Youths in foster care can be excited and scared when they turn 18. Although reaching their independence, they also age out of the system. According to the THRU project, 40% of foster youths will experience homelessness by the time they are 19, and 50% of the homeless population were foster youth at some point in their life. While residential programs such as STRTPs or QRTPs offer stabilization and resource parents offer home life atmospheres, they are limited in the real-world programs they can offer.
A transitional housing placement program (THPP) offers them a bridge from adolescence to adulthood. In these placements, they receive stability, a safe and secure home, and a nurturing place. The youth improves their functioning, so they don’t need the constant supervision of staff in a residential facility or the parenting needs in a foster home.
In the THPP, the young adult has certain requirements to follow. Based on state laws, they usually have to be in school part-time, working part-time, engaged in seeking work or school, or have a disability that precludes them from participating in these activities. During the time they are in the THPP, the adult is assigned to a social worker or case manager who meets them every week. The worker checks in on their living situation and ensures they are using their budgeted money wisely. The adult is also receiving life skills training on a variety of topics, from healthcare to money management.
The challenge currently is that not enough THPPs exist in the community. More emphasis in the states is on residential care and foster care (although foster homes can also house adults as part of extended foster care). Without more homes or apartment sites, the risk of homelessness for foster youth will continue.
The THPP offers these opportunities. They have the same guidelines as foster care or residential care (Needs and Services Plans, access to mental health and medical care, a Child and Family Team). But unlike other placements, they have more freedom to learn new skills. Budgeting, schoolwork, career planning, workforce development, childcare, and parenting, furnishing a home are some of the skill sets they achieve. Unlike the previous placements which were treatment-based, THPPs become more case management-based. The youth learns their skills and how to make it on their own.
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PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
PRAXES has over 30 years of accreditation experience. We know what it takes to get your organization accredited. Whether it’s Joint Commission, CARF, or COA, our team can provide an evaluation of your current status and review the standards which need improvements. We will assist you with the policies, documentation, and training required to be accredited.
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