Helping Children and their Families in Maricopa County

GOALS OF OUR PROGRAMS
Our goals are to identify the strengths of each client/consumer so that they can live independently and become productive members of the community. The clients/consumers shall be required to attend groups and group activities. The groups shall be related to their service plan (treatment plan) goals and the clients/consumers will also be asked to identify areas where they see a need for improvement.

PROGRAMS
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Therapeutic Group Homes
• Child Sexual Development and Learning Program
• GOSL, Inc. Programs of After-Care Services
• Coordination with RBHA
• Continuity of Services

Independent Living Skills Training
Clients/consumers age 16 and older and those with the cognitive and emotional development shall provide specialized groups to impart skills to assist them in becoming successful members of the community. GSL, Inc. recognizes the importance of building up each client/consumer’s potential. The program is designed to support and impart proven skills that will be needed in the future. At the completion of the program of study, GSL, Inc. shall issue a “Certificate of Completion” to the client/consumer.

• GOAL: The goal of the program groups is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each client/consumer, and to build upon those to help them become productive members of the community. Each client/consumer shall identify areas where they can improve and shall be assisted to develop a plan to achieve those goals.

• SPECIFIC GROUPS: The Clinical Director or Designee shall be trained to facilitate and teach each level of specialized group. The client/consumer must attend all groups and group activities. The content of the groups shall include but not be limited to:
-Personal grooming
-Goal setting.
-Relationship and interpersonal skill building.
-Physical health and sexual development.
-Life skills such as, acquiring a place to live, retail and food shopping, use of the transit system, career planning and the use of community resources.

• GROUP ACTIVITIES: The activities for the groups vary from group to group. The most current teaching materials are used. The use of text books, group discussions, community speakers and resources, and field trips are some of the modems used for the groups.

• GROUP TIME: The client/consumers shall attend and participate in all scheduled groups. Each group shall last approximately one hour. The groups are conducted at least three (3) times each week. Groups may also be held on weekends and holidays.

• STAFF: The team is made up of the Program Director, Clinical Director, Manager of direct service employees, and the direct line staff. All staff members facilitating the groups shall be educated to provide the clients/consumers with quality education.

• FACILITATOR EVALUATION: The facilitator(s) of these groups shall be evaluated upon completion of the course of study by observation and or survey completed by the clients/consumers. They shall also be evaluated by a member of the clinical team.

• CLIENT/CONSUMER EVALUATION: The client/consumer shall also complete an evaluation every ninety days and upon discharge from the program. The evaluation shall be reviewed by the Clinical Director or Designee to assess for recommendations for improvement in the program.

• OUTCOME: GLS, Inc. shall provide a supportive environment to assist each client/consumer to be successful in the future. The groups are selective to give residents the skills needed to live in a healthy home environment or as independent young adults.

• EVALUATION: GSL, Inc. uses a model of “Continuous Improvement” via feedback by the clients/consumers, staff, and the continued training provided for the employees. Adjustments are made by the Program Director and the professional management team to ensure the changes are sound and in the best interest of the clients/consumers. The client/consumer shall complete a survey at the time of discharge.

Therapeutic Group Homes

Residential treatment services are provided for males and females, ages 10-17. Through community integration, individual, group and family therapy, vocational training and independent living skills development, our therapeutic group homes offer a safe, structured, time-limited alternative to living in the home.
Parents & Families
Parents and families are provided with access to services that "wrap-around" children in need so that they may remain in the family home while trained staff support change to increase safety and quality of life of the individual and family.
Community
Community resources and supports are accessed whenever possible to provide natural pathways to assistance for families with ongoing needs.
Therapeutic Crisis Stabilization
Our behavioral health staff is trained in crisis intervention and client de-escalation techniques. They can assist families in recognizing and mitigating the triggers and behaviors that precede a crisis in order to change destructive patterns and prevent future crises.
Art Therapy
Our Art Therapist works with clients individually, in groups and with families to help express difficult emotions or communicate information about traumatic times of life visually as an alternative to verbal therapy alone. The act of creating art can provide healing and release as well as insight into how we think and feel.
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment approaches are utilized to help children and families understand the thoughts, behaviors and emotions that contribute to unhealthy and painful ways of living. Behaviors are changed incrementally by reinforcing or supporting positive, adaptive behaviors and extinguishing negative, maladaptive behaviors.
Individual Therapy
In individual therapy, thoughts, feelings and behaviors are explored and processed in order to alleviate pain, change behaviors and increase quality of life.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist and family work together in face-to-face interactions to create emotional and behavioral changes and to improve communication and understanding.
Independent Living Skills
Our staff provides support to young adults as they encounter "real life" situations in which they learn and employ the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to live self-sufficiently.
Youth-at-Risk
We specialize in helping children and adolescents faced with numerous risk factors that impact healthy development. Risk factors can be related to environment, peer group and bullying, trauma, grief and loss, alcohol or drug use, heredity, learning attitudes, involvement in the justice system, poverty or many other issues.
Anger Management
We assist clients in becoming aware of situations that trigger anger, decrease the intensity of angry feelings, and control their reactions to anger.
Behavior Modification
GOSL staff implements and supports a behavior modification program that positively reinforces healthy and adaptive behaviors and reduces or eliminates negative, maladaptive behaviors through the use of a token economy which has the added benefit of teaching clients about banking and balancing a checkbook.
Substance Abuse Education
Adolescents are educated about the dangers of drug abuse, skills to deal effectively with peer pressure, frustration tolerance, relapse prevention, and dynamics that lead to substance abuse.
Vocational Training/ Career Development
Career Development services are provided to our clients in order to discover the work choices suited to their interests, abilities, and personality. When a client obtains a job, positive work habits are modeled and reinforced by our staff.
Health & Fitness
Our staff helps clients to become aware of community resources that offer fitness activities and facilities such as the local Boys and Girls Club. We also assist clients in becoming aware of the recreational opportunities as well as potential dangers of our Arizona desert environment.
Behavior Coaching
Our Behavior coaches assist the child and family by identifying strengths and needs, providing supports, teaching critical skills and partnering with the Child and Family Team (CFT) in order to increase quality of life.

