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Family Based Treatment
Begun in July 1988 and funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the Harbour Program recruits and trains capable and qualified Professional Parent families from the Ulster County area. After careful screening, the families attend a mandatory six-session, 18-hour Parenting Skills Training Program developed especially to prepare them to serve as part of the treatment program in therapeutic family-based care.
The program is designed to serve conduct-disordered children and youth with significant behavior problems who need to acquire better self-control and learn new social or self-help skills. Children up to 18 years of age can be accepted. However, studies show that children age 10 and under gain the most from this type of treatment. The program admits children and youth of any race, color, national or ethnic origin. Referrals are accepted from the Department of Social Services, hospitals, school systems, residential treatment facilities and occasionally, from private sources.
Because the high level of involvement required of the Professional Parents, reimbursement/settlement is much greater than provided in traditional foster care. In addition, families receive professional support from a Family Specialist professionally equipped to adapt behavior management to the family setting. The Family Specialist also provides emotional support to the families and continuous in-service "on-the-job" training. To insure a successful transition back to the natural home, the Specialist also works with the biological parents, teaching them effective behavior management skills, while supplying necessary support and encouragement.
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