Smoke signals., May 01, 1990, Page Page 12, Image 12

Smoke Signals May .1990 Page 12
Nanitch Sahallie Feature
By Brent Merrill
The following article is part two of a three part
feature scries about the Tribe's youth residential
treatment center, Nanitch Sahallie. Part two of
this scries will focus on the transitional living
component of the treatment process as well as
some of the center's employees and what their
functions are.
Transitional Living Component
rl Making the adjustment back into the main stream of
life can be very difficult for youths who have just spent
from 30 to 90 days in the safe, nurturing environment of
a treatment facility. And, when the time comes to test
those newly learned skills in the harsh environment of
the real world, things can get pretty scary no matter
what age you are.
At Nanitch Sahallie, clients participating in the treat
ment program have the opportunity to take part in the
center's Transitional Living Component. The TLC
program was designed to provide a comfortable,
supporting environment for clients with a high probabil
ity of relapse.
The program is set up to allow the clients to attend
school or work within the boundaries of the
component's guidelines. "The Transitional Living
Component is a method of helping the client get back
into their lifestyle while at the same time recognizing
that they do not have full strength. It's the Halfway
House concept," explained Nanitch Sahallie program
director, Joanna Rodgers. "The client can go out, go to
school, go to work and yet in the evening come back
and work intensely on themselves."
According to Tribal General Manager Jim Willis, the
idea for the transitional living process has been around
for some time. Willis explained the program as a "link"
between the treatment center and the community. "It
has provided a safe haven for young people to continue
I
1 ' J
Fiona MacNeill
Jamie Fraser
to develop their skills and to think about their lives and
to think about ways to deal with their urges and addic
tions". It is accepted that some young people embrace
the concept quicker than others but, if enough self
confidence can be instilled in the client during their stay
at the cejnter, the chances for, success rise dramatically. ,
"It provides a bridge for the clients to use and that is the
real value of transitional living," said Willis.
"Kids normally in their third or fourth week of
treatment experience alot of anxiety because
they have to leave, and then they have to put .
their tools to work Transitional Living provides
them with a buffer. "
-Jim Willis
In order for a client to be eligible for the Transitional
Living Component they must first have completed the
intensive residential treatment program. "Kids normally
in their third or fourth week of treatment experience
alot of anxiety because they have to leave, and then they
have to put their tools to work. Transitional living
provides them with a buffer," said Willis.
Activities associated with the component focus on the
prevention of client relapse, the establishment of client
support systems, the building of a clients self esteem and
decision making skills. "After a client goes through the
treatment process they have the education that they
need but, they might be having trouble putting it to use.
That is when transitional living can be a wonderful
thing", explained Rodgers.
Employees Featured
When you walk in the doors of Nanitch Sahallie the
first person you normally see is receptionist Diane
Harrison. Harrison began working for the treatment
center in April of 1989 and since that time she has
proven to be a valuable and competent employee. "I
really like my job and I enjoy being a part of this
program because I think we are making a difference in
these young people's lives," explained Harrison.
Harrison's duties include taking care of discharge
summaries, typing assessments, filing organization and
updating. Harrison said that she also is responsible for
notifying all those concerned when a client enters the
program, graduates or checks out.
According to Willis, Harrison handles her responsibili
ties in a positive manner. "Diane is effective because
she is confident and sincere. I think that is why the kids
respond to her as well as they do".
When it comes to counseling the youths at Nanitch one
of the most effective counselors has been Jamie Fraser.
Fraser began working for the Tribe in June of. 1989 as an
Inpatient Counselor, specializing in aftercare. Fraser is
involved with case management dealing for the most
part with females. She also spends time lecturing and
doing aftercare planning as well as working on relapse
prevention.
Fraser explained that she was hired to deal with female
clients specifically to help knock down the barriers that
can be put up by a chemically dependant client. "When
you're dealing with people that are chemically depen
dant most all of us in our disease have things that we've
done that we have alot of guilt and shame about,"
confided Fraser. One of those areas that tends to be
affected is sexuality and there are those times when its
alot easier to share your feelings with someone who is
; the same sex. It really helps with the denial stage of the
addiction".
"When you 're dealing with people that are
chemically dependant most all of us in our
disease have things that we've done that we
have guilt and shame about."
Jamie Fraser
Fraser said that she sees herself primarily as an
advocate for the client in opposition to the disease. "I
see that one of bur primary responsibilities is to identify
what the resources are available for the client and then
making use of those resources." Fraser said that "It's
the client who has to do the work to stay on the path and
its up to me to make it fruitful for them".
When It comes to continuing a client's education while
in treatment the responsibility rests on the shoulders of
the center's education coordinator, Fiona MacNeill.
MacNeill began working for the center in October of
1989 and she said her program has been changing and
developing since that time. "This program never existed
before I came on board and so things have changed
continually as we've evolved".
Currently, MacNeill serves as the liaison person
between the clients and whatever school they left or may
be going back to. "A big part of the program is motiva
tion and some of the areas I try to work on are goals. I
try to help them get more focused on where they are
going".
When asked if she considers her job working with the
kids as a challenge she said "Yes, it's a thrill a minute.
I'm always telling people that I don't have to go to the
movies anymore."
Part III of this feature scries will focus on more
of the employees, after care and will also include
conversations with clients on their responses to
treatment