Offering early intervention to preschool children experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties

Catholic Charities Young Learners Program, in cooperation with St. Cloud School District #742 Special Education, is a community-based educational alternative offering up to eight preschool children, ages 3-6, an opportunity to develop self-regulation, inner control, and appropriate self-management skills to effectively function at home, with childcare providers, and within school settings. An Individual Treatment Plan is developed for each child which includes measurable short-term social, coping, and recreational goals, as well as longer-term mental health goals to help the child succeed in the development of emotional, social, and learning behaviors.

Strengths of this innovative educational collaboration

Catholic Charities Young Learners Program assists children in District #742 and surrounding communities who have a DSM-IV mental Health Diagnosis and are eligible for Early Childhood Special Education Services. Preschool educators implement classroom learning opportunities which are designed to meet the individual learning needs of each child. The program also offers various educational and therapeutic activities and utilizes Mental Health Professionals and Practitioners to provide clinical services as indicated by the child's mental health needs and the Individual Treatment Plan. Services offered to the child and his or her family may include group and family psychotherapy, as well as social, coping, and recreational skills development. An outdoor, large muscle playground area and indoor gymnasium round out the offerings of this leading-edge program.

Designed to address social development and individual academic needs.

Catholic Charities Young Learners Program offers a unique blending of the Individual Treatment Plan and the Individual Education Plan, clinical services are based on a current Diagnostic Assessment, which is administered by a treatment team comprised of: Mental Health Professional/Clinical Supervisor, consulting Psychiatrists, Mental Health Practitioner, Special Education Teacher (District #742), Paraprofessional (District #742), and Day Programs Manager. The team is assisted by administrative support staff, trained volunteers, and Masters Level interns. Student/staff ratios are, at minimum, 2 to 1 or at maximum, 1.5 to 1. On-going evaluation continues throughout the time the student is in the program.

Family involvement strongly encouraged

Family involvement is welcome and strongly encouraged. Parents and staff develop goals together with the focus on home goals which can be accomplished together. Parents are invited and encouraged to join field trips. Home-based family services will be provided on an as-needed basis.

The Young Learners Program provides family therapy related to the child's Diagnostic Assessment (DA) and Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), as well as providing family skills training if it is deemed necessary by the DA and ITP. In addition, the Young Learners Program focuses on developing supportive relationships with identified caregivers. Clinical and educational programming provides strong encouragement and flexibility for family involvement.

Program Fee

The Young Learners Program fee is $94.98 per day. A majority of medical insurance plans recognize and pay for these services if indicated by medical necessity.

Referrals

When a child is identified as needing Young Learner services, the referring school district and county develop a service plan and identify funding resources to implement the service plan. An intake staffing will be scheduled with the clinical supervisor, county social worker (if applicable), school personnel, the student, and his or her family. Before intake staffing, an intensive assessment will be completed by a licensed professional to determine the appropriateness for the child's placement in the Young Learners Program. If appropriate, a date will be set for services to begin, and performance levels for reintegration will be established. School-based referrals may be made if the County is not involved.

Referral Forms Checklist - Young Learners Program

Young Learners Program

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A Collaborative for learning.

Catholic Charities entered into a collaborative effort with St. Cloud School District #742 Community Schools in the summer of 2005 to develop the Young Learners Program, an educational and therapeutic program for children ages three to six who were experiencing difficulty in the home, school, or community. District #742 had originally operated a similar program, but grant funding ceased in August, 2005. The District approached Catholic Charities because of its long-standing relationship with the St. Cloud Children's Home, Day Treatment, and the Youth Learning Center.

Staffing efforts began in September, 2005, and the program officially opened its doors to six to eight young learners on September 5, 2006. The Young Learners Program is housed at the Roosevelt School building at 3015 Third Street North in St. Cloud.