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Acceptable Client Risk Behaviors
Unacceptable
Criteria
Acceptable
Client Risk Behavior
The following list of acceptable client risk behaviors
should be used to determine if Cunningham Children's
Home is an appropriate placement for a youth ready for
a supervised independent living program based on his/her
clinical history. Cunningham intake staff members will
complete an assessment prior to the youth being admitted,
which will include a thorough review of written materials
and interviews with referring agencies, the potential
client and his/her parent(s).
Goal of Permanent Independence
- Family-related functioning will not impair client's
ability to seek gainful employment, continue educational
goals or live successfully in an apartment or living
situation.
Educational Direction and
Goals
- Youth must either have completed high school with
a diploma, earned a GED, be enrolled in high school,
or be able to work toward completion of GED education
through an alternative school program.
Demonstrate Day to Day Independence
- Youth entering the ILO/TLP program must be able
to function independently of regular adult supervision
with sufficient impulse control and the ability to
manage their daily activities, employment, education
and social interaction.
- Youth on long term medication must be able to safely
monitor their medical condition and take medications
as prescribed and keep them in their possession.
Additional Information
- Cunningham Children's Home understands that many
youth entering independent living programs have given
up on their educational plan. The staff in Cunningham's
SILP program will provide support, guidance and direction
to help these youth reestablish an educational program
and goal. Depending on the youth, the educational
program may include obtaining a GED or pursuing alternate
educational settings or vocational opportunities.
- In addition, youth entering the SILP program may
arrive without a prior work history or marketable
skills. Cunningham staff members will help the youth
move into entry level work. If a youth comes to Cunningham
with a background of criminal and/or oppositional
behavior and/or unresolved emotional issues, the professional
staff in SILP will link them to relevant services
within the community to assist them as they develop
in their independence.
Unacceptable
Criteria
Youth who exhibit the following specific physical, mental,
developmental or functional impairments (emotional and
behavioral problems) would not be effectively served
in the Supervised Independent Living Program at Cunningham
Children's Home:
- Young women who require a transitional living program
(TLP).
- Youth who are sexually aggressive patterned, problematic
or traumatic reactive (formerly known as SACY plan)
and require 24-hour supervision or limitations on
their employment or community functioning.
- Youth who have psychiatric care and psychotropic
medication needs that require the dispensing or medication
on a daily basis.
- Youth who have severe drug or alcohol issues which
require residential treatment.
- Youth who are at risk of harm to themselves or
others as demonstrated by recent or repeated suicidal
behavior, self-injurious behavior, aggressive behavior
or other clinical indicators.
- Youth who require daily, 24-hour supervision to
ensure safety.
- Youth who have been placed outside the IDCFS central
region and are at a distance from their only sources
of social support.
- Youth who have an IQ score below 70 and are unable
to be employed due to cognitive deficits.
- Youth who have a conviction of arson or recent
fire setting behavior.
- Youth who have a recent history of psychosis or
other psychiatric disturbance which would compromise
their ability to live in an independent apartment
setting.
- Youth who due to emotional disturbance or physical
disability lack a basic self-care skill which would
compromise their ability to live independently (i.e.
encopresis, eating disorder, other self-care related
issues).
For more information about Independent Living Opportunities
program admissions, contact the Intake/Admissions Coordinator
at 217/367-3728.
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