Did you know that Saint Vincent’s Services’ has a Life Skills department? But… what do they do?!
Our goal, in addition to providing a safe residential space to heal and process trauma, is to help young people acquire the fundamental skills they need to succeed in child and young adulthood. Our Life Skills department is in the lead in teaching basic skills, tailored to individual needs, woven into every aspect of our residential treatment services (congregate care placement).
As a recap, for those of you who might not know, our residential treatment programs can be divided into two categories: short-term/Emergency Residence (ER), longer-term/Intensive Treatment Residence (ITR), and Community Treatment Residence (CTR). Emergency stays are short-term, lasting for a few days or weeks, while ITR and CTR stays are longer, lasting for a few months or years. Emergency Residential (ER) stays are temporary placements to address crisis situations.
Upon admission, youth receive a comprehensive evaluation utilizing a combination of standardized and non-standardized assessments. Determining the level of Life Skills support youth need involves several key factors. The type of facility placement, age of the resident, and mental and physical ability all play a role in assessments. Our Life Skills department sets appropriate goals and progressive outcomes tailored to each individual. The aim is to equip residents with the practical knowledge and abilities to transition successfully back into the community, whether reuniting with next of kin or a foster care placement.
Daily life skills development is crucial to Saint Vincent’s Services programming. More often than not, youth work one-on-one with Life Skills staff, on basic functional life skills such as personal and home care, literacy, money management, health care, safety and social skills, education and job skills, housing, and transportation, as well as exposure to community resources and recreation. Often aiding in the planning for exciting milestones like prom or graduation and preparing for aftercare services. These individualized sessions allow staff to provide focused care on the development of skills each youth requires most – what a parent would do!
Beyond critical daily individual work, Life Skills offers a variety of group programs throughout the year, and they are always changing!
- Our laundry group provides hands-on training and guidance on how to launder and care for clothing and household items effectively. Participants learn proper techniques, sorting methods, and how to use different laundry products efficiently.
- In the cooking group, individuals learn basic cooking skills, meal planning, and nutrition education. Our experienced instructors guide participants through preparing simple and healthy recipes, helping them gain confidence in the kitchen.
- The automotive services group offers practical knowledge on car maintenance, troubleshooting common issues, understanding vehicle systems, and how to communicate with a mechanic.
- Lastly, our financial literacy group equips individuals with the necessary knowledge to manage personal finances effectively. From budgeting and opening a bank account, this program helps participants build a solid foundation for financial well-being.
Beyond group and individual advancement, Saint Vincent’s Services Life Skills employees collaborate with community partners to connect older youth with resources for independent living. This includes transportation, housing, and internet access. Building meaningful community connections is a vital aspect of life skills development. Our Life Skills employees even maintain relationships with local partners so youth can access enrichment opportunities like guitar lessons, boxing, or gym memberships.
At Saint Vincent’s, we are dedicated to equipping youth with the practical life skills and community ties they need to thrive independently. That would not be possible without the Life Skills department, whose dedicated and tireless individualized approach truly sets up youth for success—now and beyond Saint Vincent’s Services!
If you want to learn more about Saint Vincent’s Services and the Life Skills department, contact Katie Rose Dawkins, Director of Donor Relations and Fundraising, at development@stvservices.org or 508-235-3228.
