I am learning responsibilities. I can talk about my problems, so it s not a cloud over my head. I can heal. Who we are The Ranch Ehrlo Society is a charitable organization dedicated to providing a range of quality assessment, treatment, education, support, and community services that improve the lives of children, youth, and their families. Reporting on our residents success at Ranch Ehrlo Society is a major hallmark of the agency. This report presents a summary of resident outcomes at Ranch Ehrlo Society for the period June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014. It is the agency s ninth annual outcome report but the third year using Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) software (managed by Social Solutions Inc). 1
Resident satisfaction with services at Ranch Ehrlo in 2014 Residential care The residential programs of the agency provide residents with a structured experience to meet individual needs and develop skills for successful independent living. The agency operates several group-living resources in Regina, Pilot Butte, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon. As well, the agency has structured independent living and supported independent living programs designed to meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities in Regina. From June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014, the Ranch residential treatment program served 312 youth. There were 146 residents discharged during this time period: Average length of stay was 18 months, down from 18.5 months last year 57% of discharged residents were 16 years of age or older, 41% were ages 11 to 15, while 2% were younger than 11 57% of the discharged residents were First Nation 54% of discharged residents at the Ranch were male (-11% change from last year) and 46% were female (+11% change from last year) Placement after the Ranch If you have a problem you can talk about it and they understand. If you have a family problem, they help... No other place could provide the quality of life he has at (the Ranch). Parent, 2014 Parent Feedback Survey 2
Youth issues at admission 85% of youth attained part or all of their goals in 2013/2014 Reasons for service at the Ranch All residents at the Ranch have a needs assessment completed when they arrive. The graph above lists the main issues identified for why youth come to the Ranch. Once identified, this helps staff, youth, and parents determine treatment targets and goals. These issues stabilize or improve as residents work toward attaining their goals and address the issues that brought them to the Ranch. How our programs help youth address problems Ranch Ehrlo programs and services are designed to enhance the well-being of individuals and their families through the provision of holistic, psychosocial therapies, that lead to improved social and emotional functioning. The guiding principles of program design include: Strive towards normalcy as an operational expectation Whenever possible, community based Address the specific needs of the resident Utilize relationship and therapeutic support as part of the nurturing process Build on a balanced perspective that includes work, education, recreation, and therapy 3
Community involvement Volunteerism is emphasized at Ranch Ehrlo as it teaches youth how to build healthy relationships and helps to reintegrate them into their communities. Youth spent a great deal of time in their communities volunteering at events such as Relay for Life, community barbecues, and local sport leagues. A number of youth also fundraised for back-to-school supplies for the children in their neighbourhood. Child and adolescent functioning One of the primary goals of the Ranch is improved psychosocial functioning for residents. In order to measure progress in this area for youth, the Ranch uses the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). The CAFAS measures the degree of impairment in youth with emotional, behavioural, psychiatric, psychological, or substance abuse problems. CAFAS scores range from 0 to 240, with higher scores indicating more severe impairments in functioning. The average CAFAS score for our youth at their initial assessment was 134. The average score after their most recent assessment was 77. The decreases in scores are significant and indicate that the functioning of our youth has improved within the structured, nurturing, and supportive environments at the Ranch. CAFAS scores then and now You can join sports, you can do volunteer work...it helps you bring yourself up higher. 86% of residents (202 youth) showed meaningful improvement in their CAFAS score in 2013/2014. 4
Our philosophy We believe residents do the best they can when provided with safe and accepting environments, warm, trusting, and nurturing relationships, and fun, therapeutic and educational activities. We rate how well we do with these three core supports every day. Our results are below: Staff view Staff daily rating on relationships with youth Youth view Youth rating on whether staff try to help them when they are having problems 66% of daily staff reports indicate environment and program activities are mostly or very effective at meeting resident needs. I like how Ranch Ehrlo gets kids off the streets and gives them food and a home and a caseworker to talk about feelings and culture. 5
