Steven`s Story President`s Letter

FamilySolutions
Providing mental health services for children & families
Formerly SOCSTC & Family Friends
Steven’s Story
President’s Letter
A
t eight years old, Steven was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Because he had
been removed from his parents’ home, his grandparents served as his legal guardians. He was referred to Family Solutions for treatment after his behavioral outbursts
earned him multiple suspensions from public school. Emotionally out of balance,
I
want to take this opportunity to wish all of you
happy holidays! As I reflect on 2011, I realize how
much we have to be grateful for this year.
We have a new name—Family Solutions! This
Steven had difficulty interacting with other children. It was hard for him to overcome
name reflects the successful merging of Family
his shyness and engage in conversation with kids he didn’t know. Sometimes the
Friends in Josephine County and Southern Oregon
other kids mocked Steven, and he got angry and acted out by yelling or hitting. He
Child Study and Treatment Center (SOCSTC) in
didn’t know how to manage his intense emotions.
Jackson County. We want our name to convey our
After extensive outpatient therapy from our master’s level therapists as well as
commitment to helping families find solutions dur-
wraparound services for him and his family, Steven was referred to our Intensive
ing times of emotional challenges or when they are
Community Treatment & Support (ICTS) Program. Now 10 years old, he was paired
in need of mental health services and treatment.
with Sarah, one of our skills trainers. She worked with Steven in his home and at
The Boys Residential Home has a new classroom
school. On the playground during recess, Sarah encouraged him to initiate conversa-
(see article, page 4), thanks to the 2010–2011 Med-
tions with the other kids. She mod-
ford Chamber Leadership Team! We are so thankful
eled how to engage in conversation,
Intensive Community
Treatment & Support
for the work of a small army of community mem-
F
environment for our boys. We are delighted to
alized community-based services for
On a personal note, I remain deeply grateful to
more comfortable interacting with his
children, youths, and their families as
Family Solutions for providing support to my family
peers. He also developed confidence
an extension of our outpatient pro-
and me. Without Therapeutic Day Treatment and
and self-esteem with his improved
gram. An alternative to higher levels
Education, there would be no place for my autistic
social skills.
of care like Psychiatric Day Treatment,
son. Thanks to the dedicated therapists, teachers,
ICTS offers services such as group and
skills trainers, case workers, and other Family Solu-
velop his skills, Sarah taught him how
individual skills training; mentoring;
tions staff, special needs children like my son have
to control his emotions. She demon-
tutoring in the home, community, and
a place to learn, develop skills, and thrive.
strated anger management strategies
schools; and respite care.
coaching Steven to look for and talk
about the interests, activities, and
hobbies he had in common with them.
Steven gradually overcame his fear
and anxiety, and he started feeling
In addition to helping Steven de-
amily Solutions provides individu-
bers who joined forces with the Chamber Leadership Team to completely transform the educational
report they are thriving in their new classroom.
We cannot do this work alone, and we need
and techniques for coping with stress.
your help! Please take a moment to fill out the en-
Sarah showed him how to use deep-breathing exercises to get his anger under con-
closed form and help support the hurting families
trol more quickly. Steven also learned how to remove himself from potentially difficult
in our community. Just $100 a month will help us
situations when triggered. These actions included taking space, performing sensory
provide therapy for a child in need. Whatever the
integration exercises, and verbalizing his frustrations. This helped Steven realize that
size of your gift, we thank you for your kindness!
just talking about a problem can help resolve it. Continues on page 2 …
—Bridgette Bajraszewski
Family Solutions Mission Statement
With the highest ethical and professional standards, Family Solutions provides a continuum
of community-based mental health services for children, youths, and their families.
Steven’s Story
Continued from page 1 …
To inspire Steven to practice his new skills, his grandma got him a new
dog. Steven was elated. He’d never had a dog in his home before, let
was now teaching positive social skills. Showing his dog how to behave
properly was exactly the reinforcement Steven needed to understand
how to manage his own behavior. This, too, boosted his self-esteem.
