Resources

Care Plan Development in the Response Program

Although there are variations on the process, the development of a Care Plan typically begins with an extensive social history collected through an interview of the parents or caregivers in the family home by a Maples Social Worker and may also include information requested from other sources such as Ministry of Children and Family files. We recognize that the telling of one’s story can be emotionally taxing for some people. Our social workers are well aware of the sensitive nature of the information being provided to them and make every effort to support the parent(s) during the interview and to present the social history at the Care Plan Development Meeting in a caring, respectful and neutral manner.

The youth’s portion of the Care Plan is made up of three reports written by a Maples psychologist, a Maples educational assessment professional and a member of our youth care staff who has been specifically assigned to the youth as their primary worker. Once a youth is admitted to a program, they are interviewed by a staff psychiatrist to ensure there are no immediate safety concerns and the youth is mentally capable to participate in the assessment. If the youth is staying at the Maples, they are also seen by a Maple’s physician for a medical check-up.

During the remainder of the youth’s time in the program, they complete a number of psychometric assessments and are interviewed by a psychologist who then completes the psychological portion of the youth’s assessment. Youth also complete a series of similar tests conducted by a educational assessment professional and their school history is reviewed and incorporated into the educational portion of the assessment. If the youth is attending the Maples school, the instructional teachers provide input to this report as well. The third report is written by the youth’s primary worker who writes about their observations of living and working with the youth at the Maples. If the youth is not in residence, the primary worker writes about their observations of time spent with the youth in their community and in their home.

Approximately four to five weeks after the youth is admitted, a Care Plan Development Meeting is held at the Maples that is attended by the youth, their parent(s), their case manager and/or other relevant community professionals, and members of Maples staff who have participated in the assessment process. Each of the staff members presents their report orally in the meeting and there is time allowed for discussion and questions that may arise.

The youth’s Care Plan is developed from the information shared in the meeting and is written by the psychiatrist chairing the meeting.  This plan is available two to three weeks after the Care Plan meeting and is designed to be a "portable" document. As youth and families often move or resources change, it cannot be written to apply to a specific community or to specific resources within the community.  Challenges in implementing the recommendations can be discussed with the Care Plan Consultant assigned to the Care Plan as it is that person’s role to assist others in understanding and adapting the Care Plan to work with available resources.

Care Plan Consultant

Care Plans can be complex. Care Plans and the Response Program are not a "quick fix" for troubled youth and their families. In light of these realities, the Maples provides Care Plan Consultants to assist service providers and care givers to better understand the Care Plans and develop interventions based on the recommendations.

Care Plan Consultants are available for consultation until the youth turns 19. They are accessible by phone and by e-mail. They can also travel to the youth's home region for important planning meetings to assist community professionals and members to better understand and use the Care Plan.

The Care Plan Consultant is the contact for negotiating respite services for the youth and for any program evaluation activities that may require contacting the youth, family, or service providers.