Response Program
The Response Program opened in 1989 to assist communities in providing care for youth within their communities. Youth referred to the Response Program typically have behavioural difficulties as a primary issue. We are very encouraged by the results of the program evaluations which show the intervention to be effective in caring for youth with persistent difficulties at home, school and in their communities.
The Response Program develops a Care Plan individualized for each youth. There are several options for this process. Many youth live at the Maples while the Care Plan is being prepared while some live at the Maples during the week and return home on weekends. While in residence, youth are provided with educational services through the Maples Secondary School. Care Plans usually take four weeks to develop.
There is also a non-residential option for youth living in the Lower Mainland. This allows the youth to remain living at home during the assessment process and only visit the Maples to meet with relevant professionals.
The Care Plan describes the dynamics of the youth's life in a generalized manner aimed at increasing the family’s and community’s understanding of that youth. Based on the assessment information, the Care Plan then suggests strategies for adults to use in assisting the youth's development in a variety of areas (i.e. school, work, health, social relationships, etc.).
The Response Program makes a long-term commitment to the youth, their family and community. A Care Plan Consultant is assigned to each Care Plan that is developed at the Maples. The Care Plan Consultant role is to assist the youth, family, and community professionals in better understanding the Care Plan document itself and to help problem solve challenges that arise in carrying out its recommendations. In addition, the Care Plan Consultant can negotiate periods of planned respite for the youth at the Maples. The Care Plan Consultant is the on-going contact at the Maples for the youth, their family, and community professionals until the youth’s 19th birthday.
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