Family Interview
Information | Basic
Requirements for Admission
Intake Procedures and
Requirements | Statement of
Admission Policy
Suspension Policy | Termination
Policy
Where to get an application
Wediko Children's Services conducts a three-part family interview process with senior staff members and your family in order to determine goodness-of-fit. We emphasize the goodness-of-fit model in order to ensure a successful working relationship and to maximize the potential for your child to have a very successful experience here. This is also to ensure that Wediko and the families we work with both understand, share ideas and agree about the treatment goals established so that all are working toward a common goal. The real commitment that we ask a child and family to make is to the idea that they want to work to make their lives different.
First Interview: The family will receive a general tour of the setting, school and dorms and have basic questions about the treatment program answered. Following this, the family will meet with a senior clinician to ask questions and listen to a presentation of the treatment program. We also encourage your participation in these meetings as an opportunity to interview us. We may also address any issues and concerns of a more in-depth nature. We suggest that the family leave and review what they have learned that day. If interested in pursuing the next step in the interview process, they may contact us for their next scheduled appointment.
Second Interview: Family information and history gathered using our intake form. We ask the child and family to be able to identify areas they wish to work on and areas of strength already existing within the family structure. We will also assess with the child and family their level of commitment to program expectations and their ability to be flexible around change.
Third Interview: More in-depth discussion and review of previous interview with the possibility of gathering more information, clarifying already existing information and a continuous review of where all members are at in the process. The third interview might resemble what a typical family therapy session is like, with the focus on dynamic interaction between family members.
At this point, Wediko may schedule any additional appointments as needed.
Family Interview
Information | Basic
Requirements for Admission
Intake Procedures and
Requirements | Statement of
Admission Policy
Suspension Policy | Termination
Policy
Where to get an application
Any seriously emotionally disturbed boy between the ages of 8-18 is considered for admission to Wediko's Winter Program.
To be an applicant, the child must present a multiple problem picture to school and family. Significant disruption in spheres of educational function, social interaction and individual mastery must be observed. Essentially all applicants must meet requirements of being seriously, emotionally disturbed.
Chronic schizophrenia, autism and significant inability to process verbal information rule out applicants.
Intake Procedures and Requirements:
For any referred child to reach the formal intake interview(s) process, the entire application package must be filled out. A completed application consists of:
Parent/guardian application form for child;
Teacher form filled out by child's teacher;
Therapist form filled out by child's clinician (if one is involved).
Once the entire set of applications has been logged in, the application will be screened for appropriateness.
If the child is viewed as a reasonable candidate, the application package is routed to a supervisor who arranges for the intake interview(s).
Prior to or during the interview, each referring parent or guardian will receive a package of materials which includes the agency's brochure, types of services, treatment strategies, skill based activities, descriptions of daily routines, admissions criteria, statements of parents and student rights, health care statements and releases, statements of termination policy, statements of discipline and behavior management, statements as to contractual obligations for payment of services, and a combined statement of religious practices, visiting schedules and contact telephone numbers. Finally, the parent/guardian receives a descriptive statement as to procedures for filing complaints.
If the child is viewed as a potential candidate, an initial interview is scheduled where parent and child are encouraged to visit and review the setting.
If the family evaluates Wediko's program positively after their review, child and parents then participate in an extensive interview process where problems are identified, an initial behavioral contract is formulated and objectives are developed.
The child must state his desire to participate in the program and parents must articulate their willingness to participate in weekly family work.
Tuition support must be verified in writing.
Family Interview
Information | Basic
Requirements for Admission
Intake Procedures and
Requirements | Statement of
Admission Policy
Suspension Policy | Termination
Policy
Where to get an application
Statement of Admission Policy:
Two integral aspects of the Wediko residential program exert a dominant influence on the policies for student admission as well as suspension an termination. first, Wediko is an intensive, planned, time-limited psycho educational treatment and diagnostic facility.
Given the time-limited nature of diagnosis and treatment in the Wediko setting, the agency has generated a stringent admissions policy to insure that students and families understand the program and the demands involved. similar care is devoted to explaining the conditions for suspension and termination. The second essential factor is that Wediko emphasizes small group learning opportunities, including daily group treatment, as the primary intervention format. Thus, composition factors are critical for each of the living/treatment groups. Admissions criteria therefore must consider group composition needs as well as individual student needs. Suspension procedures are designed to protect the therapeutic viability of each group.
Family Interview
Information | Basic
Requirements for Admission
Intake Procedures and
Requirements | Statement of
Admission Policy
Suspension Policy | Termination
Policy
Where to get an application
Suspension Policy
The possibility that any student may be suspended or terminated is introduced explicitly during the interview process. The interviewer emphasizes that a student will be suspended only if: 1. he threatens the welfare of self or others and 2. on-site application and interventions have been exhausted. Wediko stresses that full and accurate application and interview data provides the most effective means to minimize the risk of suspension/termination. Finally, the parent or guardian must sign the Suspension/Termination Form if they wish to have their child attend Wediko's residential program. Please note that external suspensions will not be used for students in the custody of the Division for children, Youth and Families.
In summary: suspension is used only when prolonged crisis conditions exist for a given child which threatens his welfare and the integrity of functioning of the child's group. Suspension only occurs when the child is conferenced and determined unamenable to the available treatment approaches the setting offers. At the end of the suspension period, a conference is held involving all agencies, parents and often the child. A decision is made regarding the next phase of the child's placement at the generation of contracts regarding child, parent and sending agency responsibilities and scheduling of future consultation or meeting times. All revisions of Wediko's programming to facilitate student progress will be put into writing.
Family Interview
Information | Basic
Requirements for Admission
Intake Procedures and
Requirements | Statement of
Admission Policy
Suspension Policy | Termination
Policy
Where to get an application
Termination Policy
Termination is considered after all other indicated alternatives have been exhausted. Termination from the facility occurs when a child has not responded to suspension, becomes acutely psychotic, or continues to threaten harm to self and/or others or sets fires. In the event of termination, written notification is provided to the parents, sending SAU, LEA and other involved parties.
You may download them here:
Parent | Teacher
| Therapist
or by mail:
Contact:
Rand Lounsbury, M.Ed.
Admissions Coordinator
Wediko Children's Services
603-478-5236 Ext. 203
11 Bobcat Boulevard
Windsor, NH 03244