The Family Intervention and Life Education Program serves a broad range of family crisis involving children and teens ranging in age from 8 to 20. Although the strategies and methods differ greatly for each age group and situation, the fundamental, programmatic structure and time commitment usually remains the same to implement lasting, positive change.

Phase 1: Evaluation

Evaluation, Assessment, and Planning
Prior to the in-home visit a Homeward Bound Specialist completes a comprehensive assessment in order to develop a family plan including current intervention. This includes:

• Understanding current behavior, parental concerns, and identifying key individuals in the family and extended systems (i.e.: school personnel, therapist(s), and educational consultants).
• Contact with key individuals to gain assessment information for development of a unique family plan either through phone contact or in person during the initial in-home visit.
  Creation of the Home Team. The Home Team is a network of extended family, peers, and professionals chosen by the family to act as a council and assist them in reaching their goals. Prepared and trained by the Homeward Bound Specialist, this invested team will monitor, evaluate, counsel, and work with the family to offer experience, wisdom, resources, and support.
• Prepare a detailed assessment of behavior, family functionality and psychosocial stressors.

Phase 2: Intervention

In-Home Visit, Family Resource Planning, and Crisis Intervention
The intensive two day, in-home visit focuses on skills training, individualized coaching, creative exercises, strategies to manage current crises, establishment of boundaries, and commitment to the intervention process.

• Continue assessment with key school personnel and direct observation of classroom behavior and peer interaction. Additional assessment with therapists and other professionals as needed.
• Crisis Intervention
  For teens - Provide resources to manage current crisis, such as: running away, truancy and poor school performance, suicidal threats or behaviors, drug or alcohol use/abuse, threats or acts of violence, disrespect, etc. For younger children – Provide parents with strategies to manage teasing and bullying, back-talking, temper tantrums, lying, stealing, etc.
• Help the family provide the necessary structure through parent training sessions and re-establishment of the parental authority system.
• Provide coaching on new ways to communicate more effectively and openly.
• Identifying resources available that can be used in larger social systems including mentors, other professionals, and support organizations.
• Family training sessions and the facilitation of goal-setting sessions.
• Establishing a healthy family structure through collaborative communication processes. Topics include the establishment of rules and consequences; peer groups; and age appropriate expectations, activities, and responsibilities.
• Individual and family support systems and training mechanisms are introduced including: group exercises that tackle real issues, positive family activities, and family coaching sessions.
• The first Home Team meeting is conducted.
• When needed, educational, spiritual, and community support channels are opened.

Phase 3: Formation

Continued Education, Training, Support, and Crisis Management
In this phase families receive intensive training, support, and ongoing help to manage current crises. This includes:

Implement an individualized family plan around crisis management, individual and family issues, family goals, and utilization of the home team.

• Management of current crisis:
• For teens – Parents are provided additional strategies to neutralize presenting issues, are coached in the utilization of those strategies and provided additional resources as needed.
• For younger children – Parents receive additional strategies as needed, coached through utilization of those strategies, and work on recognition of positive behavior.
• Education aimed at individual family needs.
• Intensive follow-up, to provide individual and group support to the family as well as to monitor progress.
• Video coaching focusing on communication and problem solving.
• Coordination of eco-systemic resources, such as teaming up with educational consultants, therapists, principals, and mentors to address academic and behavioral issues, peer groups, and provide support of ongoing therapy.
• Home Team meetings provide continual review, recommendations, and encouragement.
  

Phase 4: Maintenance

Maintenance and Crisis Stabilization
When positive changes are maintained, the parental system is consistent and follows through, healthy family dynamics become second nature, and problematic behavior is minimized. This process includes:

• Meeting with therapist, case worker, and family to celebrate progress, highlight areas that need continued improvement, and to solidify the family’s plan for success.
• Utilizing a Homeward Bound Case Manager, families participate in; goal oriented follow-up and accountability, ongoing focus to maintain family changes, and work to predict and prevent crises from resurfacing.
• Additional online support resources including articles, newsletters, parenting tips etc.