Components of the Program
Goal Setting
Each patient sets an achievable daily goal and a home-based goal that is related to problematic behavior. Goals are reviewed with their parents or caregivers daily, who provide daily feedback.
Individual Intervention
Patients are encouraged to express feelings and issues in a private, safe setting to identify problems and to uncover the sources and consequences of them. We then work with the child to develop strategies to improve coping and social skills.
Caregiver/Family Teaching
The staff works with the caregiver on behavioral interventions and alternatives to managing problematic behavior and methods for increasing or reinforcing more desirable behavior.
Family Therapy
This therapy assists patients and their parents or caregivers in recognizing and building on strengths and in identifying alternative ways to manage any problematic behavior — while being supported, guided, and supervised by the family therapist.
Process Groups
The process groups help identify behavior patterns and discover productive ways to respond to different situations and feelings, which will facilitate problem identification, processing, and resolution. Topics include: child safety family relationships, school issues, drugs, male/female relationships, anger and stress management, self-esteem, social and daily living skills, constructive physical activities, problem-solving strategies, communication techniques, and positive coping skills.
Learning Assessment and Intervention
STAR is not a school, but we do provide one hour of homebound instruction. Patients are expected to bring books and assignments from their school. STAR CDT teachers will be in contact with each patient’s school to determine specific educational and emotional needs.
Rehabilitative Psychosocial Skills (RPS) Group
RPS groups build skills in managing social interactions at home, school and in the community. Topics include: problem solving, conflict resolution, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. Therapeutic activities include gross motor activities, cinema therapy, therapeutic board games, and creative art projects to teach and strengthen daily living skills, developing body coordination, physical health, and self-esteem.
Medication Management
If the patient is taking medication, a psychiatrist or RN will educate the family on the purpose, dosage, administration, contraindications, side effects, food/drug interactions, and written information on each prescribed medication.
