Yes. In fact
we encourage visits as often as possible.
Parents have stated that they have a much better
understanding and feel better after they have
actually seen the Ranch.
A.
Campus Visits/Home Visits:
During the first
two weeks a resident is on campus, he will not
be permitted any contact from his family or
friends. The purpose for this is to help him
adjust to his new environment. This rule
includes visits, phone calls, letters etc.
Limited contact will be allowed starting the
third week, depending on how well he has
adjusted. This decision shall be made jointly
by the Direct Care Staff and the Administrator
in charge. Sometimes it is more beneficial to
have contact the second week to help a resident
over some homesickness. Receiving a call from
his parents can be particularly helpful. NBR
strongly encourages family members to keep in
contact with a resident. Letters conveying news
and events about home are helpful, but negative,
angry, and hostile messages obviously have a
negative effect. Occasional parcels or small
gifts often lift spirits also. These items will
be opened in the presence of staff members.
After 2 weeks,
parents are invited and encouraged to visit
their son on campus. This will better
facilitate the parents’ understanding of our
program and give NBR a chance to know them
better.
The
following schedule for visits will be followed
unless the boy’s case manager has advised us
otherwise.
1.
The first visit by the family members will be on
the NBR Campus.
2.
During the second visit, the resident may be
allowed to spend the day in Alliance with his
parents, if it is cleared through the Ranch
office.
3. On
the third visit, the resident may be allowed to
spend the weekend in Alliance with his parents,
if it is cleared through the Ranch office. If
the parents live close enough to Alliance, and
would prefer to return home to spend the visit,
that is acceptable also. In all cases, parents
are strongly encouraged to assist NBR in
planning, by making plans for a visit, as far in
advance as possible.
B.
Off-Campus Visits:
Visits made
off-campus are to be with parents or
grandparents. Visits made off-campus with any
other family members (aunts, uncles, brothers
and sisters) must be approved by the placing
agency in advance, which is also the case for
non-family members. Once the parents have gone
through the 3 phases listed above, there is no
set limit on the number of visits by them. Only
where the visits are having a detrimental effect
on the boy’s progress will the visits be
limited. This limitation will be set by the
placing agency. There are certain visits home
we feel are very important in maintaining the
family ties. We believe the boys should be at
home for such events as Christmas, Easter,
Thanksgiving, July 4th, their
birthday and other special family activities
like reunions, graduations, etc. Of course
family emergencies will be considered on an
individual basis and usually means a home
visit. The resident’s status on the Card
Motivation System is disregarded for these
visits. The above procedures will be followed
under normal circumstances and conditions.
Exceptions to the above procedures will be
determined on an individual basis and cleared
through the Ranch office. Exceptions might
include: Emergency situations such as a death
or severe illness in the family, or situations
in which the best interest of the child and the
Service Plan call for other arrangements. NBR
will not restrict home visits because of
inappropriate behavior unless the Placement
Agency feels it is in the best interest of the
resident in question.
C.
Family Visit Arrangement Procedure and
Responsibilities:
Direct Care Staff
have responsibility for a boy’s behavior
management program. The counseling staff have
responsibility for all family services. To
prevent any communication breakdowns, or having
staff try to mix two separate areas of a boy’s
program, the procedure below will be followed:
1.
Contact a resident’s counselor immediately after
notice has been given that a family is coming to
visit.
2.
Counselors will work with the family and/or case
manager to develop an itinerary for the visit.
Again, no behaviors or restrictions should
influence the terms of the visit unless the
placement agency and family agree. This is not
NBR policy – it is a contract requirement.
3.
Counselors will submit a written itinerary to
campus
administration before the visit.
The only deviation from the itinerary will occur
if the family is late. If the family is late,
the resident will then begin the visit as
designated by the itinerary
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