As a model for change, Family Transition Management™ is grounded in 10 basic principles.  These principles apply to all FTM™ programs.  Likewise, all intervention techniques, procedures, and family training and support systems employed by Homeward Bound programs are derived from and must adhere to these principles.  Developed from evidenced-based, clinical research and therapeutic experience, FTM™ Principles maintain structure, provide perspective, and bring proven methods to a wide range of family situations.

FTM™ Principles

1. Aftercare or intervention should begin as early as possible - for aftercare, prior to the return home.
2. Aftercare or intervention assessment should identify the connections between initial problems and their systemic roots to determine threats to recovery.
3. Aftercare or intervention should establish family commitment to an empirically-based, continual improvement process.
4. Aftercare or intervention should establish and promote adherence to daily, family and individual regimens that develop appropriate skills and foster education.
5. Aftercare or intervention efforts should work to eliminate negative influences in the referral’s family system and ecosystem.
6. Aftercare or intervention should encourage multiple, positive behavioral outlets, and promote the application of newly developed skills in real-world situations.
7. Aftercare or intervention should provide 24/7 access to services.
8. Aftercare and intervention should include ongoing behavioral monitoring and evaluation of each system of influence.
9. Aftercare or intervention efforts should be centrally coordinated to ensure treatment fidelity and accountability.
10. Aftercare or intervention should support a gradual transition from a high level of therapeutic intensity to a less rigid environment.

Real-world Application

Principle 1

For aftercare, facilitating a smooth transition from a wilderness or residential program to a home environment is key to maintaining the progress made in treatment.  Parents need preparation time and aftercare skills training.  Further, the time spent apart provides an opportunity for a joyous reunion and sincere reconciliations.  Thus, precautions must be taken to prevent simple mishandlings that could launch the family back into their old patterns.  Homeward Bound Specialists work with parents to plan for these events and provide structured guidance throughout the reunion.

For family intervention, problems left to their own devices never resolve themselves.  Intervening early spares families additional anguish and unnecessary confrontation.  For proactive families, family intervention serves to improve family relationships, prevent behavioral problems before they get out of control, as well as teach families important life skills that serve for the long-term.

Principle 2

Because behavior only makes sense in context, assessment must take place in the home.  Homeward Bound Specialists conduct interviews with family members, peer groups, teachers, coaches, extended family members, and other individuals that contribute to a complete understanding of the behavioral/emotional challenges.  Further, during each program’s two-day home visit, the Specialist observes the family dynamic firsthand through extended interaction.  In actuality, assessment never ends as the specialist is continually learning about the family through ongoing multi-systemic work.

Principle 3

Progress does not unfold without "bumps in the road", followed by course correction, continual learning and implementation of new strategies and processes. The family is supported in applying their own continual improvement process while putting in place ongoing support systems.   Homeward Bound Specialists bring many successful examples to facilitate the creative process as well as provide the necessary direction, method, and accountability to each family member’s commitment.

Principle 4

Family coaching meetings develop healthy regimens.  Keeping up pro-social activities and other healthy behavioral outlets is as difficult as beginning any new exercise program or diet.  To see results, families must adhere to their regimens, make changes if things aren’t working, recover confidently when there is a falter, and keep up support channels.  This effort requires daily attention, weekly
review, and continuing life education. By maintaining regimens for several months, new, positive behaviors become second nature.

Education is just as important for parents as it is for children and teens.  Parents and kids become set in their ways and don’t realize the multitude of options available to them.  Through ongoing education and life application parents and children learn these options, techniques, and coping skills that empower them for life.  Evidenced by numerous improvement programs spanning countless disciplines, any education performed on a daily basis for 10 minutes to 30 minutes has tremendous long-term impact.

Principle 5

Many negative influences should simply be removed.  Negotiating with obviously destructive behaviors such as serious drugs, violence, or other dangerous elements can be an exercise in futility.  Homeward Bound Specialists work with families and the Home Team to identify threats to continued success.  Often, a group effort is required to eliminate negative influencers, change routines, and develop and implement strategies across all life circles.

Principle 6

Often in treatment, whether in a wilderness or residential program, individuals make real progress, only to be disappointed when they return to the “real world” and find it difficult to apply the techniques, concepts, and other information they learned.  This transition - from one world to another - is a fundamental challenge for long-term success.  For this reason, Homeward Bound Specialists help identify and overcome obstacles that inhibit the application of new skills in real-world situations. In addition, proactive plans for positive involvement in regular, healthy activities are created.

Principle 7

24/7 access enables parents to avoid costly mistakes and get direction at the time critical decisions need to be made. It also unifies parents through hands on coaching and support at critical times. Without immediate access, learning is slower and only theoretically done, after the fact rather than in the moment of decisions and actions.

Principle 8

Many aftercare or intervention efforts have had problematic behavior slip through the cracks or to realize it many months later.  Monitoring and evaluation can not simply come from one or two perspectives.  Depending on the child or teen’s situation, individuals representing all life circles from school, to peers, to extended family, to clinical resources may be needed to ensure accurate monitoring and evaluation of the individuals behavior.  This is a core duty of the Home Team.  

Principle 9

Homeward Bound Specialists and Case Managers centrally coordinate all aftercare and intervention efforts.  They keep track of meetings, regimen adherence, life education schedules, Home Team activities, evaluations, and many of duties to ensure no gaps in care and no unnecessary repetition of efforts.

Principle 10

Aftercare or intervention has to provide the right amount of structure for the child and family while helping them decrease that structure over time as is developmentally appropriate. This allows for continued accountability through self-motivated behaviors rather than through highly structured and imposed manners.