The Site Visit Report Kimber Van Zile BSHS 312 September 11, 2011 Linda Pagenkopf Site Visit Report The Salvation Army (also known as ARC) is a facility that helps individuals that are suffering from any type of chemical addiction and helps with temporary housing for those who are going through the program. The Salvation Army offers a variety of programs that do not single out one type of population, but they help and support a variety of populations.
Their main target to focus on are those who suffer from substance abuse or chemical dependency. This program is not just a 12 step program that pushes people through. They help them focus and walk them through the importance of the steps, and helps them build a relationship with God through the program. They also require that their clients maintain a presentable appearance, as well as attend church on Sundays, bible study on Wednesdays and they must attend anonymous classes through out the week. (Salvation, Army, 2011)
As previously mentioned, the target populations for these programs are for those who suffer from substance abuse and or chemical dependency that keeps them from finding employment, out of jail, and with their families. Although there are programs through other centers that provide such help for this certain population, but the Salvation Army is different from other addiction programs in so many positive ways. Most of their treatment options are available to those on demand without a waiting period. This facility has clients who graduate from a 6 month program to a 12 month program.
The program managers and directors of the individual programs present the programs that the Salvation Army offers. Once the programs have met the requirements of the board, they are present to the Substance abuse counselors one and two who’ve been trained and are able to help those who are suffering from chemical and substance abuse. These Substance abuse counselors are responsible for their behavioral training. Once a client enters into a program feedback is provided on his behaviors through the documented notes from the counselor.
If at any time there is doubt or reason in regards to certain clients in the behavior report, an intervention will then take place with that client and will be reported to his or her supervisors, caseworker, or counselor. In certain situations involving an intervention the following procedures are sought out in a timely and professional manner; after reporting an intervention, they will follow up on the plan the following day, after confronting their client/patient he will be unable to receive another negative report for 30 days based on his behavior if it doesn’t not improve then the client will be removed from the program.
He will or would be able to re-apply to accepted into the program after 30 days from being discharged. The Salvation Army is a program that is only for Men and they are not allowed to have any women visitors inside the building. This facility keeps them on lock down for a brief amount of time, and with time awarded they are then able to have day passes, once their behavior continues and the are getting through the program they are then able to have weekend passes to go and visit their families.
This program is a very supportive program that helps their clients get through the trials and tribulations in life that are brought to them. They help them address the situations they are having trouble with and gives them ways to work around the problem, rather then relying and suppressing the feelings with a drug or chemical substance. Every client at the Salvation Army depending upon his situation has a behavioral plan and whatever the client’s needs and goals are, they are there to help them to pursue and focus on their goals and help them be ambitious in life.
Once a client enters the program he will have a one-on-one session to with a counselor to see where they are at in their life and where they want to be. The clients here at the Salvation Army are either ordered by court, social workers, or on their own. Once they are in the program they will undergo an assessment to determine where they should focus on, as well as create a treatment plan. After completion of the first week their treatment plan will be discussed weekly to keep them positive and pressing forward to make their treatment plan a successful one.
The Salvation Army is a very strict program and the completion rate is very high. I asked a man as he was leaving with his family what he thought of the program. As he stood there with his counselor and peers from the program he smiled. He looked down and then looked back over to his counselor with admiration in his eyes he said “I couldn’t have done this with out the continuous support from him. ” He went on to say that the program was very hard and they were very strict but they showed him how to be strong and have faith in God.
With that being said the counselor smiled and said ” It makes me happy to see that they are leaving here with a smile on their face and their families behind them. This is what this job and this program is all about to help those in need and who want to change. This program is very aware of the cognitive behavior therapy process and provides their clients with coping mechanisms and skill training so that they can develop behavioral and cognitive skills so that they are able to deal with any challenge that may come their way in the program and after they leave the program.
The treatment at this facility as well as others will enable people to remain abstinent from the use of addiction that they were so used to using in their everyday life and will help them regain a productive role in their communities. ( Salvation Army, 2011) Before conducting this interview I had no idea how many programs were available to those who were suffering. I didn’t know all that was put into this organizations but now after doing research and speaking with employees, counselors, and those attending the program I appreciate these places a lot more.
It is nice to know and to spread the word for those who have been through the program to refer others that may need the help that they have received. The Salvation Army understands the people they are serving and is willing to look past their mistakes and wants to help them get better in all aspects of their life. References Kimber A Van Zile (personal communication, September 7, 2011) The Salvation Army. (2011). Retrieved from http://www. choosehelp. com/california
