Information for Parents
Our Services
Family Youth Interventions
(FYI) is a state licensed child caring agency and runaway service
provider for youth 10 through 17 years of age. The agency’s
mission is to provide crisis management services for youth and families,
with the focus of providing a safe alternative to the street, and
reunification of the youth with their family. We work to achieve
these goals through counseling, education and support. The intensive
program is designed to make the greatest positive impact within
the limited 15 day period.
Our experience indicates
that full participation in the 15 day residential program produces
the greatest overall result. For the parent or legal guardian, this
includes attending and participating in all scheduled family sessions.
Your level of involvement and commitment will directly affect your
son/daughter’s outcome. If you wish your son/daughter to attend
school or work outside the program, we will discuss these options
with you. Services may be terminated prior to the scheduled discharge
date by the family or the therapist. We cannot authorize placement
outside the home. If your child leaves the program without permission,
we will contact you and the police immediately.
•The FYI Team Approach-
The entire staff at FYI work together to best help your family.
The Intervention Counselors carry out intake assessments, assist
parents and work closely with the therapists. They also supervise
your child throughout the day, facilitate activities and provide
necessities to the residents. A therapist will be assigned, providing
individual counseling for your child as well as family therapy.
All the staff work in a collaborative effort. Co-therapy, team observation
of family sessions and weekly team meetings are some ways in which
the staff work together.
•Confidentiality-
FYI complies with all State and Federal confidentiality guidelines.
Please see the attached Notice of Privacy Practices.
•Program rules
and guidelines- We encourage parents/guardians to read over the
Client Handbook so they can be familiar with the rules and guidelines
and help enforce them with their son or daughter.
•Phone calls- Parents
and other approved callers are welcome to call the youth at any
time between 8 am and 10 pm. If the clients are in an activity,
we will ask the caller to call back or have the youth return the
call. The intake worker will ask if the youth is allowed payphone
privileges so that they may call their friends on breaks.
•Family visitation/outings-
These can be arranged a day in advance with your child’s therapist.
Outings plans can include church, AA or other support group meetings,
or appointments. People other than parents/guardians will not be
able to visit with or transport your child without your written
and/or verbal permission and advising staff in advance.
•School work- Parents
are expected to contact their child’s school upon program
admittance to make arrangements for homework for 2 weeks. The parent/guardian
is responsible for getting the homework to their child. Staff is
available to assist your child with their work during scheduled
study hours or during the child’s break time.
•Emergency Contact
People- You are required to provide contact information for 2 people
other than yourself that staff may contact in an urgent or emergency
situation when your are not available. They must live in the area
and be able to drive.
•Medication- All
medication, whether prescription or not, must be given to staff
at intake. Medication will be locked up and dispensed according
to the label instructions or doctors instructions. Medication must
be brought in the original container. Parents will be required to
count the number of prescription medications at intake. Clients
are primarily responsible for receiving their medications, either
by requesting them from staff or writing a reminder on the client’s
daily schedule.
•Early discharge-
Occasionally, clients are prematurely discharged due to issues such
as aggression, harassment or the program not meeting the child’s
needs. If you are called to pick up your child early, they are to
be picked up within the hour, either by yourself or an authorized
emergency contact.
•Illness- If your
child develops a contagious illness, has a fever or has symptoms
that prevent them from participating fully, they must be temporarily
discharged from the program. If the above situations arise, parents
will be called and are expected to pick up their child within the
hour or make arrangements for an emergency contact to do so.
•Food- Your child
will be provided with 3 balanced meals per day as well as 2 opportunities
for a snack. We comply with all State, County and Department of
Education guidelines regarding meal planning and sanitation. Your
child will actively participate in weekly menu planning, shopping
and food preparation activities during their stay. We feel this
provides a variety of valuable life skills. You are welcome to provide
your child with snacks during their stay but this is not a requirement.
•Clients’
Rights Advisor- (Executive Director, Comprehensive
Youth Services, Inc.) is the designated advisor of client’s
rights. Should your child, at any time, feel that their rights are
being violated during their stay at FYI and have not received adequate
response by the staff, you or your child may contact Ms. Smyth (586-463-7079)
who will respond appropriately.
If you have any questions
or concerns, please ask any staff member. We’d be happy to
assist you.
What parents/guardians
need to know when setting up an intake/assessment:
*The assessment is a 1½ to 2 hour process. If the youth is
accepted, they enter the program upon completion of the I/A. They
should be prepared with their belongings (see pink sheet).
*The I/A is not a guarantee the youth will be admitted into the
program.
*The youth must volunteer to enter the program and cannot be forced
or coerced.
*ALL parents & guardians that are in the area and have contact
with the youth are expected to participate in 4, 1 hour family sessions.
*The first family session may take place during the day. The therapist
will attempt to work with the family’s schedule for the next
sessions but may not be able to accommodate all desired appointment
times. |
