PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The healing centre is a residential place of healing for First Nation Youth, ages 12 to 17, who are challenged with solvent addiction. The program maintains a philosophy of traditional Native teachings and healing practices. The treatment program is comprised of the following:

• Assessment and Treatment Planning
• A treatment program of Individual & Group Counselling, Therapy, Recreation using Western Methods and Native Traditional Practice
• Learning Centre & Work Placements
• Nutrition Program
• Health Care
• Aftercare Planning and follow-up
• Community Education & Training
  

The program has run as a six (6) month, gender specific intake since 1999. In January of 2003, the organization implemented a pilot program change from a six month to a four month program and reduced the maximum number of youth per intake from 12 to 9 youth. Out patient treatment services are offered on an individual client by client basis and are determined by NNHC's human resources and client need.

There are now 3 intakes per year; January to April, May to August, and September to December. Each of the 3 intakes alternate gender. The critical success indicators that are being monitored for the pilot program are:

• program completion rates,
• property damage & serious occurrence rates,
• program participation rates,
• learning centre achievements,
• satisfaction with treatment,
• and follow-up data regarding health maintenance.
  

The data from the 6 month program would form the baseline by which the outcomes of the four month model would be measured. That is, the program changes would be expected to maintain current program achievements at minimum and comparatively should not fall below the client outcomes of the six month model. This annual report includes the preliminary findings of the first, four month group.

The first group is not finished with their program until the next fiscal year, April 2003. The results of the pilot program will be presented in next years annual report.