Over the past six months, with the help of individual therapy and the
alone a dog of his very own. Grandma and Steven enrolled in a dog
rest of the treatment team, Steven has continued to improve consider-
training class (or “People Training Class,” as their teacher called it) that
ably. He is more confident, socially engaged, and capable of managing
had been arranged by Sarah. Both Steven and his grandma learned
intense emotions. Steven now maintains independently in public school
how to teach the dog to behave safely and follow directions. Stephen
and is on track to attend middle school. k
Protective Parenting
The parenting classes
T
taught Jack how to man-
Protective Parenting Group
he story is tragic but familiar: the mom and dad succumb to drug
age his own reactions to
addiction, the dad lands in prison, and the mom, still using, winds up
the boys’ outbursts and
homeless. Where does that leave their middle-school–aged boys, Jake
better handle conflict.
T
and John? In the loving hands of their grandparents, Jack and Julie, who
It helped for him to talk
parents or guardians whose child may
gladly stepped up to parent their grandchildren.
with other parents, who
have been sexually abused.
Child Welfare referred the grandparents to the Family Solutions Protective Parenting Class in Grants Pass because the boys needed special
care, having been traumatized by family disruption, parental neglect,
and abuse. Jack and Julie were happy to attend the class.
“When you haven’t raised kids for over 15 years, you forget what it’s
like,” says Jack. “I figured I needed a refresher, and boy was I right.
These classes are good for ANY PARENT or guardian, not just people
who have had challenges or kids with behavioral issues.”
Children who have been exposed to adult abuse and neglect often
he Protective Parenting Group pro-
vides psycho-education and support to
suggested strategies that
worked when they had faced similar difficulties.
Jack learned to separate the boys when they start fighting. They
quickly realized they prefer being with each other without fighting to
being alone in separate rooms. “In the past, I might’ve hollered at them
to quit fighting,” says Jack. “Now I know a better way.”
The grandparents learned how to provide developmentally appropriate expectations that reduce the level of stress for everyone in the
household. Their understanding of abuse dynamics has helped them be
manifest exceptional behavioral challenges that require a specific par-
more present for Jake and John. Most importantly, they learned not to
enting approach. Standard parenting strategies can easily backfire and
take the boys’ behaviors personally.
may even make the child worse. Severely traumatized, the boys were
The house rule is to give the kids an hour after school to play outside
regressed in home, school, and community functioning. Neither was
or to play a video game, but then it’s time to do homework. One eve-
involved in extracurricular activities. After the boys relaxed into a more
ning, after telling Jake to pause the video game until after homework, it
stable routine, Jack enrolled his younger grandson, John, in soccer.
was still on 15 minutes later. Jack was about to tell Jake to stop the game
“You should see his face light up when he kicks that ball into the net!”
Jack says proudly. “But it hasn’t all been easy. When the boys first got
here, they were scared and nervous. Trust was a big issue. Sometimes
they had extreme reactions to our rules.”
when Jake told him, “I think you need to take the Nintendo out of my
room, Papa. I just can’t focus knowing that game is waiting for me.”
“Jake didn’t ask to have it back until school was out for the summer,”
says Jack. “I’m pretty sure these boys will turn out just fine. And if I run
into any more challenges, I can call my friends at Family Solutions!” k
2
FamilySolutions
Providing mental health services for children & families
Family Solutions Programs
F
amily Solutions provides a continuum of children’s mental health
services ranging from early intervention to intensive residential treatment. Our overall philosophy is based on the value of preserving
individual and family integrity by helping children and families build
on their innate strengths. We empower participants by guiding them
through the process of identifying and implementing solutions to their
problems. Family Solutions strives to meet the special needs of children
and youths in our care in the least-restrictive setting possible.
Intensive Community Treatment & Support (ICTS)
F
amily Solutions provides individualized community-based services
for children, youths, and their families as an extension of our Outpatient
Program. An alternative to higher levels of care such as Psychiatric Day
Treatment, ICTS offers group and individual skills training; mentoring;
tutoring in the home, community, and schools; and respite care.
Supervised Visitation Services: Family Sense
T
he Family Sense Program in Grants Pass offers supervised visitation
Outpatient Therapy
and custody exchanges in a safe and comfortable child-friendly envi-
T
ronment. These services help preserve the parent-child relationship
while the child is in foster care as parents participate in court-ordered
vidual, group, and family therapy; skills-building; and parent training.
Psychiatric Day Treatment
he Outpatient Therapy Program primarily works with children and
youths with emotional and behavioral issues. Services include indiOur Jackson County program has offices in Medford and Ashland. In
addition to providing the services listed above, our Grants Pass office
in Josephine County specializes in treating victims of abuse as well as
serving adult clients.
services or when families are going through separation or divorce.
