Choices Program

Ages 13 to 25

The Choices Program is designed to meet participants where they are, assess their needs for the future, and implement a specific 90-day plan, broken up into three 30-day segments. As participants move on to each new segment, new educational material and life skills are added to supplement therapy sessions and challenge each participant to choose his own future.

Assessment

At the beginning of the Fresh Start program, it is important to assess the needs for each individual. The Child and Adolescents Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is a multi-purpose tool developed for determining specific needs in individuals, including level of care and service planning to facilitate quality improvement initiatives and to allow for monitoring outcome. Versions of CANS are currently used in all 50 states for child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice, and early intervention applications. CANS was developed from a communication perspective to link the assessment process and the design of individualized service plans including the application of evidence-based practices.

Day 1-30

The first 30 days are designed to assess needs and begin to allow the participant to take part in a few of the therapy sessions. With each participant living his own individual struggle, it is crucial to design a unique plan for each person in Fresh Start using an initial assessment of needs.

First, the participant will be involved in Multisystemic Therapy, an intensive family and community-based treatment program designed to have the participant’s caregivers involved throughout the process. From there, we create personalized treatment plans to complete the participants first 30 days which include:

• Individual and Group Therapy – Fresh Start provides a supportive environment to discuss problems and concerns and to work toward each participant’s goal. In addition to individual therapy, a 12-week intensive closed group session is offered, in which all participants begin the group at the same time. This group will help individuals better understand themselves in the context of their relationships so they can make more informed choices based on a deeper awareness of their feelings, interpersonal behaviors, reactions, and patterns.
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy – CBT gives participants the chance to improve social skills, means and ends, problems solving, critical and moral reasoning, cognitive style, self-control, impulse management, and self-efficacy. CBT can help restructure distorted thinking and perceptions, which in turn change behavior for the better.
• Exercise and Nutrition Education – Information about living a physically healthy lifestyle is presented so that a knowledge base on wellness can be established.
• Spiritual Awareness and Wellness – Through this, participants can explore their own being in order to become whole and reunite the spirit with the physical body in a commonality of purpose.
• Substance Abuse Treatment – Fresh Start provides individual and group substance abuse counseling with access to refer participants to services for medication management, aftercare, and recovery services.

Day 31-60

Continuing in therapy from the first 30 days, participants advance on to days 31-60 by taking part in new, additional therapy sessions and educational material. One new form of therapy introduced may include Expressive & Creative Therapy, according to the needs of the individual. This type of therapy has proven successful in individuals of all ages and often yields very positive changes in participants by tapping into feelings, emotions, and thought processes through creativity.

One educational piece that is introduced in days 31-60 is media literacy. As youths experience media in all forms from TV, radio, video games, movies, social media, and more, it is crucial for participants to understand media messaging and be able to use filters with media, interacting and communicating in positive ways. As an essential skill, media literacy will also benefit participants for future endeavors in the job force.

Day 61-90

As the final stage in the Fresh Start program, participants will continue in their unique plan of therapy and education, but will also be introduced to new life skills, employment preparedness training, and community service. These new elements will teach on subjects such as vocation, media, technology, internships, and more. Employment preparedness training will consist of Community service will show participants the importance of community outreach and collaboration with law enforcement officials, as well as the need for community volunteers.

Graduation and After Program

As participants finish the 90-day Choices Program, they are ushered into a new phase that will challenge them to apply these life skills. Upon graduation, participants will engage in:

• Once a month wrap around meetings – Each Participant Case Manager will meet with the participant once a month for six months to discuss progress and plans for the future.
• 30 hours of community service – During the six months following graduation, participants will perform 30 hours of community service in order to create positive person-to-person interactions within the community.
• 30 hours as Fresh Start partner/peer – In addition to engaging with community service projects, participants will complete 30 hours of service with a Fresh Start partner.
• Fresh Start Alumni Program – Fresh Start participants who successfully complete the program will become Fresh Start Alumni. If the individual wishes to continue to utilize Fresh Start services, it will be required to volunteer time at Fresh Start or with a Fresh Start partner or sponsor.

Redemption Program

Fresh Start specializes in programs for the youth, and is also connected to a network of adult mental health, and work programs for both men and women that we would love to connect you with. If you know anyone who are experiencing problems with recidivism within the criminal justice system or substance abuse, please contact us here. Fresh Start effectively addresses their problems by providing them with a comprehensive assessment, treatments, case management, and referrals support services. Each Participant receives mediation and conflict resolution skills through Family Services to certify them for mentoring and community outreach.

Here is a basic breakdown of the Workshop curriculum.

1. Assessment
2. Multi-Systemic Therapy
3. Career Plan
4. Referral to needed services

5. Life Skills
6. Technology Training
7. Employment/Educational or Vocational Readiness
8. Community Service

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