Pathways (Independent Living Focus)
Pathways is a Group Care Intensive Services program dedicated to meeting therapeutic, board and housing needs of male youth ages 15-21 who have no foster family or kinship relationships. The overarching goal of the program is to prepare youth for eventual transition into an independent setting to help prevent what happens to so many youth when they age out of the system – homelessness and a life on the streets.
We provide for all the needs of the youth while supporting them in their journey towards independence. Experiential learning based on the youth’s level of maturity and responsibility is emphasized. The program utilizes a comprehensive curriculum comprised of individual and group instruction in areas such as money management, housing, employment, nutrition/culinary arts, social issues, health/ hygiene, transportation, and community resources.
Clients are instructed in the process for obtaining vital records and assisted with acquiring any missing vital documents. They are educated about the importance of budgeting, money management, and assisted with opening a bank account. There is hands-on instruction in meal planning, preparation, and nutrition. Awareness and utilization of relevant community resources is stressed as a tool to meet client needs. The program even assists clients with obtaining a driver’s license.
Pathways clients are supported by the program in completing their education through various community partners such as Anderson School District 5, Adult Education GED program, South Carolina Department Vocational Rehabilitation and Tri-County Technical College. Tutoring and educational credit recovery assistance are also available to assist clients in reaching educational goals through our Title One department.
Pathways clients are required to finish high school, either in a community program or through a GED. If they have the aptitude and interest, we continue to offer tutoring and assistance with vocational training or community college. They are encouraged to work in the community once they reach behavioral and maturity levels indicated for community employment. Program staff support clients in obtaining skill level appropriate jobs in the community. Once employed, staff provide transportation to work and counsel the youth regarding ongoing vocational skill development. Each client participates in a Casey Life Skills Vocational Assessment to gauge interests and aptitude for future career goals. We require those working to save out of each paycheck for the future and explain about participation in retirement or savings plans their job might offer.
We address the therapeutic needs of our clients through intensive case management including assessment of needs, individualized care planning, linkage to resources and monitoring of progress toward goals. Each client meets weekly with a master’s level therapist employed by the agency and trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Clients also have access to the agency psychiatrist as needed for medication assessment and monitoring. Anderson Behavioral Health partners with New Foundations to provide onsite substance abuse assessment and treatment for clients. Physical health is regularly assessed for medical, dental and vision needs and the client is connected with follow-up health care for when they leave.
The young men who leave the program are as prepared for independence as we can make them. Our caring staff take the place of their families and like families, we offer opportunities for them to keep in touch, establish one-on-one mentoring over the course of the stay that can continue once they leave, and offer advice when requested.
Youth are referred to our residential programs through the SC Department of Social Services or the SC Department of Juvenile Justice.
Youth are referred to our residential programs through the SC Department of Social Services or the SC Department of Juvenile Justice.
Pathways is a Group Care Intensive Services program dedicated to meeting therapeutic, board and housing needs of male youth ages 15-21 who have no foster family or kinship relationships. The overarching goal of the program is to prepare youth for eventual transition into an independent setting to help prevent what happens to so many youth when they age out of the system – homelessness and a life on the streets.
We provide for all the needs of the youth while supporting them in their journey towards independence. Experiential learning based on the youth’s level of maturity and responsibility is emphasized. The program utilizes a comprehensive curriculum comprised of individual and group instruction in areas such as money management, housing, employment, nutrition/culinary arts, social issues, health/ hygiene, transportation, and community resources.
Clients are instructed in the process for obtaining vital records and assisted with acquiring any missing vital documents. They are educated about the importance of budgeting, money management, and assisted with opening a bank account. There is hands-on instruction in meal planning, preparation, and nutrition. Awareness and utilization of relevant community resources is stressed as a tool to meet client needs. The program even assists clients with obtaining a driver’s license.
Pathways clients are supported by the program in completing their education through various community partners such as Anderson School District 5, Adult Education GED program, South Carolina Department Vocational Rehabilitation and Tri-County Technical College. Tutoring and educational credit recovery assistance are also available to assist clients in reaching educational goals through our Title One department.
Pathways clients are required to finish high school, either in a community program or through a GED. If they have the aptitude and interest, we continue to offer tutoring and assistance with vocational training or community college. They are encouraged to work in the community once they reach behavioral and maturity levels indicated for community employment. Program staff support clients in obtaining skill level appropriate jobs in the community. Once employed, staff provide transportation to work and counsel the youth regarding ongoing vocational skill development. Each client participates in a Casey Life Skills Vocational Assessment to gauge interests and aptitude for future career goals. We require those working to save out of each paycheck for the future and explain about participation in retirement or savings plans their job might offer.
We address the therapeutic needs of our clients through intensive case management including assessment of needs, individualized care planning, linkage to resources and monitoring of progress toward goals. Each client meets weekly with a master’s level therapist employed by the agency and trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Clients also have access to the agency psychiatrist as needed for medication assessment and monitoring. Anderson Behavioral Health partners with New Foundations to provide onsite substance abuse assessment and treatment for clients. Physical health is regularly assessed for medical, dental and vision needs and the client is connected with follow-up health care for when they leave.
The young men who leave the program are as prepared for independence as we can make them. Our caring staff take the place of their families and like families, we offer opportunities for them to keep in touch, establish one-on-one mentoring over the course of the stay that can continue once they leave, and offer advice when requested.
