Direct Care Worker
Marquette
Community-based residential group homes, South Bluff, Cedar Creek and Indian River, provide a home, a family and structure for youth coming from backgrounds of abuse, neglect and delinquency. Based on the nationally-recognized Teaching Family Model, group home living teaches youth social skills, anger management, goal setting and basic living skills. Individualized treatment plans are set up for each child, setting personal goals and noting specific challenges. Group homes are community-based, allowing youth to remain in their regular school, attend their regular church and begin to recognize their ability to become a productive member of their own community. Behavioral and emotional challenges are dealt with through setting goals, meeting expectations and earning privileges. The average stay for a youth in a group home is nine months. Youth who meet their goals and graduate are able to return home, or transition to foster care supervised independent living and begin to rebuild their lives.