Life Skills is seen as part of the total supportive/treatment services provided to the child and family for children with severe emotional disturbance, or emotional/behavioral disorder. It involves working with children and their families in the community to enable a child to maintain and improve emotional and behavioral functioning. Staff is expected to meet with client up to two times a week, mostly in the afternoon and evenings. With our life skills services, we work with children and their families in the following areas:

• Teaching skills needed to be a productive member of the community
• Building on the strengths of each youth
• Providing a positive role model
• Reinforcing positive behaviors, connections/linkages to community-based activities
• Strength based advocacy for the child/youth and their families

Expected Outcomes: What can you expect by participating in the life program?

• Improved school attendance
• Enhanced academic achievement
• Increased self-confidence
• Support for positive behavior
• Reduction in the rate of recidivism
• Stability and improved social skills
• Support and encouragement for achieving goals