Hamilton House Program Statement

     Marathon Youth Services, Inc. has been providing quality services to adolescents and families of the greater Marathon County area since 1978. Those services have frequently included treatment of individuals experiencing mental health and other developmental disabilities. Often, our services have included assisting struggling young adults make the difficult transition to independent living, or continued assisted living. This experience has heightened our interest in providing continuing services to this adult population. It is for that reason that MYS offers some residential and treatment options.

     Drawing from the strength of 30 years of experience in providing residential and treatment services to residents and families, MYS offers the same regimen of services to adult residents, as well as to their involved family and significant others. Also, we recognize that the residential needs of adults are generally more long term, and are prepared to make extended commitments to residents. However, we maintain the same modality we have developed with a juvenile population, always ready to meet the current needs of the client and work with them to broaden their options and enhance their independence. Flexibility continues to be our hallmark.

     With those principles in mind, MYS provides residential living and related services for four (4) adults in a home-like atmosphere, supervised at all times by adult care staff. Hamilton House, located at 617 Hamilton Street, Wausau, WI is able to easily accommodate four residents. However, the actual facility is only the beginning of a full range of services MYS provides these residents.

     Through the years of providing residential and counseling services, MYS has developed an approach to involve the families of residents in their daily lives and activities of the program. We have been able to provide family counseling services geared toward family reconciliation. While actual reconciliation is not the primary goal with this adult population, MYS utilizes the same principles and techniques to enhance the opportunities available to the residents. We believe that family bonds are critically important to the ongoing stability and mental health of everyone. Furthermore, families are often in the best position to provide support and encouragement to the resident in their efforts to attain higher levels of independence and community adjustment. MYS has a Family Therapist on staff that provides such services and provides consultation to residential care staff.

     Upon placement into any facility of Marathon Youth Services, a mental health assessment may be requested. A report of findings and recommendations would be provided to the placing agency. That assessment is conducted by a Mental Health Therapist, on staff with MYS. This assessment will include a thorough review of any and all available historical information.

     In addition the original Individual Service Plan and written Assessment will be developed and completed for each resident within 30 days after placement. Marathon Youth Services will be conducting a planning and review every 6 months thereafter, or more frequently if the situation warrants. Participants in this review will be the client, placing agent, guardian, MYS personnel and any family and/or collateral providers deemed appropriate. For those residents that continue in a public educational program, school personnel may also participate. The goal will be to maintain the most appropriate programming for the resident at all times.

     Marathon Youth Services has a well-established relationship with the Wausau School District. We have been providing school liaison services to our residents for many years, and extend that service to any adult residents still involved in academic programming, wherever that programming may be. This will include daily monitoring of attendance, behavior and performance. We will also participate in any school meetings, with the agreement of the school and permission of the client and/or their guardian. While we recognize the client’s right to privacy, we firmly believe that our active participation is the surest way to a successful school experience.

     Counseling services take on the format that is most appropriate to the client. While regular group counseling is provided within the home, each resident also has the opportunity to meet individually with a certified therapist on a regular basis. Clients with AODA issues are provided in-house counseling, and also offered the option of participation in other community based support and treatment.

     Group counseling services focus on such issues as social skills training, employment skills, as well as instruction and training in skills for enhancing independent functioning and community readiness.

     Marathon Youth Services has always prided itself in community involvement and felt it important to instruct young people in “giving back” to their community. MYS continues to maintain an active Community Service Program, pairing residents with volunteer community activities that match the clients’ strengths and abilities. This has proven time and again to give residents a better appreciation and sense of belonging to their community.

     Recreational activities are seen as an important part of programming, and as opportunity to teach. It is always the goal to not only have fun, but to demonstrate healthy and socially acceptable time management. Residents are provided YMCA membership (with supervision if required), group outings to movies and restaurants, trips to water parks, as well as a range of in-house activities. Additionally, residents are given the opportunity to participate in community events, Special Olympics, fishing, camping, and traveling, dependent on the interests and abilities of the client. In the past residents have had the opportunity to be exposed to such things as ice fishing, scuba diving, and water skiing. We try to match the activity to the resident.

     All residents of Hamilton House must currently be ambulatory, with adaptations being possible for a semi-ambulatory or wheelchair resident upon request. MYS vehicles and staff provide transportation when needed, and public transportation is readily available, with city bus stops located near the home. Hamilton House is centrally located in Wausau, and within walking distance of the downtown area, Mall, and other providers of service and entertainment.

     All residents are supervised by a qualified adult care staff. The staff remain awake and available to residents 24 hours a day. Additional staff are available as needed for resident personal appointments and activities.

     With an eye to the future, MYS will always be considering what the long-term needs of its adult clients might be, not only in the coming months, but also in the years ahead. It will continue to be our intention to modify our programs to meet the lifelong needs of residents, or insure they are met through other avenues.