CASE STUDY 12:  New Horizons is a group home that operates a therapeutic program in a large, city in Western Canada.  The program serves adolescent youth 13 to 17 years of age that are at-risk of serious emotional and behavioral problems.  The program serves both males and females. The backgrounds of the youth include broken families, school truancy, and shoplifting to being in provincial custody as a result of neglect, abuse and abandonment issues.  Many of the youth receive counseling and substance abuse services, and some of them are on a daily regimen of psychotropic medications.  Their assessments and diagnoses include ADHD, conduct disorders, oppositional-defiant disorder, mild depression, and a general deficit in educational achievement and personal development.  They tend to be impulsive, to have short attention spans, low frustration tolerance, low self-esteem, and a defensive response to authority figures. Problem-solving skills are limited for many of them as well.  Most of the teens in the program have had limited opportunities to be out of the city.  The program provides daily care and supervision, after school tutoring, mentoring, family crisis support, and recreational opportunities. Harry, a Youth Worker at the New Horizons home, had successfully secured a grant to plan and execute an extended summer camping trip for the residents.  Harry came to the program with extensive experience and skills in working with at-risk youth both in the community setting and in outdoor, adventure-based programs.  He wanted to include the following activities in the trip: low impact, back-country camping; river and lake canoeing; water and canoe safety; swimming; first aid instruction; food preparation; environmental awareness activities; journal writing; and group initiatives/challenges fostering cooperation and teamwork, problem solving skills, leadership development and personal growth.

In the first meeting that you have with Chance’s family, as the assigned family support worker, Chance tells his parents, “it’s not Portugal, they do things differently here,” and you realize that you know nothing about Portugese history, culture or what it’s like to be a first or second generation Portugese Canadian. Your focus for intervention at this point is developing the relationship and understanding the family dynamics. What is the best way for you to understand how being a Portugese Canadian family has influenced the dynamics between parents and children?

At what stage do adolescents typically form exclusive romantic relationships?

Which term refers to adolescents’ belief that their experiences are unique?

This semester, we conducted several simulations on religious diversity and humility in healthcare. Define religious humility and explain why religious diversity is important in healthcare. In your essay, reflect on three simulations. How did the students demonstrate religious diversity and humility in healthcare? If they did not demonstrate it, what improvements could they have made? (Include references to the simulations and the groups you took notes on). (Your essay should be 250-500 words).

Which parenting style is associated with high warmth and high control?

What type of play involves children working together to achieve a common goal?

Four youth experience the same disappointing situation.  All are visibly upset.  Fred goes to his room and starts beating his pillow.  Mary writes a lengthy and angry entry in her journal.  Sally voices her angry feelings loudly to her roommate.  James shrugs it off stating “no big deal” and refuses to participate in any other activities with the group.  Which of the youth is using the LEAST BENEFICIAL response to the stress?

What is the most common sleep-related problem for adolescents?

Does an Entry Level CYC Certification provide authorization for a CYC Practitioner to administer medications?