Basic Center Program
Residental Services
History
Family Youth Interventions (FYI) was founded in 1975, as the Macomb
County Youth Interim Care Facility, a component of Comprehensive
Youth Services Inc. (CYS). CYS was originally founded in 1970 by
community volunteers with the People’s Free Medical Clinic,
then grew to meet the need for additional community services –
outpatient counseling, substance abuse treatment, and family planning.
In 1975, a student intern, along with the executive director wrote
a grant application to provide services for runaway and homeless
youth. While the application was an exercise for the student, and
approval was not anticipated, the grant was approved. Upon securing
the convent of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and support of the
City of Warren, FYI opened it’s doors to the first client
in Spring, 1976. In 2000, FYI relocated to Mt. Clemens after purchasing
and remodeling a four-bedroom home. FYI is licensed as a Child Caring
Institution by the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry
Services. A maximum of six youth can be housed at any one time,
for a maximum length of stay of 15 days. In October 2005, FYI expanded
its’ services to include a Homeless Youth Program. This program
can provide up to 18 months of service to homeless youth 16 through
age 20 and their families with the primary focus of helping youth
achieve self-sufficiency and remain off the streets.
Funding
Primary funding for FYI is through grants from the US Department
of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Human
Services. In addition, FYI receives funding from the Michigan Department
of Education, food from Gleaners Community Food Bank and material
and monetary contributions from our client families and the community
at large.
Staff
The clinical staff consists of a consulting psychologist and two
therapists who provide individual and family counseling services.
There are three full-time and approximately 5-8 part-time Intervention
Counselors who work directly with the youth on a daily basis. The
Homeless Youth Program includes an additional therapist who provides
counseling and case management services. The Program Director, Intervention
Counselor Supervisor, and a maintenance person complete the program
team. Volunteers and student interns are also utilized in a range
of capacities. FYI acts as in internship site at both the Masters
and Bachelors level for numerous universities and colleges. The
facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The bulk of
administrative responsibilities are managed by Comprehensive Youth
Services, Inc., which is staffed with an Executive Director, Executive
Bookkeeper and Executive Secretary. CYS, Inc. is governed by the
community-based Board of Directors.
Residential Services
Individual Therapy
Upon program entry, clients are assigned a therapist. Clients meet
with their therapist for a minimum of 5 hours over the 2 week period.
This is done to help prepare both the therapist and client for family
sessions, as well as helping the youth work on individual issues.
Family Therapy
Four family therapy sessions are to be held within each client’s
15-day residential stay. During these sessions, therapists help
the families explore current difficulties and create goals to improve
the family situation. From this foundation the family can begin
to address the obstacles that prevent them from becoming successful.
FYI takes a Systems approach, seeking to change the youth’s
behavior through change within the family system in which they live.
This approach is reflected in our Vision Statement – To Help
Families Help Youth Become Successful Adults.
Group
Group Therapy is scheduled daily. Various issues that impact adolescents
are discussed in a safe environment, with strict confidentiality
guidelines. Clients are encouraged to express themselves openly
and honestly, however these discussions are more generalized than
the individual therapy sessions. Group can incorporate activities
that stimulate the thought processes of participants often using
hands-on activities. Group topics may include, but are not limited
to: self esteem, assertiveness training, conflict resolution, decision-making,
peer pressure, stress management, anger management and cultural
awareness.
Life Skills
Life Skills activities, held several times a week, incorporate practical
“life” and job seeking skills. Specific activities include,
filling out a job application, preparing for a job interview and
participation in a mock interview. Life skill training includes
planning and preparing meals, and household budget planning exercises.
Clients apply learned skills and responsibility as they are expected
to maintain their assigned bedroom and participate in daily housecleaning.
Clients are also involved in community service activities ranging
from packing food for community programs to aiding staff at a nursing
facility for the elderly.
Study Hour
Study hour is designed to allow the clients time to complete their
school work during their two week stay at FYI. Parents are expected
to request homework from school counselors, enabling the youth to
stay current in their studies. Clients incorporate this activity
into their schedule twice daily. If the client finds that they are
unable to finish assigned work in the two allotted hours, additional
time is provided.
Current Events
Current Events is an educational activity designed to spark an interest
in local and world events. A variety of activities incorporate information
found in magazines, newspapers and on TV. Clients may go on outings
to local areas of interest to enhance in-house lessons.
Recreation
Youth are involved in a variety of recreational activities in-house
and in the community while at FYI. These activities range from a
weekly outing to the YMCA and in-house games (pool, board games,
basketball, etc.), to trips to the park, zoo, hiking trails, local
sporting events and plays.
Experiential
Experiential activities are a regular part of agency programming.
These activities are designed to challenge the clients, both individually
and as members of a team. These activities can be both physically
and mentally challenging, such as moving across a designate amount
of space while working as a team and/or having to work together
to solve a seemingly impossible puzzle. Through these activities,
clients learn to participate, work together and demonstrate positive
leadership skills.
Rules
FYI residential services include a highly structured program in
which there are clear expectations of the youth. Part of these expectations
consists of numerous rules that need to be adhered to. Some of the
rules are based on licensing requirements, including health and
fire safety condition. Having a defined set of rules helps client
relations. We often have clients of diverse cultural and family
backgrounds and these rules help to avoid conflict around these
differences. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, rules at FYI
will help clients learn about the rules of society and the need
to follow them. The rules at FYI will provide the clients with a
sense of boundaries and safety.
When a rule is broken at FYI, the client involved is given a consequence.
It is important that consequences are not punishment, but learning
experiences for the client. Therefore, consequences given are in
direct relation to the rule broken, and often choices are presented
to clients, as their input will create an atmosphere of responsibility
and learning. Involving parents in setting consequences is often
a useful means in helping the parents prepare for the youth’s
return to the home.
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418 Cass Avenue Mount Clemens MI 48043
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