RYS's Home-Based Services program is designed to reach families whose children are at risk of removal by the courts, are involved in juvenile probation, or are children in need of services (CHINS). Children are identified as CHINS when they are victims of alleged or substantiated abuse or neglect. Family case managers from county Departments of Child Services (DCS) and probation officers from Juvenile Probation make the referral for home-based services when they perceive that the child and family may benefit from intensive, in-home intervention. Services are utilized to stabilize the home environment and prevent the removal of children. This remains the primary goal of RYS's Home-Based Services program. RYS also has intervened in situations involving truancy, chaotic family systems, youth with status offenses, neglect, delinquency, and parents in need of additional parenting skills and support.

Home Based Services Benefits

The intake coordinator contacts the referral source and family within 72 hours of receiving the referral to schedule the initial assessment.

After admission into the program, each family is provided with a Home-Based Services case coordinator, who will assist them in developing and carrying out a treatment plan that may include accessing area resources.

All services are goal-oriented with specific objectives tailored to clients and their family members.

RYS staff members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Case loads are driven by the needs of the client. Case coordinators work with no more than 10 clients. Case loads are smaller when the clients need more intensive services.

Interventions are intensive--three to five hours per week as needed.

Services are usually short-term--six months followed by support services. The county may extend the duration of services if this is deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the client and family.

Services are delivered in the family's home and community by the same case coordinator, maintaining a sense of familiarity and comfort for all involved.

RYS provides therapeutic services in the home through a master's-level therapist who addresses clinical issues with the client and family, tailoring services to their individual needs.

RYS recognizes the importance of interaction between families and communities and helps families forge those links.

Case coordinators focus on teaching skills to better equip individuals and families to maintain a momentum of growth. RYS recognizes that long-term changes are driven and maintained by the client and family who are invested in the outcome. Therefore, services are client and family-oriented and driven.

RYS provides a weekly psychoeducational group for youth. The group is designed around asset and skills-building as well as opportunities for connections with the conmmunity. RYS provides additional groups based on the needs of clients. The groups may include, but are not limited to the following parenting groups: Female empowerment group, teenage parent group, tutorial study skills group and anger management group.

Program Activities

Assessment
Each child is interviewed using a psychosocial assessment tool that reviews the background of the client and helps determine the client's and family's appropriateness for Home-Based Services assistance.

Individualized Treatment Planning
RYS's Home-Based Services team develops a treatment plan to address specific areas of concern.

Monthly Reports
These reports detail the progress and/or changes in school, employment, family involvement, and therapy. Such reports facilitate communication among RYS, the referral source, and the court system.

Support Services
Home-Based Services helps the client gain access to community services and provides access to in-home therapeutic services.

Educational Materials
Case coordinators follow a treatment plan to facilitate changes that are needed in the home environment. They also provide necessary materials for the family members' learning and growth.

24/7 Commitment
RYS case coordinators are on call during the workday, after hours, and on weekends to cover all emergencies.

Therapy/Counseling Services
Therapy and counseling sessions are available to families on an as-needed basis.

Reunification Services
RYS provides transition services to clients returning to the home from an out-of-home placement, including foster care and residential placements.