Program Description:
Serves youth ages 10-17 who are runaway, homeless, or in some state of
crisis. (Including youth who are involved in the juvenile and child
protection systems.) Referrals are accepted from a variety of sources
including, youth, parents, schools, concerned friends, state and
national runaway hotlines, law enforcement, Child Protective Services,
local Juvenile Departments, the Texas Youth Commission, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, youth or social service agencies.
Residential shelter for voluntary placement for up to 30 days, with
on-site support services.
Eligibility:
Youth ages 10-17 who are runaway, homeless, or in some state of crisis.
(Including youth who are involved in the juvenile and child protection
systems.)
Other important
information:
Casa provides the following shelter programs for youth in residence:
Life Skills Education - training on daily living skills such as vocational choices, social interaction, goal setting and good health practices.
Academic Education - the educational status of each youth is assessed and in individual academic plan is designed and implemented. The plan may include attendance at public school, homebound studies at Casa, or G.E.D. training.
Support Group - Staff and trained volunteers facilitate structured groups to encourage youth to explore new ideas and behaviors. Topics include: substance abuse, sexual abuse, anger management, coping skills and relationships.
Individual, Group, and Family Therapy: A qualified therapist assists families in the resolution of conflicts by working towards shared solutions. Individual therapy is provide for those resident whose needs require an individual focus; Group therapy is provided weekly for all residents including an adventure based challenge course group (1x monthly). Family therapy is provided to youth and their families while they are in residence at the shelter, but can be continued after the youth returns home.
Case Management - A Case Manager assesses each youth's individual needs, and develops and intervention strategy (Care Plan) which includes input from parents, youth, involved agencies and staff. These strategies are updated and shared with all staff weekly. Case Managers act as advocates to ensure appropriate placement for youth after leaving Casa. Whenever appropriate, Casa's goal is to reunite youth with their families.
Volunteers - Volunteer Staff assist in providing supervision, support and guidance to the residents as they participate in program activities.
Recreation - Casa's location on Bachman Lake offers numerous recreational activities. In addition to outdoor sports, residents attend many different activities throughout the Metroplex including spectator sports and performing arts events. All residents have access to the Downtown YMCA with staff supervision.
Youth participate in the completion of daily chores within the facility which include assisting in the preparation and clean-up of all meals, cleaning the various rooms in the facility, assisting with decorations of the bulletin boards. Youth provide feedback on their perceptions of the program on a monthly basis.
Youth have access to health care through the services of a Volunteer Nurse (a professor of Nursing as the Baylor School of Nursing), and Parkland Hospital and their outreach mobile medical clinic. In case of an emergency, an ambulance can be called.
All basic shelter, food and medical needs can be met a the Shelter facility. Additional referrals may be made to other agencies providing specialized services.
Referral Contact
Information
Office phone: 214-354-4504
Website:
click
here
Address:
2640 Webb Chapel Extension
Dallas, TX 75220