Family and Parenting Program

Family Reunification: An initial assessment is done by the Parenting Specialist during the client's stay in detox to be sure the children are safe and to determine where the client's child or children are living and their legal status. Visitation is set up if possible. Court system is notified if parents wishes to regain custody.

The child's needs are assessed in conjunction with Child Protective Services (CPS).

From the beginning, children are enrolled in a THP child education group facilitated by the Parenting Specialist.

If necessary, children are referred for outside counseling, with the Parenting Specialist monitoring the child's progress and keeping the parent informed.

At Step 8, the parenting specialist makes a complete clinical assessment with the input of the Program Director and support staff to determine the parent's readiness to begin the Nurturing Parenting Program, which meets for twelve weeks. Topics include alternatives to corporal punishment, choices and consequences, and developing empathy for children. Learning takes place on both cognitive and feeling levels.

Once the Program Director and Parenting Specialist agree that the client and child are ready, the parent and child begin overnight visitation at THP, interaction is observed, and a plan of action is suggested. The child's father/mother may be included in the plan at this point.

The Parenting Specialist guides children, parents, and CPS through the legal system and continues to prepare the family for reunification.

When the Parenting Specialist and the Program Director agree, the child begins to visit THP more regularly. The Parenting Specialist monitors this arrangement to be sure all the child's needs are met.

Efforts are made to prevent a premature re-unification that would set the family up for failure. The family stays connected with the Parenting Specialist up to and through movement into permanent housing.

Family Systems Classes: These are mandatory for all men and women at THP.
Classes begin at Step 8 and run for 10 weeks or longer, depending on the needs of individual clients.

Nurturing Parenting classes include topics such as: Healthy Relationships, Adult Children of Alcoholics issues, and Gender Identity

Child Development Classes: Classes are open to children of THP clients. There are two groups: One for children 5 to 11 and the other from 12 to 15.

Meets once a week for 10 weeks, with both daytime and evening hours.

Children in these classes are taught that addiction is a disease and that the addicted parent does love them. Typical addictive behaviors are discussed with the children, such as black outs and broken promises.

Artwork is often used and specialists are brought in to work with the children in this area.

These classes help the children learn how to be children again.

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