• Temporary Shelter Care
  Typically, this service is utilized to remove a youth from an acute crisis situation. This temporary shelter stay offers the social worker time to evaluate the immediate needs of the youth and implement a plan. The behavioral modification point system applies.
• Long Term Care
  Youth that require 24-hour awake supervision and a highly structured setting to maintain behaviorally are referred to this program. During their placement, youth work on individualized treatment plans geared towards stabilizing problematic behaviors and learning skills that will enable them to move successfully to a less restrictive living environment. The therapeutic phase system applies.
• Respite
  Some youth and families simply need a "break" so that the home environment can remain a positive environment.  Space may be reserved for specific weekends or days in order for the youth and family to take some time apart.
• Non-secure holds This is geared toward assisting counties with youth who require some sort of consequence but do not fit the criteria for secure detention.  A youth may be placed at Alpha House for 24-72 hours with no privileges to serve the consequence.
• Short-term/shelter - Usually used for stabilization or assessment.  Programming is geared to fit each individual need.

The Group Home is staffed by Resident Counselors that provide (24) hour awake supervision at a 1:4 staff to resident ratio during waking hours and 1:8 staff to resident ratio on the overnight.  The basic components of residential care include:

• Treatment
• Recreation
• Community Service
• Social and Independent Living Skills
• Education
• Family

• Each youth has individual treatment plan with measurable goals as defined by youth, family, and social worker.
• Treatment plan goals meet the following criteria:

                   ~ Issues related to an existing behavior that led to            

                      placement

                   ~ Goals can be addressed while at Alpha House       

                      either at the house or with other community agencies

• Residents participate in several weekly groups (Corrective Thinking, Positive Relationships, Independent Living, Social Issues and AODA Issues (Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction).
• Each youth has weekly 1:1 session with the Program Coordinator to review treatment goals and progress.
• Alpha House incorporates a "Phase System" where phases are earned by treatment plan progress.

               Phase I: Youth Identifies problem areas

               Phase II: Youth Explores alternatives and solutions

               Phase III: Youth Replaces old behaviors with new     

                               ones            

• At "Daily Closure" each youth evaluates their treatment goal progress for the day.
• Alpha House accesses community agencies for supplemental support

• All residents participate in some form of education.  This is determined in part by length of stay.  Short term placements, crisis or holds complete homework from their home school at Alpha House.  Longer term residents attend either Menomonie Schools, Lucas Charter School or Day Treatment.  River Falls district has the same public school, charter school or day treatment options.
• Staff maintains daily/weekly contact with the schools regarding behaviors, attendance, late or missing assignments.
• All residents participate in a study hour daily.        
• Youth are exposed daily to Independent Living Skills, explore continuing education options and may get a job                           (as appropriate).                        

• Family involvement is encouraged when appropriate.
• Home visits are planned and monitored (Contracts, Assignments, Rule Development, Education, Evaluation).

• Recreation is a vital part of our programming as it provides youth with opportunities to discover new skills and interests.
• In-house activities include: Teambuilding games, board games, art, etc.
• Community based activities include:  Hiking, fishing, canoeing, basketball, theater, roller-skating, music, fairs, etc.

• All residents participate weekly in a group community service project.
• Participation gives the youth an opportunity to see the 'bigger picture" and to meet any court-ordered requirements.
• Typical projects include:  Maintenance of Red Cedar Trail, local nursing home assistance, city streets and park pick-up, painting local homeless shelter, Christmas wrapping for needy children, etc.