Most youth coming to Ranch Ehrlo have had little success in school. Frustration and failure have often led to anger or withdrawal. As a result, they are no longer interested in learning. To meet this challenge, the agency provides structured educational environments within Ranch-operated Schaller, Hansen, and Ellen Gunn education centres located on our three campuses: Pilot Butte, Buckland, and Corman Park. Schaller Education Centre As students progress and their behaviours change, they are moved to classrooms in city schools under the supervision of a teacher and an assistant employed by the Ranch. This provides opportunity for students to adjust to what will be required in a regular school. The only difference in these classrooms is that the number of students is kept small in order to provide more individual attention to each student. Student achieve success Emily* showed great determination and responsibility when she transitioned from Ranch Ehrlo s Ellen Gunn Education Centre to a mainstream school. She worked hard and achieved her secondary school diploma in June. Emily overcame many personal and academic challenges over the course of her education; she successfully finished her courses, completed a work placement, and earned numerous awards over the course of her studies. Post-secondary education is now on the horizon for Emily, as she considers a career in health care. * name changed Over 93% of discharged students met or exceeded their education goals. Student issues at admission Student satisfaction with the educational services at Ranch Ehrlo He is better off with the Ranch. It has helped him to excel. Parent, 2014 Parent Feedback Survey 6
Family programs highlights Our family programs work to prevent the placement of children out of their home, assist families to reunite after having a child in care, or provide family based care for children. 83 families and over 150 children served in 2014 65% of families were reunified in the Family Treatment Program 81% of out-of-home placement was prevented in the Intensive Family Preservation Program 119 children remained safely with their families One family s success As a single mom, Raylene lived her life for her children. She attended school and held a full-time job, but her world came crashing down when her youngest daughter was killed. Raylene turned to alcohol and her life unraveled losing her children to Child Protection Services. After years of substance abuse, Raylene began the process of recovery. She slowly worked at getting her children back, beginning contact and supervised visits. Raylene and her children were referred to Ranch Ehrlo s Family Treatment Program (FTP). Family treatment workers provided Raylene with parenting skills, coping skills, and resources to support her recovery and the family s reunification. Raylene and her children are now living together, in a healthy environment. We are very grateful for the help we received from (the Ranch) and for having this wonderful therapist be a part of our family for that time. Parent, Family Treatment Program Programs for persons with developmental disabilities Ranch Ehrlo Society s programs for persons with developmental disabilities provide residential, educational, and vocational programs to people with multiple, complex, developmental needs. The focus in our three programs is to provide long-term residential support and to develop individualized treatment programs based on principles of social integration and normalization, and in some cases provide residents with an opportunity to develop skills to live more independently in their community. 90 children, youth, and adults served in 2014 Over 93% of daily participation ratings indicate residents responded well or exceeded individualized expectations Achieving and succeeding A 24-year-old young man worked toward his dreams of becoming a competitive athlete when he joined the Special Olympics in 2008. Now, six years later, he wears his accomplishments proudly with ribbons decorating his track suit and medals hanging from his neck. The client, who is a part of the Supported Independent Living Program (SILP), worked extremely hard, displaying self-discipline, determination, and commitment as he headed to the National Special Olympics held in Vancouver this year. The young man achieved his goals, walking away from the Nationals with three bronze medals and many new friendships. 7
Six month follow ups Follow-up is completed with residents to see how well they are doing six months after leaving the Ranch. The information is collected by our clinical caseworkers and personal development workers through a structured phone interview with former residents, parents, and/or case managers. In 2013-2014, we have been able to gather outcome information for approximately half of our discharged residents (53%). Where are former residents living after leaving the Ranch? 36% (last year 61%) of residents are living with family or extended family 32% (last year 14%) of the residents are living on their own 6% (last year 10%) of the residents are living in a secure custody facility How are they getting along with family, peers, and the community? 96% (last year 88%) of parents, youth and workers report positive to very positive relationships with parents or peers 44% (last year 41%) of residents described as having moderate to high involvement in recreational and/or community activities 81% (last year 68%) of discharged residents neither charged nor convicted of a criminal offense The average CAFAS total score at six months is 72 She makes better choices and handles her feelings better... Parent, 2014 Parent Feedback Survey I have learned my mind here, ready to go to the real world... Are they attending school? 43% (last year 69%) of residents under the age of 16 were attending school or vocational programming Are they living a substance abuse free life? 57% (last year 58%) of residents rated as having No or Minimal Impairment on CAFAS Substance Abuse Scale 34% (last year 29%) report abusing substances weekly or more Are they working? 16% (last year 25%) of residents working part or full time How satisfied are you that your child has been helped? 6% higher than 2013 2014 resident survey 2014 parent survey 8
Quality improvement is a priority at the Ranch Ehrlo Society. Since its inception, the agency has embraced a philosophy of quality management in the delivery of its programs and services. Quality improvement is agency-wide and includes every aspect of the residential treatment, education, vocational, family, and early learning programs. Performance and outcomes expectations and achievements are reviewed by employees and external stakeholders through the distribution of annual publications such as this Performance Outcome Report. This report was prepared by David Rivers & Don McEwen P (306) 781-1800 This information can be downloaded from www.ehrlo.com 9 Box 570, Pilot Butte, SK