CFP’s spectrum of community living programs includes the Community Treatment Residence Programs, Independent Living (IL) and Learning Independence by Fostering Empowerment (LIFE). CFP provides youth living within these programs supportive and rehabilitative services which promote individual empowerment.
The Congregate Care Programs’ goals are to help youth:
- Develop real-life problem solving skills
- Create permanent adult connections in the community
- Achieve their Vocational and Educational aims
- Prepare youth for employment and careers
Community Treatment Residence
Community Treatment Residence Programs include 3 community based residential program for youth (ages 16-21) involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Youth Services (DYS) and Department of Mental Health (DMH) who are preparing to discharge out of state, to live independently or reunify with their family. The Program is specifically designed to simulate experience of living independently in the community. All goals and treatment for participating youth are individualized and determined by the youth and their treatment team. A youth within the program may be identified to progress to the CFP’s Independent Living Program in order to further life skill development and increase chance of success as they discharge out of state care.
Program sites are located in the Greater Boston Region. CFP currently maintains 3 GH1:4 sites; 2 female sites and 1 male site.
Learning Independence by Fostering Empowerment (LIFE)
LIFE is a community based residential program contracted by the Department of Youth Services (DYS) for young men (ages16-21) who are working transitioning into the community and or preparing to discharge out of DYS care. The Program is specifically designed to simulate experience of living independently in the community. All goals and treatment for participating youth are individualized and determined by the youth and his treatment team. As youth make progress in the program their treatment team may present an opportunity for them to live in one of the programs apartment units. These apartment units are designed to present the youth with an increased level of individual responsibility while still possessing program supports.
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Independent Living Program provide services to youth involved with Massachusetts Department of Children and Family (DCF) and Department of Youth Services (DYS). The goal of the program is to equip youth with the skills needed to maintain themselves independently in the community. The program accepts referrals of youth ages 18 through 22.
The program serves youth who have shown progress in community-based residential programs and for whom reunification with family or other lifelong connections in not appropriate or available and adoption is not an option.
Youth will reside in one of the unsupervised apartments provided by the program and assigned an outreach worker who will facilitate the youth’s services while in the program. Youth admitted into the program will be expected to pursue the goals they have identified and comply with their Voluntary Placement Agreement or Terms of Commitment.
COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
This program is designed to provide flexible supports for youth of any age, who live in any setting with a variety of service needs. This highly individualized program assigns youth an Outreach worker who can assist youth in transition either returning home to adjust to family life, or leaving foster care for independence and needing additional supports. The program seeks to provide supports for 3– 6 months, while focused on building long term and permanent supports for the youth.