Residential Programs
Arrowhead's traditional residential program typically involves a 9-12 month placement. The program utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral Strengths-Based theoretical foundation. Arrowhead focuses on rehabilitative services aimed at human growth and development. Arrowhead's values and principles represent a partnership with children and families, using their strengths and resources to overcome obstacles and helping them on the way to live empowered lives. Arrowhead has long held the belief that children are competent and resourceful and have the potential to help others and their surrounding communities. Arrowhead advocates safe and humane treatment, treating children and their families with respect and recognizes that all human beings have a need for belonging. Arrowhead is committed to continuing the practice of being a strengths-based practitioner and work from the belief that, children, their families and their communities have strengths and resources that provide them with the ability that they can recover and grow from adversity.
Arrowhead encourages individual change within a structured group setting. There is an emphasis on the learning theories and their application to behavior and personality, as it relates to adolescent development. Learning theories used include Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Reality Therapy, Family Systems and Solution Focus. This is complemented with individual counseling that each resident receives throughout the course of his or her treatment. This requires total staff involvement, and Arrowhead staff exemplifies this involvement. The group program aims to enhance each individual's development so that the individual learns to be responsible. Upon graduation from the program, it is hoped that a young adult will continue to be a productive individual and contributing member of society.
As part of its treatment program Arrowhead utilizes a standardized set of personal values that are to be addressed by each adolescent. Focusing on these values is a central component of the group process in rehabilitating an adolescent and measuring progress in the program. Behavior management is an integral part of the strength based program, yet consequences of inappropriate behavior are not a focus of the program. Inappropriate behaviors are not viewed as reason for administering punishment, but an opportunity for developing self-control, self-responsibility, and self-direction. Since each adolescent is responsible for his or her own behavior, peers and staff assist him or her in assessing inappropriate actions - why he/she did what was done: what he/she could have done differently, etc.
The group structure is key to the treatment program, and groups function as a close knit unit. Groups live together, eat together, work together and attend school together. A strong and structured group approach with similar clients who have like offenses lends itself to learning to care for others, and in turn for themselves. A therapeutic environment is then created to induce peer discussion, creating safe and trusting relationships with other children who have the same needs to change.
Arrowhead is actively involved as a member of the Illinois Interagency Athletic Association. Many trophies have been awarded to Arrowhead over the years through teams' participation in basketball, soccer, softball track and field, swimming and volleyball. Such competition allows the residents to have many positive, rewarding experiences.
Recreation is an integral part of the total treatment program. The main goal is to rehabilitate the residents or redirect their activities through group participation. This fosters positive interaction and problem solving through a group setting. Many of the activities center around social outings such as field trips, movies, circus, camping, community activities, sports events and visiting artist performances. Constructive recreation activities are also planned for late evenings and weekends.
Residential Programming at Arrowhead is offered on three different levels. While many aspects of the programs intertwine, they each possess individual qualities. Residents from all three programs participate in the same activities, receive the same services, and attend the same school. The treatment approach, however, is adjusted slightly for our shorter term residents to ensure that all residents receive the maximum benefits from their stay at Arrowhead. Arrowhead currently offers three different types of residential programming: 30-Day Assessment, Alternative to Detention and Traditional Residential Treatment.