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Programs
Alternative Living Solutions ~ Greensburg Youth initiative
females between the ages of 15 1/2 & 21
Alternative Living Solutions/Greensburg Youth Initiative offers three
types of programs for females between the ages of 15 1/2 to 21,
90-Day Program, and Supervised Independent Living. These programs focus on the
needs of the youth in a residential setting, providing the opportunity to learn
social, life and job skills throughout the youth's stay. Education is provided
on the grounds with the potential for hands on job experience in the community.
Alternative Living Solutions is committed to developing innovative
programming that
challenges and enhances community supports for the youth and
families we serve.
Program Description
Alternative Living Solutions-Greensburg Youth Initiative (ALS-GYI) is licensed
by the Department of Public Welfare Office of Children, Youth, and Families
license under the 3800 regulations
as Transitional Living.
The GYI program is located in South Greensburg, PA,
Westmoreland County, and falls into the Western Region of DPW.
ALS is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization intended
to focus on and address needs of the at-risk youth population.
Admissions to the program include:
dependent, delinquent, or privately referred youth
placements for females ages 151/2-21.
GYI accepts youth who are pregnant and will carry
their baby to birth. Clients may be from Pennsylvania and/or other states.
ALS-GYI’s approach to youth services is to provide a family oriented and mission
driven program. Primarily this is to create a positive therapeutic community
culture. The purpose of the program is to advance youth competencies in an
effort to enhance pro-social skills, emotional and behavioral stability, and the
youth’s opportunity for becoming responsible and productive members of society.
ALS-GYI is committed to a competency development
approach of enhancing a youth’s skill sets in the five principle domains:
-
Pro-Social Skills
-
Moral Reasoning Skills
-
Academic Skills
-
Workforce Development Skills
-
Independent Living Skill
ALS-GYI’s philosophy includes the belief that youth have the
right to self-determination, interaction with others as part of respect and
dignity, the right to participate in their Individualized Treatment Planning
processes, and the right to participate in BARJ programming, when appropriate.
ALS-GYI is located in the Greensburg Salem School District. Youth that
demonstrate consistent responsible behaviors have an opportunity to attend
public school along with the ability to participate in school sports,
activities, and functions.
Additionally, we assist in educational
re-enrollment through aftercare services.
For youth who are GED candidates, they can study on
site as well as in community classes for responsible youth.
Through encouraging our youth to become active
participants in their competency development, ALS-GYI is devoted to developing
relationship-strengthening within the family unit, establishing a community
connectedness focus, and promoting a healthy peer culture through positive and
active roles for youth as leaders and mentors.
At ALS-GYI, families are an important component of
the youth’s individualized treatment.
When the opportunity
is available, the therapist conducts family therapy directly in the youth’s home
with their parent/guardian.
This is determined according to the needs of the
family.
If family therapy is not necessary, ALS Behavioral
Specialists meet and speak with the parent/guardian face to face when the youth
is dropped off for all home passes.
During these personal meetings, progress is
discussed as well as what needs to be worked on.
ALS-GYI
agrees with the belief that the role of the youth’s family is to actively
support development of their child’s competencies and to hold the youth
accountable; they are viewed as assets and partners who may need to be motivated
to accept their rightful role or to learn new parenting techniques that will
assist in advancing competency development. This
strength-based approach is predominant throughout all aspects of our
programming.
As an agency, ALS-GYI does not permit
unconventional treatment modalities.
As research indicates, youth with behavioral and
emotional difficulties can benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Aggression Replacement Training (ART), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
interventions.
ALS-GYI conducts CBT, ART, and PTSD trainings with
all staff based on the best practices approach.
All youth can attend CBT groups where they learn
how to identify thinking errors and common mental mistakes as a means of taking
responsibility for their behaviors.
ART focuses on teaching positive alternatives in
the areas of pro-social, anger control, and moral reasoning.
Only those with an identified need will receive
PTSD groups with the case manager.
ALS-GYI assists today’s youth with
vocational preparation, emotional support services, and life skill development.
ALS-GYI strives to provide a safe and productive
environment for youth while successfully reintegrating the youth into a
community environment.
It is our belief that if programming fosters an
individual’s strengths and enhances their sense of self-worth, the individual
will be able to attain
a prolific long-term lifestyle.
ALS-GYI goes beyond the expectations of traditional
placement facilities. With involvement in areas of community service, ALS-GYI
focuses on the strength and pride that emerges when groups of different purposes
come together. Empowering youth to solve problems rationally while making good
decisions, sharing life experiences, developing empathy for others, providing
training for future employment opportunities and gaining a sense of
self-responsibility through these connections is what sets ALS-GYI apart from
other traditional settings.
Upon intake, each youth receives a Health and Safety
Evaluation to assist in identifying any mental and/or physical health concerns
of the youth.
Factors such as medical history, abuse history, and life
experiences are used to establish the most effective behavioral management
interventions.
