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Family Involvement

An important feature of Arrowhead's residential programs is a family's involvement in their child's treatment. Formal parent/group counseling visitations are scheduled on the first and third Sunday every month from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. for the male population and the second and fourth Sunday of every month for the female population. Parents and/or guardians are expected to come each visitation day to visit with their child and to meet with other parents under the direction of the Case Manager. Discussions are supportive, educational, therapeutic and center around:

• Information and interpretation of the child's treatment program
• Mutual problems affecting families
• The setting of expectations for the youth while at Arrowhead Ranch
• The setting of expectations for the youth upon re-entering the community and family situation or environment

During the initial hour of Sunday visitation, the group and parents sit together in a group. The focus of the group meeting is the resident's progress, and to ask the group to share information about their group members. The purpose of sharing information with others in the group is to prevent the child from withholding information or "fronting" for the parents. The value of open and honest communication is emphasized. Each group member (including parents) is taught to show care and concern for each group member.

After visiting with the group for approximately one hour, the parents go into the parent group meetings. The setting of this meeting is similar to the resident's meeting. Each parent shares with the group feedback on problem areas and progress. The next step is to problem solve. A parent might have an area of conflict with the program that needs to be worked out, or the parents may need help in understanding particular behavior of their child and will seek guidance in how to better deal with the behavior. Parents are encouraged to talk about concerns they have.

The role of the Case Manager is the same as in the resident's group meeting, to lead the parents into problem solving and to see that helpful and meaningful discussions take place. The Case Manager also informs the parents of the group's and their child's progress. During the meeting, the parents, under the direction of the Case Manager, place expectations on the group and discuss areas the group needs to work on. After the meeting, parents return to visit with groups and share the treatment or expectations they have.

Home visits are normally granted during the period between a resident's group release and anticipated discharge. However, there are times when home visits are arranged to better transition youth back to their environments prior to their group releases. Home visits are designed to help the youth return home more smoothly.

Family visits are scheduled the remaining Sundays of each month between 12:00 noon and 4:00 p.m. Parent/group sessions are not scheduled during these visitation Sundays. Arrowhead staff will supervise the visitations. Family visits during non-parent/group visitations will take place on-grounds, unless the child's progress warrants a home visit.

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