Community Integration for Teens and Youth (C.I.T.Y.)

BRAINS offers an integrated program to enhance social awareness and skill development for pre-teens, teens, and young adults. We understand that the functioning of each child, adolescent, or adult varies from setting to setting, so interventions are targeted to build skills and awareness tailored to specific contexts within the community, while also providing a basis of support through outpatient therapy as necessary to provide the foundation for skill development in the community.

Payment for community mentoring is kept as low as possible to encourage consistent participation. At times, commercial insurance may cover the cost of the initial assessment, which is conducted by a fully licensed clinician. Following the assessment, a detailed plan with specific goals, objectives, and activity planning is outlined. From there, the teen or youth meets with a trained mentor in a community setting to begin working toward advances in community participation and skill development toward increased functional independence. The mentors might also assist with understanding the process of finding possible job openings, application completion, and can attend interviews as needed. However, the program is not a replacement for Vocational Services through the state or other specialized Vocation Departments. Rather, the mentors may work with individuals who are functioning beyond the scope or these agencies and need job mentoring/guidance.

(NOTE: BRAINS does not offer transportation, but may include teaching use of public transportation systems if this is a desired goal.)

As the young adult, teen, or youth develops appropriate skills, they may progress from individual mentoring to attending small group or large group outings, as specified by the intervention plan. In this way, a whole continuum of integration can be accomplished based on the individual’s skills and goals. The referring agency and family are integral to the development of these goals and plan reviews.

What is Community Integration?

Community Integration refers to an individual’s ability to function well within public settings. Participation in community events, including leisure activities, employment settings, and church/religious environments are key to the wellbeing of most people. Yet difficulties handing the stimulation, social expectations, or communication demands of these environments mean that many young adults, teens, and youth feel left out and isolated.

What are the challenges that might interfere with healthy integration into the community?

• Challenges with thinking ability. People with learning disorders, cognitive impairment, or memory deficits may struggle to process the information quickly enough or to integrate the information efficiently enough to function in a social setting.
• Challenges with communication: People with difficulties processing language and expressing themselves may struggle in fast-paced conversations or in pressured situations.
• Challenges in understanding social nuances: People with autistic spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome or PDD.NOS struggle to understand social conventions such as figures of speech or humor. Learning how to initiate and sustain conversations, build empathy, and express emotions within the expectations of multiple settings is often difficult.
• Challenges with emotional and anger regulation: People with difficulties regulating their emotions (due to brain injury, developmental delay, or emotional/mental health issues) often struggle to cope with situations that might trigger intense feelings.
• Challenges with anxiety/depression: People struggling with symptoms of anxiety or depression often fail to function at their best in high-stimulation or high-intensity settings, therefore they tend to avoid them and become isolated.
• Challenges with ADHD: People with ADHD often are more impulsive and distractible than others, leaving them at risk for misreading the social expectations, forgetting to do what they know they should, and/or missing important details.
• Challenges with Problem Solving: When people have trouble problem solving, they might find themselves at risk for making impulsive or poor choices “in the heat of the moment” because they couldn’t think of alternative options quickly enough.
  

Costs:

BRAINS anticipates that most commercial insurance will cover the initial assessment with a licensed clinician. The self-pay cost is $150.00 for the initial assessment and planning session. However on a case by case basis, our therapists have the ability to negotiate a self-pay rate for individuals in need or we can accept a payment plan.

• Program 1: 1:1 outing with a trained mentor $45/hour
• Program 2: 1:2 outing with a trained mentor $40/hour/client
• Program 3: 1:3 or more with trained mentor(s) $35/hour/client

The client/family is responsible for the cost of the activity (cost of the meal at a restaurant, concert ticket, admission fee), but many no-cost/low-cost options will be sought as often as possible, depending on availability and goals.

It would not be uncommon for individuals to continue working with the licensed professionals on-site at BRAINS, while also integrating community activity. We hope this helps to bring the therapeutic skills learned in the clinic out into the community for opportunities to practice these strategies “where they are truly important for functioning.” Our clinicians have to commonly heard families say, “they are great in the clinic or school, but they can’t do it outside these environments.” This program allows a more planned transition through goal acquisition, which can hopefully increase treatment response and self-confidence.

To schedule an initial assessment interview with a licensed clinician and enroll in the CITY program, please complete the Initial Intake and Child/Adolescent forms or Adult Intake Questionnaire by clicking the links or by clicking on the Forms section of the website. Then, call to schedule.

Behavioral Resources and Institute for Neuropsychological Services
3351 Eagle Run Dr. NE Suite C
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 365-8920
Fax: (616) 365-8971
staff@brainspotential.com

Copyright 2006 - B.R.A.I.N.S. Potential - Grand Rapids, MI