Family Involvement in the Stepping Stones Program

At Tennyson Center for Children, we want families to be involved with their children.  Two of our guiding beliefs are “Parents are the Experts,” and “Families Belong Together.”  The treatment team is aware of the difficulty children and families face when separated and makes every effort to help them maintain their connection.

Each youth has a contact sheet developed by the case manager and approved by the guardian/caseworker.  Family phone calls, visits and passes are decided by the treatment team for each individual based on input from youth’s caseworker/guardian, the family’s treatment progress, and the youth’s discharge plan.  There is no waiting period for residents to have contact with their family.  Contact (with approval from guardian/caseworker) is encouraged.  Some families are expected to stay with staff when visiting, others are asked to stay on campus but have latitude about where they go, others are permitted to take their child off-campus.

Family and friends can phone daily as long as they are on the youth’s contact sheet.  A resident will have permission to talk to parents, caseworker, parole officer, GAL and/or CASA worker no matter what behavioral level he is on.            
Family visits must be pre-arranged with therapist or case manager.  The therapist or case manager will communicate the arrangements to the cottage staff and details will be recorded in the cottage log.  When families visit, they may choose to participate with cottage activities.  Periodically, there are special events that parents are invited to attend in the cottage.

We do not limit family participation or family visits as a consequence for a youth’s behavior.  Any limits on family participation or family visits need to be made by the therapist and are based on therapeutic considerations. 
We strongly encourage all families to participate in family therapy, either with our therapist or one in the community.  Participation in family therapy is discussed at Intake.  Family members (with approval of guardian/caseworker) are invited and welcome to attend monthly and Quarterly treatment plan reviews.