CHANGING FACES & AGAPE HOMES, INC.
RESIDENT MANUAL
Welcome to Changing Faces & Agape Homes.
We, at Changing Faces & Agape Homes, understand how difficult it is moving to a new environment. We are here to assist you in reaching your goals, both personal and professional. We have designed this manual to help ease any confusion that you might be feeling and to ensure that you understand how the program operates.
Placement at Changing Faces & Agape Homes is very different than placement at a juvenile hall or a foster home. During Placement, you will receive ongoing counseling, participate in groups, learn to accept responsibility for your behavior and actions, increase your independent living skills, make changes necessary to live a socially responsible life, and to develop skills necessary for problem-solving and sound decision-making.
During the Intake Process you will be informed of Changing Faces & Agape Homes Rules and Regulations. All rules are enforced and guidelines are set to help you begin making positive changes in your life. Also, during the Intake Process you will learn about the different programs that Changing Faces & Agape Homes has to offer.
This manual will provide you with information about the Behavior Modification Level System. This system is designed so that you can measure your progress in the program. There are certain requirements that you’re expected to meet for each level. Both staff and your peers will give you feedback on how you are doing on each level. When you are working the program you will advance to new levels, allowing yourself to have more privilege at each level. Remember, all parts of your program are important, including school, work, activities, home passes, therapeutic services, doing your chores, how you interact with staff and other residents, et cetera.
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There is a lot of information that you will need to learn about Changing Faces & Agape Homes, and much of it is explained in this manual. Refer to it to answer any question’s you may have. Remember, you can also talk to your peers or staff. We are all here to work together.
Remember, also, that this is YOUR manual. It is important that you refer to it when you are unsure of any area of the program.
GETTING STARTED THE RIGHT WAY
You’ve been interviewed and accepted into Changing Faces & Agape Homes. This means you’ve made commitments or promises to change, set goals for yourself, and you have agreed to follow the rules of Changing Faces & Agape Homes. Now it is time to start the program.
Changing Faces & Agape Homes provides you with the opportunity to make a fresh start and to improve certain areas in your life. From this point forward you will be taking steps to build a new reputation and life for yourself. This is based on how well you work the program, and how you interact with the people around you.
Here are a few suggestions that will make your stay at Changing Faces & Agape Homes a successful one:
1. Pay close attention and listen carefully
2. Cooperate
3. Ask questions when you are unsure of anything…there is no such thing as a “dumb” question
4. Develop a positive attitude
5. Remain open to new experiences
These are some of the ways that you can show people that you are working your program. Cooperate with staff and peers. Utilize the group to discuss your feelings and to solve problems. You need to be honest about your behavior and accept responsibility for your mistakes.
The staff at Changing Faces & Agape Homes hopes you successfully complete the Intake and move to the next part of your program. Remember we are here to help you. It is your program and you are the one responsible for making it a success.
Therapeutic Agents/Services
Group Counseling/Meetings:
Group meetings are held at least one time per week, for approximately one hour. Group meetings consist of all residents and a member of the treatment team. Participation in these meetings will assist you in developing problem-solving and relationship-building skills. Peer groups are also held weekly, and you are encouraged to attend these as well. These may be held with a member of the Management Team, Treatment Team and/or a Child Care Worker.
Groups can be the most important function of leading a successful program. During group, you will be involved in discussions about your program, childhood, future, etc. You will be able to get support and feedback from both your peers and staff.
B. Group Expectations
· Individual group members come to group prepared to talk about their personal agendas.
· A group agenda is an important issue or problem you are willing to talk about in a group.
· Agendas are clear and to the point. Group members have the responsibility to offer serious and honest feedback.
· The feedback needs to be supportive and non-confrontational.
The following expectations are necessary for group to remain safe and supportive:
Honesty: Only the truth is acceptable because dishonesty will hurt both you and the group.
Risk Taking Being honest and open takes courage and will build strength in you and trust within the group.
Confidentiality Feelings and information shared during the group must
stay in the group and are never to be discussed outside
the group.
Respect Respect must be shown for yourself and fellow members
of the group. Respect is shown by following the group
norms.
B. Group Norms
Groups are structured with specific rules called “norms.” Norms are rules or standards for behaving. Group members help their group by going over the norms of the group with each member.
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A 2% grade increase will be given to each resident who successfully attends group.
What are some of the “norms” at Changing Faces & Agape Homes?
· Active participation in group
· What is discussed in the group remains in the group
· Be on time
· No verbal threats
· Only one person may speak at a time
· Absolutely no physical intimidation
· Communicate openly and non-defensively
How Can Group Help Me?
· I learn to identify and express my feelings in order to understand myself better
· I learn how to listen to others’ feelings
· I learn to be honest with myself and take responsibility for my feelings, thoughts and actions
· I learn how to solve problems so I can reach my goals
· I learn how to help others problem-solve
· I learn that I am an individual; I am independent and able to stand-up for myself
· I learn that I am part of a group; I can expect others to support me and to challenge me
· I learn to feel good about myself and to feel good about my relationships with others
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Effective Communication?
“I know you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” Anonymous
Open non-defensive communication is very important in life and can be learned in group at Changing Faces & Agape Homes. Good relationship skills and problem solving skills require effective communication. The following list will help you learn the difference between defensive and supportive, open communication.
