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Group Care programs support youth who need help to make long-term and lasting changes in their lives or in themselves.
Most of the youth entering our programs are experiencing difficulties
and conflict with their families. Many are involved with a Children’s
Aid Society.
The length of residency varies according to each person's commitment to
continue planning and attaining goals. Youth must be willing to live
cooperatively with other residents and to follow the basic program
expectations.
Most residents stay from 3 to 12 months. WAYS staff help each youth to
prepare and plan for a suitable living situation after they leave the
program.
- To meet basic needs such as food, clothing, safe shelter and medical care.
- To teach the life skills, social skills and job training necessary for independent living.
- To develop and maintain active community participation in school, recreational facilities and a variety of community services.
- To connect youth with additional mental health services when necessary.
- When appropriate, to help youth and their families establish and maintain healthy relationships.
- A safe environment with reasonable guidelines and expectations.
- Staff
provide structure and limits for youth, with ongoing counselling,
guidance and support. Within the first 30 days, the resident will work
with a staff member to formulate a Plan of Care detailing realistic
goals.
- All residents have a structured day program that
usually includes going to school. Many of our facilities have on-site
classrooms.
- Youth learn to cope with life by participating in everyday responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping.
- Access
to other community resources such as the YM-YWCA and outpatient
counselling services to meet emotional and physical needs.
- Clinical supports such as social work, nursing, psychology and psychiatry are available at some programs.
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