The Choice Program |
Evergreen Children's Services is keeping with the agency's tradition of providing
quality services to difficult populations of youth and families. In collaboration
with the Office of Juvenile Justice and the University of Michigan School of
Social Work, Evergreen has developed a new program to facilitate the smooth transition
of delinquent youth to the community following completion of residential
treatment. The Choice, a community based program, is built upon a Relapse
Prevention model of cognitive behavioral treatment, and provides intensive
therapeutic and reintegration services, as well as offers a variety of placement
options, such as the following: |
Supervised Independent Living: Youth aged 17-20 and unable to return to their families will be placed in Supervised
Independent Living. Youth may be placed in a mentor home prior to moving into
their own apartment depending on the youth's supervision needs. The level of
supervision will gradually decrease based on the youth's progress, demonstration
of responsibility and mastery of independent living skills. The youth will receive
ongoing monitoring and therapeutic services while in Supervised Independent
Living, and will be maintained in this placement through the period of commitment
if possible. |
Treatment Foster Care: Youth aged 13-17, not yet eligible for Independent Living, will be placed in specialized
foster homes. The foster parents are trained to meet the needs of the youth,
while the youth benefits from a stable family environment, and supportive
adult role models. Youth will be maintained in foster care until they return home to their families, are adopted, or become eligible
for independent living. |
In-Home Reintegration: Youth that are able to return to their families will also require services to facilitate
a smooth transition home, and to continue addressing familial issues. Parents
will receive specialized training to help them better meet the needs of
their child, benefit from treatment staff support, and participate in family therapy. |
The Choice Program serves youth in both Wayne and Oakland Counties. The program serves
male and female youth ranging from 12-20, at the time of placement, and continue
to serve placed youth throughout the length of their commitments whenever
possible. The program provides services to youth displaying a wide variety of
issues, but each youth is assessed on a case by case basis to ensure the agency
is able to meet the needs of each youth. Evergreen has developed offender specific
programming for the treatment of sexual offenders, substance abusers, and
female delinquents, but will also accept general population youth. Long-term program goals are to provide a structured community re-entry process with focus on continued treatment and accountability, reduce the possibility of re-offense, and teach youth the skills necessary to become healthy and productive members of our community. |
For a more detailed description of the Choice Program, referral information, or general
questions, please contact Landon Hill or Karen Wolownik at 248-557-5800,
or send an email to lhill@evergreenserv.org or kwolownik@evergreenserv.org |