Thornton Township Visit

Notes Thornton Township Visit
Contact: Deb Majewski Ed.D
GSU – B.A. Psychology, M.A. Counseling, Ed.d Counselor Supervision Education
Has been at Thornton Township 7 years oversees Internship program, also carries caseload. Her caseload primarily consists of individuals with individuals that have anxiety issues and women with self- esteem issues. She likes working with this population because she also suffered with these issues.
Thornton Township lost grant to provide counseling services but, they continue to provide services with tax based funding from Thornton Township.
Thornton Township Youth Committee – Youth Department is now divided into two sections.
Youth Committee Incorporated which runs the CRISIS PROGRAM : Locked out, youth that run away. Their goal is to try and reunify youth with family, get temporary placement and needed referrals. NOTE: These services are not included with Youth and Family Services.
Youth and Family Services
Programs Grant from DHS for after school. DHS & DCFS other programs.After School
Summer Enrichment
These two programs are funded from same grant, did not know name of the two schools program operates at .On a first come, first served basis not sure of ages of participants. After school program runs three hours teaches; Computer Skills, Foreign Language, usually Spanish. Social Skills.Summer Program runs at Thornton Township Hall, Riverdale Monday- Thursday Hours 9:30 – 3:30. No cost. Unsure of capacity.The program uses Community Teens and Retired Teachers which are paid for their services. She said this is a DIRECT SERVICE.
The program helps the community which is an INDIRECT SERVICE. ( The employment component).
Note: Deb said when you want to think of Indirect Service think of how it affects others.
Bridges Program: INDIRECT
Connection to Markham Juvenile court Division 1st time offenders( non- violent). Works with 1st time offenders. Offender and parents/ guardians all have to attend. If no compliance from family, even if youth complies goes back to court. Offense expugnable if compliant. Did not know recidivism rate. Based on SYSTEMS THEORY.
Programs
Dance Groups
Hispanic Group Ages 9-13 usually does not integrate younger kids.
Hip Hop 9-13
Perform at activities in Township.
She said this was INDIRECT . Dr. Waller told her it was direct ????DAYS IN THE PARK ( Direct Service)
Considered as marketing/ advertising
Are held on Fridays from 4-7 throughout the township, in each area of township. Glenwood and Homewood are combined.
Events are catered by Jimboo’s. Attendees are served Hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian sausage, chips& a drink. They get to meet and greet staff of Thornton Township. Learn about township services.
COUNSELING – DIRECT SERVICE.DR. JERRY WEEMS, DIRECTOR of YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION ( THIS SHOULD PROBALY BE INCLUDED AT BEGINNING, THIS IS WHERE SHE GAVE NAME).
Counseling is available to all Thornton Township residents at no cost.
Refer under age 6 out, beyond expertise of staff. All other ages served.
Demographic: African- American, Hispanic, White, greatest races in township. Smattering of other races.There are total of 4 counselors, 3 full time, one part time, Deb is part time counselor.
There are 2 counselors at center ( Riverdale).
Deb works at the So. Holland, Township Center. 333 W 162nd. Most have max of 11 clients, not as many now, currently there is no waiting list. One counselor with CADC. Work 30 hours per week. No weekends. No later than 6p.m. Funding from grants& township tax base.
Treatment modalities: Psychotherapy. Work with clients that have relationship issues, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety & Adjustment disorders. Use V codes; DO NOT BILL INSURANCE.
DO NOT TAKE Clients : Bipolar, borderline personality, disassociative or, schizophrenia.
Some clients are seen for up to one year. Usual time seen: 16 weeks Brief counseling. Deb sees her clients once a month.
Space available now: No waitlist
Question was asked about needs of community?
Last needs assessment was quite a while ago, it showed needed services were Teenage sex& pregnancy but, parents never brought youth. Deb, aid they need new needs assessment.
She said she would think developmental stuff & delinquency would be issues that need to be addressed.
She mentioned : Refining Services if Parents are rigid & want change .Often teach kids coping skills. Goals are : individuation Process.
I am not sure which program this goes with, she was all over the place. I attempted to organize notes. I think this may refer to above needs assessment/ program.
Intake:
Call Megan DudekPhone Interview
Basic demographics
Next:
Come in for application appointment
Prove residency:
Mail, photo ID,
Client’s rights given
Include statistical records, if they have insurance, even though not used, medical records.
Staffing: looks at 1-10 application per week.
Id approved given to counselor
Usually within 48-72 hours counselor sets appointment #1
Psychosocial assessment # 1 done- Basics
Presenting problem
Precipitating Issues
2nd Session
Psychosocial #2
Look at client affect- Crying, Sad …..
Diagnosis
3rd Session
Treatment plan should be completed after this visit.
By 5th session should be working with treatment plan
After 90 days or three months Review to see if more than 16 weeks needed.
Look at presenting problem
What you did to help them
Areas where they are continuing to struggle
Recommendations:
Continue or return to counseling if necessary
Team Group Meetings: Once a month
Clinical Staff/ Clinicians & Interns
Interns Included
Interns present as well as clinicians.
Deb says her style is to supervise interns indirectly.
Thornton Township currently applying for-COA- Counseling Accreditation
Mandated reporters
Audited by DCFS & DHS because receive grants
Community Programs
Go to Local schools District 205 – High schools
Thornwood, Thornton & Thornridge High Schools
Groups:
Social Skills, Motivation, Time Mgt., Relations 101, ( Teachers, parents, romantic, dating, anger mgt.( Interns go to the schools).
Have no domestic violence groups. Refer out
Had group Boys to Men 10-15 years of age. Currently not running.Parenting- STEP- Systematic Training Effective Parenting.Indirect service:
Policy change, Advocacy in Springfield, Legislative meetings, mr. Weems attends.
Deb, says her membership in ICA, ACA is indirect service as a member even if not on committee, your dues assist in advocating for services.
Attending or participating in trainings where you receive CEU’s indirect because, you get new information which helps you provide better services to community.
This is list of what she said are indirect:
Supervision of interns
CEU’s
Training meetings
Outreach,
Advertising
Referrals: Aunt Martha’s, Food Pantries…..
Direct:
Days in Park
Counseling
Internship Experience
9-12 month unpaid
Individual & group Supervision
Interns must be independent
1 hour weekly supervision with Deb
Have ability to conceptualize
Diagnostic Skills
Theoretical Orientation
Autonomy & Accountability
If you plan to apply for internship there things you need to know:
If you work full time job not good fit, only work 30 hours per week, no weekends or holidays, only in until 6p.m.
Need to send cover letter & resume to [e-mail] by January 2015 for Summer 2015.
January 2016 for Summer 2016.
I also have the booklet not sure how helpful it will be.