Child Sexual Development and Learning Program
GOSL, Inc. shall recognize the importance of young men and women understanding and taking responsibility in demonstrating socially appropriate sexual behaviors and or interactions. The clients/consumers twelve (12) and older (if approved by their case manager) shall be provided with a specialized group regarding sexual education.

GOAL: The goal of the program is to give the clients/consumers information to assist them in making informed decisions to maintain a healthy life style now and in the future.
SPECIFIC GROUPS: The Clinical Director or Designee shall be trained to facilitate and teach each level of specialized group. The client/consumer must attend all groups and group activities. The content of the groups shall include but not be limited to: -Issues surrounding personal responsibility.
-Body awareness.
-Relationships and dating issues.
-Birth Control.
-Sexually transmitted disease prevention.
-Inter-personal communication.
-Personal goal setting.
-Life planning.

Child Sexual Development and Learning Program

GROUP ACTIVITIES: The clients/consumers shall be given information via written form, books pamphlets, group discussion, speakers and audio or visual materials.

STAFF: The team is made up of the Program Director, Clinical Director, Manager of direct service employees, and the direct line staff. All staff members facilitating the groups shall be educated to provide the clients/consumers with quality education.
FACILITATOR EVALUATION: The facilitator(s) of these groups shall be evaluated upon completion of the course of study by observation and or survey completed by the clients/consumers. They shall also be evaluated by a member of the management team.
CLIENT/CONSUMER EVALUATION: The client/consumer shall also complete an evaluation every ninety days and upon discharge from the program. The evaluation shall be reviewed by the Clinical Director or Designee to assess for recommendations for improvement in the program.
OUTCOME: GSL, Inc. shall provide a supportive environment to assist each client/consumer avoid poor choices leading vs. positive decision making leading to the prevention on unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
EVALUATION: GSL, Inc. uses a model of “Continuous Improvement” via feedback by the clients/consumers, staff, and the continued training provided for the employees. Adjustments are made by the Program Director and the professional management team to ensure the changes are sound and in the best interest of the clients/consumers. The client/consumer shall complete a survey at the time of discharge.

GSL, INC. PROGRAM OF AFTER-CARE SERVICES
This agency shall provide limited “Aftercare Services” for the client/consumer’s use to ease transition into family reunification or independent living. Upon the discharge of the client/consumer, the Program Director or Designee shall assess the needs of the client/consumer to facilitate successful transition into the new placement.

This agency shall work with the client/consumer’s DES case manager and service team (treatment team) in the transitioning of the client/consumer to the future placement by ensuring all documents, educational records, medications, medical and psychiatric treatments are current, and all contents of the client/consumers placement packet is available for the receiving provider or family.

This agency shall contact the DES Representative thirty (30) days after the discharge to follow up with any further needs.

COORDINATION WITH RBHA
This agency shall comply with the RHBA’s guidelines, requests and expectations, as communicated by the DES and RHBA contracts. This agency shall cooperate with the annual or scheduled review of the client/consumer’s cases. This agency shall comply and support the plan of those identified clients/consumers.

CONTINUITY OF SERVICES
This agency is committed to encourage the “Continuity of Services” for the clients/consumers. The continuity is vital in facilitating the stabilization of the client/consumer.

Client/Consumer's Needs that are to be met by the Agency

Health Needs: As identified during the physical examination conducted prior to admission or one done after the client/consumer was admitted. The agency shall assist the client/consumer with the needed medication or health program as ordered by the health care professional.

Hair and Skin Needs: The client/consumer’s needs shall be assessed by the designated staff member for possible hair or skin care needs. Recommendations for outside services shall be discussed with the client/consumer’s case manager and or treatment team. Needed outside appointments shall be facilitated and the client/consumer shall be taken to all appointments.

Dietary Needs: The agency shall have a licensed nutritionist or dietician to assist in the menu planning. The menus shall be prepared at least seven days in advance. Clients/consumers that need special diets shall have needs met.

Religious Needs: The agency shall assist the client/consumer’s in meeting their religious needs as not to interfere with the service plan (treatment plan) or scheduled activities.

Cultural Needs: This agency shall use and develop community resources to encourage and assist the client/consumer to attend cultural events, appropriate groups, educational programs and to continue interaction with other members of their community to promote self esteem and ethnic pride.

Gender Specific Needs: This agency shall provide, supervise and instruct all client/consumer on a one to one basis focusing on healthy and appropriate skin, body and personal hygiene needs.

Annual Evaluation: The Program Director or Designee shall evaluate the areas of cultural diversity and gender sensitivity or other areas that may need a plan of improvement.

Written Policies: This agency shall have written policies and procedures to assist all staff members to maintain a professional and safe environment for the client/consumer.

STAFF REQUIREMENTS:

Employees are trained not to use any form of physical punishment, abusive language, or any other form of non-standard disciplinary methods.

All employees are required to maintain a professional and trained presence at all times.

All employees shall be continually trained and supervised to maintain excellent program standards.

All employees shall maintain order and ensure the safety of the clients/consumers at all times.

Upon admission of a client/consumer to the facility, the employees shall review all admission information, interview the new client/consumer to determine and assist with their needs.

All employees shall be educated on the cultural differences of the clients/consumers by the program director; they shall maintain the highest level of care.