HOTR utilizes a number of programs and modalities to address the complex trauma our youth have experienced. One model is Trauma Focused CBT. This is an evidenced based approach that incorporates trauma sensitive techniques into cognitive behavioral interventions. The specific interventions are designed to assist residents on an individual basis in learning new skills or strategies in order to better process throughs and feelings related to traumatic life events. Residents are referred into this program by the treatment team and then assessed by TF-CBT therapist for appropriateness.
Another modality that our clinicians are trained in is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This modality is showing very promising results when dealing with complex trauma. We also have clinicians trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. This is similar to EMDR, but designed to gain desired results in a shorter amount of time.
HOTR offers experiential programs that address trauma by healing through relationship experiences including but not limited to:
- Equine Assisted Interventions including Equine Assisted Growth and Learning (on ground equine activities), Rhythmic Riding, T-Touch horse massage, Horse Packing, and Equine Driving.
- Canine Assisted Interventions which involve our youth working with rescue dogs to train in basic obedience, and socialization. Our youth then are involved in placing the dogs in forever family homes.
- Adventure Therapies where our youth prepare with their peers for 8 weeks to learn skills related to communication, boundaries, stress tolerance and many more in preparation to take a trip where they can put to use the skills they have learned leading up to the capstone trip.
- Games Group consists of youth working together to find resiliency, team work, creative thought, independent thinking to oustmart the facilitator in verbal game.
- Self Defense is a hands-on course aimed to empower residents and better prepare them for an emergency should they find themselves in an unsafe situation.
HOTR offers a number of researched interventions that are evidenced based including but not limited to Girls Circle (addresses issues face daily in all settings), Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse (CBISA, drug and alcohol program), Social Emotional Learning, and Aggression Replacement Therapy (anger management).
HOTR specializes in treatment for children who have been sexually exploited or trafficked. We run several programs aimed at breaking this cycle including Ending the Game, Rhythmic Riding, and My Life My Choice. HOTR works with these youth to identify the coercion techniques used to get them in this lifestyle, and identify way to escape it.
As stated earlier, HOTR does offer a number of different daily opportunities to work in various aspects of the farm and ranch lifestyle. As an operating farm and ranch, HOTR is able to provide our youth the opportunity to experience all aspects of cattle ranching, machine and vehicle maintenance, construction, animal husbandry, and landscaping. Through meaningful work programs, Home On The Range residents learn skills and develop a sense of responsibility, pride, and achievement. Residents earn a weekly bonus according to individual job initiative and performance. This type of “real world” training allows residents to experience the rewards and consequences of employment, while allowing them opportunities to learn job skills under trained supervision. HOTR works to also provide our youth a balance of normalcy, as well as open our youth to prosocial activities they may not have experienced, or not have taken advantage of. Our youth are given the opportunity to go to movies, roller and ice skating, fishing and ice fishing, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, biking, sledding, play softball, basketball, golf and so much more. We want our youth to experience new fun activities and take with them the joy they found while being sober.
HOTR embraces the whole person, mind body and soul. We encourage our youth the opportunity to experience spiritual growth during their time with us. We have a Pastoral Assistant on campus who provides each youth with a spiritual development plan which may include bible study or prayer groups, Native Development group, individual sessions, attendance at weekly chapel events, or guest speakers. We work with our youth to continue this journey post discharge, by making every attempt to connect them to services in their community that will lend to furthering their spiritual development.
Youth who have experienced sexual exploitation or trafficking programming
HOTR offers programming specifically for youth who have been exploited or trafficked. We have gained statewide attention for this programming. We provide several groups that are evidenced based, or promising practices in working with these youth including Girls Circle, My Life My Choice, and Ending the Game. We also work with the youth doing experiential work with horses and dogs to work out their complex relationship issues that have often plagued their lives for years. We address their trauma affected brains by doing bottom up programming. This refers to programming that aims to improve youths abilities to regulate and develop more control over internal operations including heart rate, breathing, and speech rate. By doing this, the youth is better able to regulate their flight, fight and/or flee responses. This is done prior to cognitive programming to better equip the youth to handle challenging conversations.
For example, we conduct a Rhythmic Riding group that involves the youth riding bareback in a circle to music. Between songs, a brief meditation, relaxation exercise or guided meditation is conducted. The music begins again, and the youth walk in a circle in the opposite direction. The youth are told they have only one job – to make the rhythm of the music, match the rhythm of their body, match the rhythm of their horse. As youth, progress in this program, they typically display improvements of stress tolerance, internal regulation and ability to relax, that are evident to the naked eye. They key then, becomes transitioning this skill, this improved ability to self-regulate, to settings outside of the arena.
Animal Assisted Interventions
Animal Assisted Interventions include both Equine Assisted programs and Canine Assisted programs. All animal assisted therapy provides our youth the opportunity to address treatment goals, often related to their experiences in relationships, in a safe setting where therapy does not feel like therapy. Through specific models and approaches, including but not limited to EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), Natural Lifemanship/Rhythmic Riding, mule driving programs, and some therapeutic riding and the work with rescue dogs. Our youth are exposed to several hands on, nontraditional forms of therapy that keep the youth and facilitator in the moment. This is often a very effective model for youth who have failed in other more traditional models of therapy. The youth typically engage easily and look forward to working with the animals.
Adventure Therapy is experiential therapy approach where members are able to learn to work through their trauma based challenges through outdoor and healthy living activities (i.e. cooking and exercise). The program includes capstone events that are designed to teach skills such as learning how to use a camp stove, build a tent, and pack a backpack, as well as practice hikes and overnight trips in the local National Park before embarking on a more challenging back country camping trip. This group focuses on teaching communication and social skills through team based initiatives, forethought and organization through planning and preparing one-day and multiple-day backpacking trips. Emotional regulation and mindfulness are addressed through challenging tasks such as climbing a rock wall, martial arts and a high ropes course while personal responsibility and self-esteem are enhanced through capstone events.
Strengthening Family Workshop program utilizes a systems approach to assist families in identifying their strengths and challenges. It consists of a multi-family group setting with Home On The Range social worker(s), residential specialist, and therapists. The workshop is dedicated to working with each family in a client-driven manner to address the family’s issues and progress. The workshop is utilized by youth and families in all stages of placement. The families gain support and learn from one another.
Additional programs provided to the residents of Home On The Range:
Life Skills is a cooperative group program with Beach High School and is designed for youth ages 16-18. It includes several activities, resources, and speakers to address areas including but not limited to housing, employment, insurance, budgeting, community resources and safety. There is a primary focus on both college and career planning as well.
Life Skills Youth is also a cooperative group program with Beach High School offered to females ages 13-15. This group explores the hierarchy of needs and discusses topics including dating, hygiene, peer relations, and job applications. This group can be modified to best meet the needs of the residents in these clients in these general areas.
Drug and Alcohol Services: Our drug and alcohol program is a combination of abstinence based, non-abstinence based, support group, and education. The platform is a 12-week program with youth who are working on making changes, being able to continue in the support group for as long as they want.
Components of the drug and alcohol program are:
~Stages of Change
~Harm Reduction vs. Abstinence
~Goals
~Pharmacology
~Cues, Triggers, Coping Skills
~Sex Education
~Family History
~Legal Issues/Responsibility
~Co-occurring Disorders
~Strength/Family Support/Connection
~Long Term Plans/Commitment to Change
~Independent Living
~Cultural Differences
~Relapse Prevention