	Wilderness and Adventure-Based Therapeutic Outdoor Services

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

WT 19: Aftercare and Follow-Up

The organization and the youth work together to develop an aftercare plan and follow-up occurs when possible and appropriate.

Interpretation: While the decision to develop an aftercare plan is based on the wishes of the youth unless it is mandated, the organization is expected to be strongly proactive with respect to aftercare planning.

NA The organization has a contract with a public authority that does not include aftercare planning or follow-up.

WT 19.01

The aftercare plan is developed sufficiently in advance of case closing to ensure an orderly transition.

WT 19.02

An aftercare plan identifies services needed or desired by the youth to solidify gains, specifies steps for obtaining these services, and helps individuals rejoin their families and communities.

Research Note: Research suggests that an appropriate aftercare plan is essential to maintaining positive treatment outcomes. Prominent researchers in the field of WT point out that the transition from highly structured wilderness programs back to life in the community can be difficult without adequate support. Aftercare planning is an important part of helping youth to apply what they have learned to life outside the program.

WT 19.03

The organization takes the initiative to explore suitable resources and contact service providers.

WT 19.04

The organization follows up on the aftercare plan as appropriate, when possible, and with the permission of the participant.

Interpretation: Reasons why follow-up may not be appropriate include cases where the youth’s participation is involuntary.

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	PURPOSE: Youth who participate in Wilderness and Adventure-based Therapeutic Outdoor Services expand individual capabilities, develop self-confidence and insight, ameliorate symptoms, and improve interpersonal skills and relationships.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	AFTERCARE Additional services provided beyond the period of primary care that offer continuity and supportive follow-up.


	PLANNING The process of specifying objectives, evaluating the means for their achievement, and exercising deliberate decision making about appropriate courses of action.


	CONTRACT A formal written agreement between two or more parties that specifies the services, space, or products to be provided in exchange for some form of compensation. Also known as "purchase of service arrangement."


	CASE CLOSING A voluntary or involuntary process which occurs when an organization no longer assumes responsibility for providing services to a particular individual, group, or family. Also known as "termination" or "discharge."


	RESEARCH For purposes of COA accreditation, all forms of internal or external research involving persons served except internal program evaluation and outcomes research, or educational projects performed by students and interns that are part of their professional training.


	PROGRAM A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.