Fact or Myth
Discharge means I leave my current placement.
Fact
True or false: I have control over my own discharge date
Either answer will be taken with good explanation:
Fact- you do not have full control, but your discharge depends on you working through placement
Myth- you don't have full control
What is discharge?
Discharge is when a youth leaves their current placement and is placed in a home.
True or false: When I came to YV, they should have already had my placement and knew where I was going when I left.
False: It depends on your permanency goals. Some people have families to return to and some have to have placement found. Group homes and foster homes can't hold placements until someone is done with treatment, so placement is looked for once the youth is close to being ready.
What is a group home?
A group home is a stepdown placement for the youth who have shown safe behaviors and meet the requirements for being in the community setting more. In the group home, there are more opportunities for being in the community, such as getting a job, more outings, and public school.
When I discharge, that means I am done learning what I need to know.
Myth
Why would a discharge date be pushed back?
(Answers may vary)- not having placement, not showing safe behaviors, not using the skills learned in treatment.
What is a transfer?
A transfer is when a youth leaves their current placement and is continuing with services from another placement (ex: stepping down to a group home)
If I am "ready" for stepdown, why haven't I left yet?
(answers may vary) Placement has not been found, family sessions are still happening, DCS/Judge have not approved the stepdown date yet, etc.
What is independent living?
Independent living facilities are places where the youth has more freedom, such as being able to come and go as they please, have a job/go to school, or going to the movies and inviting friends over. There are rules that have to be followed, there is a curfew, and there are requirements that have to be met to be able to get into an independent living facility. It is an opportunity to learn how to live independently and, work, and practice skills.
I can discharge once I complete my treatment AND placement is found.
Fact
True or false: If I don't think my caseworker is finding me placement fast enough, I can replace them and it will help
False
Why do some people leave/discharge before others?
(answers may vary)- not having placement, not showing safe behaviors, some people have family involved and others don't, concerns with their past, aging out, etc.
Why do criticals and behavior play a part in discharge?
It determines if a youth is able to use the skills learned in the home and community setting.
What is reunification?
Reunification is when a youth has been separated, for whatever reason, from their family and the goal is for them to return to their family member.
My counselor is the only person who decides my discharge
Myth
True or False: if I don't get a critical for 6 months, I should be able to leave.
false
What needs to be completed to be "ready" for discharge? Explain
PSB treatment, trauma treatment, treatment of referral behaviors, safety planning, supervision planning, aftercare services need to be set-up, all court requirements need to be met (if applicable)
answers may vary
What is foster home?
Foster care is when a person or family have decided that they want to accept a child into their home that does not have a home or cannot go home (for whatever reason). A foster family has to have an extensive background check, complete classes, and become certified to be a foster parent.
Getting a critical can push my discharge date at least a month
Myth- BUT, please note that most placements, like group homes, look at the last 60 days (2 months) of critical incidents.
Who all is involved in discharging a youth? (Must get most/all correct to receive points)
Judge (when applicable), counselor, DCS worker, family, GAL/AAL/CASA, program directors, program managers, placement services, nursing, educational department, YV clinical leads, legal department (when applicable).
Fill in the blank: Discharge is not the end, it is just the ________. Also, explain what that statement means. (must do both to get all the points)
Beginning
(Answers may vary)- when you discharge, it is a restart. You are beginning a new life different from the old one. You have to use the skills learned when you go back into the community and home setting.
"If my discharge date changes, it is all my fault and I am a failure." "They lied to me when they said I was leaving." "Don't nobody want me to go anywhere." "Yall just want me to age out."
What cognitive distortions are you noticing and how can you challenge them appropriately?
blaming, disqualifying the positive, mental filter, jumping to conclusions
(Answers may vary)
What is adoption?
Adoption is when a family decides to make a youth a part of their family forever. This involves going to court and having the youth declared a member of the family permanently, including changing the birth certificate. This is also an extensive process.