Casa de Amparo

Casa Expands Services

Mar 01, 2000

I am very pleased to write about a new addition to the staff at Casa along with the establishment of a new program. Penny Stewart, M.Ed. has been hired as the Coordinator and Family Life Educator for the Aftercare Program. Her master's degree is in Family-Life Education from the University of Minnesota and she is also a Ceritifed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.She brings fifteen years experience providing counseling, education, supervision and case management in a variety of settings including Charter Hospital, Wayside Halfway house, and the Hazeldon Foundation. She is a skilled counselor and educator and has had great success using an empowerment model that promotes personal growth and development, goal setting, problem solving, stress management, and practical life skills education. She has a special talent for working with diverse populations and is a strong advocate of connecting families to their communities. Penny will oversee the development, implementation, and management of the new Aftercare Program at the Crisis Center and Child Development Center. She will also supervise and provide direct services within the Family Visitation Program, Parent Education and Support groups as well as practical life skill development with the teens.

Casa has been providing services to children who are leaving Casa to go back home or to a foster home on a limited basis for some time. We are proud to officially launch the Aftercare Program, which will provide much more comprehensive treatment to children, and their families as we expand our services to the community. Services are offered on a case by case basis with the goals and objectives of the services established through collaborative effort between Casa staff, the family and community providers.The Aftercare team will consist of the Family Life Coordinator, therapists and child behavior specialist all of who work in a family-centerd manner. The health and wellbeing of all family members are considered as we construct goals and services for the family that serve to adress the often complex concerns when a child is transitioning home.

The focus of the Aftercare program is to: aid and support the tranisition of children back into their home; teach practical life skills to families (budgeting, parenting skills, health, nutrition, etc.); to ensure treatment recommendations are being maintained, and finally, to link the child and family to appropriate community resources for continued care. These services will last for approximately 6-8 weeks depending on the need.

The Aftercare Program will provide a strong link between Casa and community resources regarding services for families and children. We will offer Parent Education classes and Parent Support Groups at the Casa Crisis Center and the Child Development Center. The program will also provide psycho-educational groups for teens in the folloing areas: Independent Living Skills (ILS), Social Skills(including Communication Skills), Drug and alcohol Abuse and other groups that support the development of practical life skills.

I am very enthusiaxtic about Penny and the Aftercare Program. Both are welcome additions to Casa.

Chris Walsh, Clinical Director