The Transition to Independence Program is a personalized program that aides youth in addressing current needs and goals to successfully move them into independent adulthood. Clients accepted into the program are typically fairly independent and can be alone for a certain length of time without major safety risks. Accepted clients will likely be able to complete many or most of the tasks relating to their daily routine with minimal or no supervision.
Only youth who have been Elk Island Child & Youth Ranch Intensive Program clients will be considered for entry into the program.
The program includes the following life skills training:
- Daily Living Skills
- Housing & Community Resources
- Money Management
- Self-care o Social Development
- Work & Study Skills
Following is a brief description of each program area covered:
- Daily Living Skills includes skill areas used on a daily basis like nutrition, menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, dining decorum, kitchen cleanup & food storage, home management, and home safety
- Housing & Community Resources addresses skill areas needed for a youth to make a positive transition into the community. This domain includes housing, transportation, and community resources. While the Learning Goals included within housing are targeted, it is recognized that some young adults begin transitional living programs as young as age 16, and thus these Learning Goals need to be considered for younger youth as well.
- Money Management focuses on skill areas that help youth make sound financial decisions, both now and in the future. This domain includes beliefs about money, savings, income tax, banking & credit, budgeting/spending plan, and consumer skills.
- Self-care includes skill areas that promote a youth’s healthy physical and emotional development. This domain includes personal hygiene, health, alcohol, drugs & tobacco, and sexuality.
- Social Development focuses on skill areas necessary to relate to others both now and in the future. This domain includes personal development, cultural awareness, communication, and relationships.
- Work & Study Skills addresses skill areas needed to help youth complete their educational programs and pursue careers of interest. This domain includes career planning, employment, decision- making, and study skills.
Phase I
Clients will be assessed using specific SIL tools to determine areas of strength and weakness. Testing will occur on a quarterly basis to determine progression.
- Phase I SIL clients will have daily interaction with staff either by face to face or by a verbal check in.
- SIL staff will have worked with the client while involved in the Intensive Treatment Program and will have a thorough understanding the clients individual strengths and challenges.
- Safety plans will be generated and a harm reduction approach applied to each youth identifying their issues, barriers and struggles.
- 20 hours of staff time per week for SIL goal attainment.
- Clients will live in close to proximity to Ranch SIL staff.
- Individual training/support available on an as needed basis.
- Individual therapy sessions will be made available weekly.
- Crisis support will be supplied 24/7.
Phase II
When clients have met pre-determined SIL goals they will have the opportunity to gradually move to increased independence. Each client’s transition will look different and will be detailed in service plans as SIL Phase I progresses.
Only youth who have been Elk Island Child & Youth Ranch Phase I Program clients will be considered for entry into the program.
- Phase II SIL clients will have 5 hours of face to face interaction with staff weekly at a minimum. Time requirements to be determined by client and the service team.
- Frequent and regular phone check-ins will be made to ensure safety of the client.
- Safety plans will be generated and a harm reduction approach applied to each youth identifying their issues, barriers and struggles.
- Individual training/support available on an as needed basis.
- Crisis support will be supplied 24/7.
Assessments will be done throughout the program to determine strengths and weaknesses.