P
sychiatric Day Treatment is an intensive five-day-per-week program
for children with severe emotional and behavioral issues. With sites
in Ashland, Gold Hill, and Grants Pass, the program offers individual,
School-Based Counseling
group, and family therapy; regular and special education services; and
W
tive to residential care, allowing the child to remain at home during
e contract with several school districts to offer on-site counseling
and support for at-risk students and their families. Counselors work
as part of the educational team in participating schools. This service is
available primarily in Jackson County.
Therapeutic Foster Care
O
ur Therapeutic Foster Care Program provides individualized
community-based treatment for children and youths with severe
emotional and behavioral issues (through age 18). Children and foster
parents are carefully matched, one to two children per home. Children
receive individual, group, and family therapy; skills training; mentoring;
and other personalized services in Jackson and Josephine Counties. We
milieu therapy. Family Solutions Day Treatment provides an alternaintensive treatment. The average length of stay is 12 months, after which
most children successfully transition back to their regular school. Our
three-day treatment programs are located in Ashland (ages 5–12), Gold
Hill (ages 11–15), and Grants Pass (ages 3–12).
Community-Based Residential Treatment
W
e offer Community-Based Residential Treatment for adolescent
girls and boys with severe emotional and behavioral issues. Youths are
involved in milieu therapy in coordination with individual, group, and
family therapy as well as special education. The program serves 18
youths ages 13 to 18 in two group homes. k
also offer respite care.
Winter 2011
3
New Classroom for Boys Residential Home
H
ow do you think you would feel about school if every time class
started, you had to drag your desk from the front porch to a make-
adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. The boys partici-
shift classroom? And then when class ended, you’d have to haul your
pate in milieu therapy coordinated with special education classes and
desk right back outside, regardless of the weather.
individual, group, and family therapy.
That’s what the students at our Boys Community-Based Residential
The Chamber Leadership Team started by brainstorming ideas
Home had to do every day—until this spring. Thanks to the Medford
about how to build a new classroom for the Boys Home. They looked
Chamber of Commerce, the boys now have a new classroom, and
at options ranging from adding a new room to the existing home to
they can focus on learning instead of moving furniture.
constructing a separate building on the property. The problem was
Each year, the Chamber forms a new leadership team, which then
solved when Asante, which owned office space adjacent to the Boys
chooses a special project to focus on as they hone their leadership
Home, offered one of their offices as a site for the new classroom. Over
skills. For 2010–2011, the Leadership Team considered proposals
$25,000 in cash and another $80,000 worth of labor and materials
from several Medford nonprofits. After Brian Casey’s compelling
were donated for the project, which converted the 800-square-foot of-
presentation, they selected the Family Solutions Classroom Project
fice space into an inspiring classroom for the boys, equipped with new
for the Boys Residential Home.
desks and state-of-the-art computer stations. Each Boys Home resident
Leadership Team member Julie Brimble felt the Boys Home class-
4
The Boys Home offers community-based residential treatment for
also received a new backpack containing essential school supplies.
room was an ideal choice because of the impact they could have on
The boys are thrilled with their new space, and every day, they look
young lives. “They do so much for these kids,” Brimble says of Family
forward to learning in a contemporary classroom that’s just a short walk
Solutions. “But they just go quietly about their work, flying just under
from their home. No more dragging desks back and forth—and their
the radar.”
living room no longer has to double as a classroom! k
FamilySolutions
Providing mental health services for children & families
Thank You, Boys Group Home Classroom Sponsors!
F
Avista Utilities
Lisa Griffith
Bank of America
Grocery Outlet
Chamber Leadership Team and the generous
Deborah Dill
Donald Gundrey
sponsors who helped build a new classroom
Ed’s Tire Factory
Gordon & Julie Hale
for the boys at Family Solutions!
Erickson Air-Crane, Inc.
Tricia Hoffman
Foster Denman, LLP
Kathleen Hollenbach
Superintendent Sponsorship: $5,000+
Michelle Hollendack
Justin Hurley
Adroit Construction Company
Hornecker Cowling Hassen & Heysell
Huycke, O’Connor, Jaris & Lohman
Asante Health System
Providence Medford Medical Center
Michelle Isonio
Interior Office Concepts
Katheryn I. Kennedy
Cathy Justice
Pacific Electrical
Richard & Kristy Painter
Tricia King
TVA Architects
Rogue Valley Sewer Services
Jeff Lang
Shaw Asset Management, Inc.
