We are seeking to expand current services provided to include a transitional living housing program, in order to meet the growing need of at risk youth for supportive housing services.
A total of five youth, ages 16-21, will be provided housing, behavior management, clinical services, life skill development, and 24 hour support and supervision by West Motivations staff. Youth to be served will include those aging out of the foster care system, those in need of less restrictive placement such as residential programs, and who are in need of additional support services in order to transition successfully into adulthood.
The program is designed to achieve three primary service goals guided by positive youth development principles.
The goals and objectives include:
Prepare youth to be self sufficient and transition successfully into adulthood
Meet each youth’s emotional and behavioral needs
Strengthen youth relationships with family members
Through a positive youth development approach, WEST MOTIVATIONS seeks to build emotional and cognitive competence, self determination, and self efficacy in youth. WEST MOTIVATIONS offers a variety of services within the context of supportive housing services.
Counseling Techniques – Youth support staff will utilize counseling techniques in order to assist youth with problem solving
Therapeutic Services – Individualized weekly individual and group therapy will be provided to each youth on site by a staff clinician.
Psychiatric Services – Community providers will be collaborated with in order to meet the psychiatric/medication needs of youth
Life Skill Development – The Ansell Casey curriculum will be utilized to assist the youth in developing skills in the areas of Career Planning, Employment, Housing, Transportation, Money Management, and House Management. A Life Skill Training Specialist, who will be on staff, will conduct monthly workshops and facilitate the development of individualized life skill goal plans. Life Skill Assessments will be completed quarterly, with the initial assessment being completed within 24 hours admission in collaboration with the youth support team.
Education Support Services – An Education Specialist will provide one to one tutoring services based on individual needs of each youth, which will be specified in the youth’s treatment plan
Staff Support and Staff Development – Staff Development Specialists will provide monthly training to local residential programs in order to assist them in preparing youth to enter independent living programs and transition into adulthood.
24 Hour On Call Support – Executive Director or Clinical Coordinator will be on call 24 hours/day for staff and youth.
Music Studio- Under the direction of Ralph West, youth will be provided with opportunities to create their own music using equipment located in the music studio, to write lyrics, and to record songs. Through these self expression opportunities, youth will be able to identify, express, and manage feelings that they otherwise may not.