If
not already completed, the EPSDT screening will occur.
This document is kept in the youth’s file.
The file also contains the Individual Service Plan
(ISP). All files are kept in a confidential manner consistent with HIPPA
regulations.
The ISP is created with the collaboration of the youth,
family, case manager, school personnel, Behavioral Specialist, and Placing
Agency within the first fourteen days of the youth’s intake. The ISP contains
individualized goals with time-limited objectives to evaluate the child’s skill
levels. The youth’s progress of
their short-term and long-term goals is reviewed monthly in addition to a
comprehensive ISP review quarterly.
The ISP serves, as a measure of the youth’s competency development, needs for
safety, education, and permanency planning.
If the youth receives any Behavior Plans or Restrictive Procedure Plans,
they will be reviewed within the quarterly ISP.
Interdependent Responsible Living
Unlike many traditional
programs, ALS-GYI offers a distinctive look at independent living.
ALS-GYI is located at 1339 Broad Street, Greensburg, PA, in the borough
of South Greensburg. Our unique
atmosphere provides the youth we serve with a realistic vision to life as a
responsible adult and prepares them for living independently.
The youth are responsible for maintaining their “household” and must work
together as a group in order to successfully achieve this.
Facility
The building is a grand old tri-plex located on the corner of
Broad and Sheridan. The three
apartments are fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom necessities.
Two of the apartments are two bedrooms, while the other is one bedroom
efficiency with a full bath and kitchen.
Each apartment has basic cable.
There is a common laundry area, as well as a multi-use conference
room. An important aspect of
the facility is its safety features.
There is an integrated 911 fire alarm system, and a free standing fire exit from
the upper floors. For human traffic
control, there is a single point of entry into the building.
A video monitoring system for accountability and safety within the common
areas and the orientation apartment is a beneficial component of the overall
environment
There is a bus stop at the corner for both public
transportation and for the school bus.
There are job opportunities within walking distance and via public and
program transportation. The
recreation areas are abundant including a rails to trails path two blocks away.
Youth may be able to attend and/ or
participate in public settings such as:
high school, vocational school, or community
college.
They may work by obtaining and maintaining a job.
They can learn a trade in a formal
apprentice-training program.
The library, recreational areas, and local shopping
malls are community sites youth can access and enjoy.
They can develop friendships that are age and peer
appropriate, as well as other family and adult relationships.
Areas that youth are responsible for include:
- Doing
their own laundry
-
Planning menus
-
Shopping for groceries (staff takes youth to the store)
-
Budgeting
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Preparing all meals
-
Cleaning
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Learning how to access public transportation
Youth must abide by all program rules, local and state laws;
these include:
Safety: youth have their own keys, and are not to
duplicate to give to others
Smoking: -
NO SMOKING while in the program
Drugs:
-
no non-prescription drugs are permitted
- all prescription and over the counter medications
are monitored
ALS may randomly drug test youth at any time.
Alcohol:
- no possession or consumption permitted
Visitors: -
no visitors permitted until individually approved by staff
Sexual relations:
sexual relationships of any kind are prohibited in
the residence
As part
of the ALS-GYI interdependent role we provide for the youth on site support
staff available 24/7, coaching with teaching, planning and assisting in other
youth responsibilities.
Staff assist with all aspects of the youth’s
treatment, more concentrated to less monitoring based on progress in achieving
their goals.
Based upon Steven Covey’s ideas of interdependency “reliance
and measured dependence upon one another”; the youth can feel confident knowing
that they have the support and guidance of ALS-GYI staff.
Understanding the Behavior Management Program at ALS
ALS utilizes a social/behavioral
management program applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy components as a
foundation for long-term healthy living.
Each youth involved in the program is given an
initial assessment to determine their individual needs.
Once the assessment is completed, the youth is able
to measure their success within the program through our level system referred to
as Waves.
The Waves focus on orientation, cognitive/emotional
change, educational needs, vocational interests, independent living skills, and
experiential/exchange of learning.
As youth advance through each wave, they earn more
privileges with added responsibilities. As youth transition through the Wave
system, the expectation is that they will recognize and welcome the challenge of
having more responsibility that accompanies additional privileges and
independence.
Overview of Wave system
Orientation
Wave (minimum
of 7days not to exceed 30 days) during this phase youth adjust to their new
living arrangement.
They are required to familiarize themselves with
the program schedule and learn program expectations.
The length of this phase depends on various factors
that pertain to individual needs based on limitations and treatment goals
identified by the placing agency.
During Orientation youth are not permitted to have
unsupervised community time.
Additionally, they are unable to begin seeking
employment.
WAVE ONE
1)
$15 monthly allowance (in
the form of Sand Dollars)
2)
One hour of unsupervised
community time 3 days per week(within neighborhood)
3)
One social outing per week
not to exceed 3 hours (mall, movies, etc)
4)
May have cell phone.
Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player
5)
One outgoing 20 minute
phone call, two incoming 10 minute calls per week
6)
One behavior contract per
month – 85% to pass
Requirements for transition to Wave Two
·
Complete independent living
skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:
o
Money management – Must
have maintained checkbook for the Sand Dollar Shop
o
Obtaining/Maintaining
employment – participate in a mock interview to include appropriate dress
o
Home maintenance and safety
skills – ‘How to’ essay 2pgs.
o
Food management- cooking,
menu planning, etc. – Prepare one complete dinner for the house.
·
Essay to petition for
transition and present it at a staff meeting
WAVE TWO
1)
$20
monthly allowance (in the form of Sand Dollars)
2)
1 ½ hour of unsupervised
community time 4 days per week(within neighborhood)
3)
Two social outings per week
not to exceed 2 hours each(mall, movies, etc)
4)
Permitted to have cell
phone. Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player
5)
One outgoing 30 minute
phone call, three incoming 10 minute calls per week
6)
Two behavior contracts per
month – 90% to pass
Requirements for transition to Wave Three
·
Complete
independent living skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:
o
Health and wellness – must
research healthcare options for after discharge (i.e. insurance types and costs,
what doctor, dentist, etc. you will use)
o
Social/Communication
skills- Essay ‘What is body language?’
define, give examples, and identify +/- effects
o
Personal care
o
Personal Safety- Essay What
does personal safety mean to you?
Have you or anyone you know ever been in a situation where personal safety was
at risk? Describe the situation;
what would you want others to know?
What did you learn and how would you handle similar circumstances?
·
Set and meet one short-term
goal
·
Essay to petition for
transition and present it at a staff meeting
WAVE
THREE
1)
$25 monthly allowance (in
the form of Sand Dollars)
2)
1 ½ hour of unsupervised
community time 4 days per week(within neighborhood)
3)
Two social outings per week
not to exceed 5 hours (mall, movies, etc)
4)
Permitted to have cell
phone. Electronics permitted in bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player
5)
Two outgoing 30 minute
phone calls, three incoming 10 minute calls per week
6)
Three behavior contracts
per month – 95% to pass
Requirements for transition to Interdependent Wave
·
Organize one community
service project
·
Set and meet two short-term
goals
·
Complete
independent living skills worksheets, assignments, and assessments focused on:
o
Housing - Assignment-you
make $1,080 per month. Find an
apartment, identify and figure out what all living expenses will be
o
Transportation – take a bus
trip by yourself
o
Community resources – based
on current treatment goals, research and identify your home community’s
resources/supports.
o
Understanding the law- BARJ
project/assignment
o
Higher education- research
a career interest and identify educational requirements.
Develop an education plan that includes what college/university/trade
school you can attend, what the expenses are, and financial aid options
o
Recreation
·
Organize and facilitate two
groups on a life skills subject
·
Write an essay to petition
for transition and present it at a staff meeting
INTERDEPENDENT WAVE
01)
$25 (cash) monthly
allowance
02)
Electronics permitted in
bedroom – Mp3 player, radio/CD player, T.V. computer/laptop
03)
Permitted to sign out for
community time/social outings with staff permission
Incentives
Sand Dollar Shop
Our Sand Dollar economy is a key
component in teaching independent living skills such as budgeting, reconciling a
checkbook, writing checks, learning the value of a dollar, and saving money.
In addition to our Sand Dollar economy, the youth
earn a monthly allowance (in the form of Sand Dollars) based on their current
wave.
Sand Dollars may be earned to serve as a positive
reinforcement for completing extra chores, practicing acceptable pro-social
skills, role modeling appropriate behaviors, and exceeding program expectations.
This is tracked by the youth in a checkbook registry.
The youth and staff both sign off daily to verify
the amount of Sand Dollars earned.
The Sand Dollars earned can be spent in our Sand
Dollar Shop every two weeks. Youth are required to write a “check” for items
purchased and balance their checkbook accordingly.
Youth may purchase health and beauty items,
clothing, stationary, stamps, books, and snacks.
Youth may choose to save their Sand Dollars for
more expensive items not available in the Sand Dollar Shop.
Behavior Contracts
- All youth are able to create behavior contracts.
Each youth must identify 5 contract points.
The terms of all contracts will be evaluated on
an individual basis.
Before any contract can be started it must be
approved.
- All contracts must be evaluated with staff twice a
day: (1) at 2:30pm (2) right before quiet time.
Staff must initial contract at each evaluation.
-
Contracts are worth $20 each
Unsupervised Time
1.
Must be done BEFORE dark….if you
request your time and it’s already dark outside you will not be permitted to go
2.
Youth are not permitted to ‘bank’,
save, or roll over any of their allotted time
3.
If youth are late returning to the
house they will lose that privilege for the week
4.
Youth must get permission, let
staff know where they are going, and sign out
5.
Youth are NOT permitted to get
into
a vehicle with ANYONE during this time unless approved of
in advance
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