Defensive Supportive and Open
1. Judgments’ vs Descriptions
2. Control vs Problem-Solving
3. Superiority vs Equality
4. Certainty vs Process/Looking at options
5. Uninvolved Looking at where the other
person is coming from
6. Saying what you think vs Speaking up about real
others will want you to and honest feelings
hear
7. “You” messages vs “I” messages
8. Preaching vs Listening and clarifying
9. Criticizing vs Expressing sincerely thought
10. Ignoring vs Acknowledging
Individual Counseling
Every youth and non-minor dependent of Changing Faces and Agape Homes is
expected to participate in individual counseling. Changing Faces and Agape Homes has
counselors available to its youth for weekly sessions. Individual counseling is part of
every resident’s treatment plan in order to address individual needs and program
progression.
Family Counseling
Family counseling is available when appropriate. Not all of us have families that are
able to participate in counseling; therefore this will be determined by the
Treatment Team, Placing Agency and youth.
Equine
Changing Faces and Agape Homes are the proud owners of a Registered Paint Horse,
named Savannah as well as a rescued Thoroughbred, named Orlando. The youth of
Changing Faces and Agape Homes take turns going to the ranch to groom, ride, and
care for the animals. Horses are known to be very therapeutic for humans and our
youth agree. Involvement is not mandatory. It is voluntary.
Other possible contracted therapeutic agents
Therapeutic Behavioral Specialists
Children’s Systems of Care
Children's Behavioral Health
Therapeutic Response Aides
Transition Age Youth
CHANGING FACES & AGAPE HOMES
ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
Changing Faces & Agape Homes offers residents the opportunity to participate in various activities, including sports and recreation. Residents will also be able to participate in group outings. Recreational activities include all forms of wellness, physical and spiritual programs. Residents may elect to attend the YMCA, the Abel Maldonado Community Center or local youth centers. Physical activities involve participating in everything from running and swimming to basketball and softball, just to name a few.
Residents are encouraged to participate in attending church services on Sundays. This is strictly each resident’s choice and Changing Faces & Agape Homes will not force anyone to participate.
Group outings occur on weekends and are based on how well you are working the program. Outings must be approved prior to leaving the home. Outings can be events happening in our community as well as surrounding communities. Outings range from attending sporting events, going to a beach or park, to going to Magic Mountain. It all depends on you and your willingness to participate.
Twelve-step group meetings in the community, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous (NA/AA) are offered. It is each resident’s personal choice whether or not to attend these meetings, unless they are a condition of Probation or an element of your Treatment Plan.
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CHANGING FACES & AGAPE HOMES
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Each of you will be attending an educational institution of some kind, whether it be a local, public junior high or high school, perhaps a continued education or alternative education facility, or even a probation school.
In addition, each of you will be participating in training programs. The modules consist of cognitive development, emotional development, living skills, parenting, and various therapeutic agents. You may learn to develop a spiritual, physical and emotional maturity. Your training program will be clearly outlined in your Treatment Plan and specific to your needs.
For those of you who are eligible, you will be required to attend ILP classes that are offered in your area and local camps for ILP; such as, computer camps etc.
Independent Living Group
The Independent Living Group (ILG) is a program designed to provide life skills and transitional planning to the residents of the Changing Faces Inc. and Agape Homes. It is meant to help the residents plan for their future after the group home and give them essential skills needed for living independently. The ILG program is multiple workshops providing information on various subjects to the residents. The instruction is presented in different styles, from lecture to activities, quizzes and some field trips. The material is presented to the residents in a way that is interesting and fun. The ILG program encourages participation amongst the residents and offers additional one on one service if needed. By the end of the ILG program, each participant will have been educated on the topics of Career Interests and resumes; College Planning; Banking and Budgeting; Housing, Transportation and DMV information, Community Awareness; Personal Safety and Emergency Awareness/Preparation; Legal Knowledge and will have completed a Transitional Plan. The ILG program provides an overview of the workshop to the participants during the first class as well as rules and expectations. The participants are informed of the topics that will be presented and encouraged to ask questions or request additional information on any of the topics presented.
Transition Preparation
Residents may be referred to participate in transition services following successful completion of the Independent Living Group. Transition Preparation is designed to assist the youth to learn a variety of skills that build off of what was initially taught in ILG. If Transition Preparation is included in your Treatment Plan, you may participate in various goals and objectives stated in a Transition Plan devised by yourself and the Social Worker of Changing Faces and Agape Homes, be expected to gain employment, save money, work towards gaining a California Driver’s License, and other similar activities that will better prepare each you for your future..
Healthy Relationship, Parenting & Prevention Program
The Healthy Relationship, Parenting and Prevention (HRPP) program is designed to provide the education and skills necessary for awareness regarding relationships, as well as the effects of not taking proper precautions when making decisions. HRPP is a series of workshops introducing the reality to residents with regard to sex, relationships, STD’s and pregnancy. Residents are educated on various topics and involved in discussion about the different aspects to particular scenarios. The workshops explore the options available to individuals who may need the support as well as the long term effects of each option. Infant Simulation Program (ISP) is another part to the workshop, which allows the residents in the class to participate in caring for a baby for 3 days. The baby is downloaded with a program designed to offer a situation similar to caring for an actual living baby. The downloaded babies are programmed with different cries to communicate if they are hungry, need a diaper change, need to be rocked or need to be burped. The resident is responsible for the baby for the length of the download and required to care for the infant by responding to the baby by a monitoring system that matches the baby with the proper caretaker. The program is designed to track all mishandlings as well as make sure all the proper caretaking was given to the baby.