Next Steps

Next Steps:  Opened in 1998 - Supervised follow-up program for up to ten emancipated youth.

Next Steps is Third Way Center’s independent living program.  This program provides step-down services and weekly group therapy for young people who have been in our care and are living on their own in the community.  It is staffed by a therapist and mental health counselor who track the progress of the youth who are now out on their own.

Next Steps Independent Living Apartment Setting

Third Way Center has established a step-down program for the residents of our Lincoln Street facility.  In the Next Steps program, which has the capacity of 10 clients, residents move from Lincoln to apartments in the community.  While they still receive therapeutic intervention, they learn independent living skills.  Attendance of two individual therapy sessions per week, a weekly family therapy session and two life skills groups per week are required from each participant.

The residents pay a percentage of their income toward rent, with the percentage gradually increasing to help the resident adjust to living on their own.  A case manager supervises the resident’s living situation.

2004 Success Statistics 

In the past year, of those who graduated from our Next Steps program:

• 83% were clean and sober at time of discharge.
• 92% had received a high school diploma or GED at time of discharge.
• 100% had refrained from criminal activity upon discharge.
• 33% were enrolled in college at time of discharge.
• 10% had graduated from trade school at time of discharge.

More About Next Steps

Third Way Center in collaboration with the Volunteers of America (VOA) began a community based apartment program in the fall of 1997.  VOA had the expertise in finding apartments and working with landlords and Third Way Center had the therapeutic expertise and the clientele in need of supervised apartment living.  The program is designed to work with "high risk" youth, between the ages of 16-21 years old, who are transitioning into the adult world.  The major referral source is the Department of Social Services, although private placements could also be considered to youth who meet the criteria.  VOA and Third Way Center worked together to develop a system in assisting our youth in finding apartments, including developing a list of prospective landlords willing to work with our youth, and further developing a rental incentive program that would assist with empowering our clientele rather than enabling them.  VOA’s focus was to get the program up and running, which was accomplished.  In January, 1999, Third Way Center began managing both the independent living and the therapy independently.  We believe that the Next Steps program has been vital to our success with our youth.

The Scattered Site Program is the Next Step towards independent living.  For a referral to take place, the youth has to be in placement.  They cannot come from home.  Once determined appropriate for the program, the youth begins attending the Next Step’s support group, and an individualized plan is developed to assist the youth in beginning the process of looking for an apartment. Many things are taken into account, such as budget and location.  The youth takes part in this process depending on the circumstances.  The youth signs the lease and a payment schedule is set up. Third Way Center pays the rent and the youth pays the Next Step’s counselor beginning with 50%, then 75%, and then full rent, depending on the length of his/her stay in the program.  During the months of full rent payment, our residents are eligible for $200 refund which they receive upon graduation, providing rent was paid on time and in full.  The next phase is furnishing the apartment.  This is dependent on the need, some planning, some budgeting and donations.  If the resident is in placement with Third Way Center - Lincoln, a transition schedule is set up.  Transitioning is not always possible and the program adjusts to the need of the youth.  A specific treatment plan, with lots of support is developed with all significant parties involved.

The Third Way Center philosophy continues in the Next Steps Program.  The therapeutic process is dependent on the forming of relationships.  For success to occur these youth need to believe in the program, allow themselves to be helped, and continue the therapeutic process.  The program is run by two counselors who are responsible for both the development of independent living skills and the continuation of the therapeutic process.  Groups at Third Way Center - Lincoln, as well as previous therapists within and outside the agency are utilized when appropriate.  A crucial aspect of the program is assisting the residents with developing appropriate support systems and leisure time activities.  The Next Steps counselors are responsible for maintaining contact with probation officers, case managers, case workers, family members, GALs, etc., through staffings, phone contact, and monthly reports.  Staff are available on a 24 hour basis for emergency and crisis intervention.  The process is to go through the Lincoln facility, who are able to triage the situation.  The purpose of the Next Steps Program is to allow these youth to experience and learn independent living, practice what they have learned in treatment, and prepare for emancipation.  When graduated from the program, they keep what they have earned; the apartment, the lease, hopefully a savings account, a support system, and a solid after care plan.  The rest is up to them.

• Pontiac • York • Teen Moms • Lincoln • Next Steps • Lowry Facility •