About

Case Management​

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Every Youth is Unique

The Clinical Team and HomeBridge Youth Care Teams value and respect the individuality and uniqueness of each young person who enters our care. Youth come to our programs with their own identities including culture, values, behavior, interests, personality, influences, dreams, and past experiences. They bring their relationships with others such as family members, friends, neighbors, community members, therapist, psychologist, doctor, family support worker, and lawyer. They also bring their relationships with systems such as education, community services, justice, and health.

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When a youth enters a child caring facility they may feel stigmatized, rejected, lonely, self-blame for their situation, anxiety, sadness and loss, anger, and fear of the unknown and their uncertain future. In addition, the youth may feel a need to find a sense of belonging in the new, unknown surroundings; they may be exposed to negative peer influences, will have to depend on strangers, experience a lack of privacy, and a change of routine. Other factors which may influence a youth in a child caring facility include the possible loss of direct participation in cultural activities and surroundings, regular contact with family members, community supports, pets, school, peer group, routine, and recreational activities.

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There are many factors that impact a youth’s experience of living in a child caring facility. It is the role of the Clinical Team, and the greater organization to assist each youth to achieve their goals.

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Case Management System

The case management system is the framework used for gathering historical and contextual information regarding youth who reside within the HomeBridge community. It is based on the belief that case management is a continuous process from admission to transitioning to the next placement.

 

There are five core areas of focus within the Case Management System. Information gathered in each area, promotes a holistic understanding of the youth’s life situation and needs. The five areas of focus, and potential subcategories within each, include:

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1) Family Dynamics

• family history

• family culture and values

• family members’ views of the current situation

• family members’ proposed solutions and possible barriers to success

• observations of family dynamics made by the facility Youth Care Team
   

2) Behavioral and Emotional Concerns

• behaviours in contexts that include home, school, and the community

• the youth’s view of their behaviour and current life situation

• the youth’s perspective of family, the agency, and other supports

• observations and assessed needs that drive problematic behaviour made by the facility Youth Care Team

• individual development plans utilized by the facility Youth Care Team

• mental health concerns
   

3) Education

• the youth’s current and past academic performance

• behaviour and social concerns in the education environment

• strengths and challenges related to learning
   

4) Leisure, Recreation, Life Skills and Health

• past and present involvement and interests

• physical health concerns

• life and social skills abilities
   

5) Placement

• safety of the youth

• youth’s assessed needs

• family wishes

• available resources

• recommendations of the placement committee

• community supports