Vista Maria Experts Educate Peers on Complex Traumas Faced by At-Risk Teens
Online, March 15, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Dearborn Heights, MI -- Vista Maria senior leaders will speak before attendees at the Children's Mental Health Grand Rounds Training Series, Fragile: Handle with Care - The Importance of Developing an Understanding for Adolescent Youth in Foster Care, on Thursday, March 15 at the Dearborn Ford & Performing Arts Center, in Dearborn, MI.
"Behavioral health professionals have an obligation to address significant trauma in youth by developing effective, trauma specific interventions to prevent re-traumatization," says Vista Maria Director of Residential Programs Meredith Reese. The presentation will discuss the prevalence of abuse and neglect in early childhood, which often times results in disruptive behaviors.
Reese, along with Gregory Elliott, LMSW, Manager of Positive Youth Development Programs at Vista Maria, will also share with attendees the best-practice approaches used by Vista Maria to treat children so they can experience positive emotional connections with caring adults. The agency's Trauma Recovery Program, for example, is designed to help girls cope with the issues associated with abuse and exploitation, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression and other serious emotional conditions.
"Vista Maria is a place where young girls can find hope, a new beginning, after experiencing tremendous traumas, challenging family histories, or aging out of foster care," adds Reese. From the 37-acre campus Vista Maria cares for about 150 girls, and meets all of their needs -- medical, educational, physical and spiritual. Vista Maria also provides education to young boys and girls from the community, who do not live on campus. Through the Vista Meadows Academy, the agency currently educates 100 students and expect to add 60 more students this fall. The school offers after school programs, individualized focused instruction, small class sizes and free credit recovery.
Vista Maria also offers community based programs, which include foster care programs, an after school program, a mentorship program and activities through their new Journey to Success initiative. To learn more visit their website or call 313-271-3050.