Arc’s Changes Program provides a range of substance services, including prevention, early intervention and outpatient treatment, through several service delivery models.
THE FOCUS IS TO HELP YOUTH AND FAMILIES INCREASE THEIR:
SUBSTANCE AWARENESS
HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES
LIFE SKILLS
INDIVIDUAL COPING STRATEGIES
RESILIENCY
CONNECTION AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY BELONGING
PARENT- YOUTH CONNECTION
What services do we provide?
TARGETED PREVENTION/EARY INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS
SUBSTANCE MISUSE ASSESSMENT
BRIEF COUNSELLING INTERVENTION
INTENSIVE INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT
REFERRAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE SUBSTANCE/MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM OF CARE
SUBSTANCE AWARENESS
AFTERCARE PLANNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
How to access this service?
The Changes Program provides a range of substance services to youth in Middle Schools, High Schools and in the community who are affected by substance use. The program accepts referrals from school staff, youth, parents/caregivers, family, community members and social and health services. Referrals are typically sent directly to the Changes counsellors, but may also come through the Program Director. Changes Counsellors screen and assess needs to determine if the youth requires our short- term Prevention and Early Intervention or Outreach Services
Changes School-Based Prevention and Early Intervention
The Prevention Counsellor provides direct Early Intervention services for individuals identified as low-medium risk. Services are designed to reduce risk of experimentation or problematic substance abuse in youth through individual and group counselling, as well as community education. We aim to enhance protective and resiliency factors and reduce risk factors that contribute to substance misuse among adolescents. Services focus on:
REDUCING PROBLEMATIC SUBSTANCE USE
REDUCING SUBSTANCE USE-RELATED ABSENTEEISM FROM SCHOOL
SUPPORTING YOUTH TO IMPROVE PEER AND FAMILY INTERACTIONS,
SUPPORT YOUTH TO PREVENT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
BUILDING CAPACITY WITHIN SCHOOL STAFF TO USE A PREVENTION AND EDUCATION APPROACH TO SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES.
The School-based outreach substance counsellors provide a continuum of intervention services/counselling, as well as assessment, service planning and referrals as required to meet the needs of youth with low to high risk substance use concerns. Services focus on:
ENCOURAGING YOUTH TO EVALUATE THEIR SUBSTANCE USE/MISUSE, EXAMINE THE ROLE AND IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON THEIR LIVES AND SUPPORT THE YOUTH IN MAKING CHANGES.
PROVIDING EDUCATION ON DRUGS & ALCOHOL, AND ASSIST YOUTH IN DEVELOPING HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES.
SUPPORTING YOUTH TO REDUCE SUBSTANCE USE RELATED ABSENTEEISM FROM SCHOOL.
SUPPORTING YOUTH IN IMPROVING PEER AND FAMILY INTERACTIONS.
REDUCING THE RISK OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CONCURRENT (SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH) CONCERNS.
School and Counsellor Information:
KSS, DR. KNOX, KLO, MBSS, CNB, GMS – KIERA KNELLER
RSS, SMS, RMS, GESS, OKM – GINGER NICKOLI
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOL-BASED PREVENTION PROGRAM IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS – KRISTI FIELD
HOW LONG DOES THE CHANGES PROGRAM WORK WITH YOUTH?
Duration and frequency of service is determined in cooperation with the youth and is based on their substance use and individual needs and goals for service. After the youth completes services, follow up or “booster sessions” can be arranged as needed. If a youth returns for counselling due to a relapse or new concern, the counselor and youth will determine if brief counseling will be sufficient or if a re-admission for treatment services is required.
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