGH AGE 21. THE GOAL IS TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES FROM MANY DIFFERENT APPROACHES THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION, ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT, AND REPLACING PROBLEM BEHAVIOR WITH FUNCTIONAL ALTERNATIVES. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 100 CHILDREN WILL ATTEND. THE SESSIONS ARE DIVIDED BY AGE AND FUNCTIONING LEVEL. OLDER CHILDREN ATTEND THREE DAYS PER WEEK, WHILE YOUNGER CHILDREN ATTEND 2 DAYS PER WEEK. THE SUMMER THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS ARE DIVIDED INTO A 4-WEEK SESSION AND A 5-WEEK SESSION. WE OPERATE THE PROGRAM IN FOUR LOCATIONS. THERE ARE SPECIALIZED TRACTS FOR CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS AND FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES, A CHILD MAY ATTEND ONE OR BOTH SESSIONS. FOR SOME OF THE CHILDREN, THERE IS A ONE HOUR PER DAY EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT. THERE WERE OVER 750 REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM. CGRC OPERATES FOUR SITES IN THREE SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES. THIS PAST YEAR WE EXTENDED A PILOT EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM TO ALL FOUR CAMPSITES. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON RULES FOR SOCIAL SKILLS DECISION MAKING. IT RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN INCIDENCE REPORTS. ADULT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES CGRC HAS THREE 24 HOURS A DAY FULL CARE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR CLIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THESE RESIDENCES IS TO HELP CONSUMERS TO DEVELOP EVERYDAY LIVING AND COPING SKILLS, TO MAINTAIN SOCIALIZATION SKILLS THROUGH A VARIETY OF STRATEGIES, TO DEVELOP INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SETTING REALISTIC GOALS AND AMBITIONS, AND TO BUILD SELF-ASSESSMENT SKILLS SO THEY CAN HANDLE STRESSORS TO PREVENT CRISIS SITUATIONS AND UNNECESSARY HOSPITALIZATIONS. THE STAFF WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY AND CREATIVELY WITH ALL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT OUR MUTUALLY SHARED CONSUMER HAS. THE LIST INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: MAST, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGERS, RESOURCE COORDINATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, CASE MANAGERS, PARTIAL HOSPITAL/MISA PROGRAMS, CLUB HOUSE PROGRAM, CONSUMER SATISFACTION TEAM, DELAWARE COUNTY OFFICE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, OTC WORK PROGRAM, AND FAMILIES. THE CONSUMER MUST POSSESS BASIC LIVING SKILLS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP THEM FURTHER. DEPENDING ON THE PARTICULAR RESIDENCE, THE CONSUMERS COOK FOR HIMSELF/HERSELF, OR THE STAFF MAY PREPARE COMMON MEALS. CONSUMERS MAINTAIN HIS OR HER APARTMENT. WE SERVE CLIENTS 18 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE WHO ARE DELAWARE COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE PROGRAM CAPACITY IS 23. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS IS 22. A SPECIAL TRACT FOR TRANSITION AGE (18-25) IS OFFERED WITHIN THIS PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, PROVISIONS ARE MADE FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO HAVE CO-OCCURRING CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS. A DSM-IV MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, THE ABILITY FOR SELF-PRESERVATIONS, AND THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN HIM/HER IN AN APARTMENT SETTING WITH ONE OR TWO ROOMMATES ARE ALL ADMISSION CRITERIA. OVER THE PAST YEARS, THE PROGRAM HAS FOCUSED ON IMPLEMENTING THE WRAP PROTOCOL. THIS IS THE WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLAN. EACH CLIENT NOW HAS ONE.