Michael Lavender
Sherm’s Thunderbird & Food 4 Less
Stacia Lemaster
Southern Oregon Cardiology
Candace Manary
Advanced Air and Metal
Southern Oregon Subway, Inc.
Michelle Maupin-Cornelius
Belfor Environmental
Curtis Tyerman, DMD, P.C.
Zoe McNevin
CenturyLink
United Risk Solutions
Medford Fabrication
Color Tile
Valley Web Printing
Joanne Meyers
Hunter Douglas Catalina
Vista Building Services, Inc.
Pam Mooers
amily Solutions salutes the 2010–2011
Administrator Sponsorship:
$1,000 to $4,999
Jackson County School Superintendents
Richard & Raylene Moore
Massey Interior Construction
Teacher Sponsorship: Up to $250
Pacwest Plumbing
Nora Anderson
Moss Adams, LLP
PremierWest Bank
Answer Page
Doris Moyer
Rogue Federal Credit Union
Pattie Baker
Charlie Baffett
Dorthy Bayliss
Marlene Nelson
Marc Bayliss
Charles Perston
AA Insulation
Ben Bergreen
People’s Bank of Commerce
Ashland Lumber
Georgia Bigelow
Scott Perry
Bell Hardware
Marsha Billeci
Tom Pepple
CVISO Management Company
Valerie Blade
Bambi Powers
City of Central Point
Fred & Judy Bockstahler
Lucille Pylkki
Edge Construction Supply
Patrick & Jill-Marie Borovansky
David Rayburn
Farmers Building Supply
Judith Brown
Christine Reiling
GMX Environmental
Katherine Bryon
Cynda Rickert
Glidden Professional Paints
Ralph Burrelle
S. Roberta Ross
Grange Co-op
Bob & Chris Calkins
Susie Schoonover
Hess Mechanical
Cataract & Laser Institute
James & Janice Servoss
ICWUSA.com, Inc.
Teresa Cavalli
William & Shawna Sloan
Jefferson State Pumping
Jason & Erin Cimfl
Patricia Smullin
Kohl’s
Brenda Cirillo
Southern Oregon Subaru, Volvo, Mitsubishi
Medford Medical Clinic
Brenda Cowden
Michelle Strickland
Rotary Club of Central Point
Debra Cox
Patricia Surowski
South Valley Bank & Trust
Alice Cushman
Gene & Deborah Taylor
Southern Oregon Credit Services
Sandy Darland
Wayne & Barbara Thompson
Rick Stevens
Margaret Dials
Kathy Trautman
US Bank
Connie Diemer
Harry Vanikiotis
Vista Building Services
Lenda & Randy Eek
Billie Walker
Pamela Wilmoth, Interior Designer
Margaret Herron Garner
Carol White
Marcia Gierloff
Timothy Wilson
Jill Golden
Carrie Winner
America’s Best Kids
Joyce Golden
Joann Van Wormer
Ashland Springs Hotel
Randal Gravon
Jane Turnbull Wray
Principal Sponsorship: $500 to $999
Professor Sponsorship: $250 to $500
Winter 2011
Douglas Morse
5
From the Director
I
• Family Sense supervised 3,400 visits to more than 300 families,
n fall 2008, Family Friends and South-
ern Oregon Child Study & Treatment
Center (SOCSTC) began exploring
the idea of combining our organizations. We embarked on a 15-month
partnership that culminated in officially
becoming one agency in January 2010.
Together, we offer over 60 years of
experience providing mental health
services to children, youths, and their
families. Our new name, Family Solutions, reflects our commitment
to preserving individual and family integrity by helping children and
families build on their innate strengths. Family Solutions empowers
keeping children safe while maintaining the parent-child relationship.
• The Intensive Community Treatment and Support (ICTS) Program
provided more than 30 families with individualized skills training,
tutoring, and support services.
• The Psychiatric Day Treatment Program served a total of 69 children
and their families—30 in Josephine County and 39 in Jackson County.
• Our Therapeutic Foster Care Program provided therapeutic foster
care coordinated with individual and family therapy, skills training,
and mentoring for 32 children and youths.
• Our Community-Based Residential Homes served a total of 24 youths
in a structured group setting in coordination with individual and family therapy, skills training, and special education.
