Families Working Together/Families in Charge

Every Tuesday an Thursday from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
and every Sunday - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Family groups and visitation are combined into one program. 

Therefore, doors are locked at 7:15 PM—No late entry

Family members are included in all phases of WNRYC programming including a three-hour orientation, initial assessment, and initial treatment plan development on client’s first day in WNRYC.  This team-oriented approach continues through weekly family groups, visitation, formal transition meeting, and structured continuing care services.  

	Clients eligible to receive visits on 10th day following admission.  However, parents can attend family weeknight groups immediately, which are held in combination with Tuesday / Thursday visitations.
	All visits will take place INSIDE the WNRYC facility to ensure safety.
	Due to safety, confidentiality, and security concerns, all visits will be supervised by WNRYC staff, with staff having final authority in all decisions related to visitation and safety.
	NO purses, book bags, sacks, handbags, cell phones, food, beverage, etc., (except diaper bags which must be searched!) are allowed inside the WNRYC facility to maintain a safe environment for everyone in the Families Working Together program.
	NOTHING IS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE WNRYC.  Possible exceptions to this MAY occur if pre-approved by staff, such as:  appropriate family pictures, and pre-authorized medications that are in an approved container, properly labeled, and have a doctor’s legal prescription.  All items must be presented to WNRYC staff for safety inspection.
	Visitors restroom is located in the reception area near the facility front entrance.
	As was discussed in orientation,  ALL visitors MUST be approved in advance by the WNRYC treatment coordinator, the parent, and the Probation Officer.  NO EXCEPTIONS!   We are pledged to protect your child, your privacy and your success!
	Purpose of Visitation:  Please have a fun and pleasant visit, including discussing your child’s progress in treatment.  Individual family meetings are available for additional discussion

Welcome to the Family Counseling and Visitation Programs

I wanted to take a moment to express my respect and appreciation to you for your being involved in your child’s participation in WNRYC’s programs.  I believe that together we can increase young people’s opportunities, skills and successes in our homes and communities.  Everyone at WNRYC wants to see your family and your child succeed in all parts of the WNRYC programs including:  Education credits, Alcohol/Drug treatment and education, Mental Health, Families in Charge program, skills development, community safety, child protection, etc.

Attached is a Families Working Together program schedule, along with some basic rules that will make us all safe as we work together in the next 12 months or so.  WNRYC’s services/programs include: 

Families Working Together weekly meetings:  We have set up two different family nights and Sunday in an effort to give busy families more options for attendance.  Parent participation in Families Working Together meetings is seen as mandatory for youth’s success at WNRYC.  Each group’s program, and your weekly visitation with your child, must be done together so that both you and your child will be informed and successful in WNRYC programs.

Family Participation in Treatment Groups (By appointment)

Family Individual Meetings:  Individual family meetings and written assignments are a normal part of the Family Programs at WNRYC.

Weekly Sunday afternoon group and visitation:  Successful participation in WNRYC Families Working Together programs entitles family members to participate in Sunday afternoon group and visitations.

Some reasons to follow the attached rules:  Please partner with your child and all WNRYC staff in enforcing the rules for Family Programs and visitation.  As you know, the rules are meant to keep everyone safe and successful, so the rules are VERY important to all of us.  If a rule is unclear or confusing, please ask staff for clarification.  Sometimes certain rules may not seem fair or necessary at first, but I assure you they are necessary for us all to be safe.  Examples from a facility in Oregon are:

• A relative brought in a nail clipper for their child to use.  The child’s room-mate used the clipper to slash their wrists that night when no one was looking.
  
• A Bible was secretly brought in for a child.  The Bible had drugs hidden in the back pages.
  
• A letter from a brother/sister was secretly given to a child.  The letter’s content made the child depressed and the child ran away to help the brother/sister, and then was killed in a fight.  The staff could have helped if they had known the family’s problems that night.
  
• A purse was secretly brought into the meeting by a well intentioned parent.  An unrelated child stole a small mirror from the purse in a crowded room, and used the glass to threaten a room-mate. The child was paranoid due to drug detox problems.

 Please help with treatment and safety!  Follow the attached rules and report rule violations!