Funding from contracts and state and local grants does not come
participants by guiding them through the process of identifying and
close to covering our costs. Winterfest fundraising, individual donors,
implementing solutions to their problems.
and foundation grants make it possible for Family Solutions to maintain
We are excited about our expanded range of services and increased
ability to offer high-quality programs throughout Jackson and Josephine
crucial services for hundreds of Rogue Valley families.
These are difficult times for many Oregon families, and they are par-
Counties. During the past year, Family Solutions has served more than
ticularly hard on those experiencing family disruption, emotional and
1,600 children, youths, and families through the following programs:
behavioral problems, or abuse and neglect.
• Our Outpatient Program served 412 families in Jackson County and
Now, more than ever, we need your assistance to continue serving the
371 in Josephine County, offering individual, group, and family coun-
most vulnerable families in our community. We thank you for your past
seling to a total of 783 families.
generosity and continued support of Family Solutions.
• Our School-Based Counseling Program served 362 students in Jackson County schools.
6
—Tom Gunderson, LCSW
FamilySolutions
Providing mental health services for children & families
Sources and Uses of Funds
Thank you for your vital role in supporting the many
children & families who rely on Family Solutions programs!
2010–2011 FY
Revenue $5,313,579
Service Fees
2%
Donations & Grants
3%
Family Solutions Board
Bridgette Bajraszewski, President
Community Volunteer, Medford
David Smith, Immediate Past President
Community Volunteer, Grants Pass
Mary Lou Gross
Realtor, Ashland
Diana Hamilton
District Attorney’s Office, Gold Hill
Phyllis McGill
Retired Teacher, Grants Pass
Contracts
95%
Janet Monti
Branch Manager, Southern Oregon
Federal Credit Union
Rick Mould
Retired School Administrator, Medford
Midge Renton
Expenses $5,322,249
Administration
10%
Retired School Administrator, Grants Pass
Barbara Sniffen
Pediatrician, Grants Pass
Shirley Taylor
RN, Providence Medford Medical Center
Residential/
Foster Care
36%
Day Treatment
27%
Outpatient
27%
Newsletter Production
Special thanks to Rory Noice Finney for
donating photography services. Photos
of all subjects (except Tom Gunderson)
by Rory N. Finney (viewrfp.com).
Design & Editing by Michaels & Michaels
Creative, LLC (michaelsandmichaels.com).
All client names have been changed to
protect their anonymity.
Winter 2011
7
FamilySolutions
1836 Fremont St.
Ashland, OR 97520
NON PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
POSTAGE PAID
Providing mental health services for children & families
PERMIT #348
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down. Thank you!
Phone: 541.482.5792
Email: info@familysolutionsoregon.org
Finding a Way In
T
welve-year-old Amber was referred to our Day Treatment Program
“What are you listening to, Amber?” he asked. Amber had been
because of her depression, impulsivity, and attention difficulties. She
singing along to “This Is Me,” which is about a young girl allowing
exhibited a number of self-destructive behaviors, poor hygiene, and
others to see the greatness in her. Amber shared that she had a deep
school refusal. Her angry outbursts prevented her from attending
love for music and singing, saying she felt very connected with the
public school.
message of the song.
During her year in Day Treatment, she made significant improve-
A music-lover himself, Andrew got an idea. He suggested that
ments, but her therapist, Andrew, felt he had not really gotten
together they rewrite the lyrics of the song to focus on Amber’s
through to her. After completing the Day Treatment Program, Amber
strengths. They made a list of all of the things she does well, like sing-
returned to public school and continued to receive therapy from
ing, memorizing lyrics, creating art, and learning quickly. Together,
Andrew as well as skills training from Family Solutions staff.
they sang “This Is Me,” tailor-made for Amber.
One day, Amber came to a session with Andrew, an earbud still
Andrew had found a positive way of connecting with Amber, help-
dangling from her ear while she listened to her iPod. Normally such
ing her shift from self-defeating behaviors to a deeper form of self-
devices are discouraged during school or therapy sessions, but An-
confidence. She began paying attention to her hygiene and dress,
drew noticed Amber was singing to herself, and she looked happier
and she stopped her self-mutilating behaviors. Amber blossomed.
than he had ever seen her. She was radiant. Andrew quietly waited
She graduated from the ICTS Program and returned to public school
until the song was over and she had placed the iPod in her backpack.
this past fall. k