Overview of Admission Criteria
- This program focuses on parenting children, so applicants must be planning to attend with their children (age 0-18).
- Safety of children and families is priority. Legal considerations, readiness to attend, and other safety factors are necessary.
Service priority is designated to people of First Nations ancestry who live in B.C. Also, we are able to service a limited amount of families per year from the Yukon.
Non-Indigenous people may apply if independent funding is secured for each attending family member. It is important to know that service priority as previous mentioned and service waitlists are in effect.
Referral & Application Process
- Referrals received by: Drug and Alcohol counselors, social workers, referral workers, clinical counsellors, and community resources. Admission is contingent on the availability of pre and post treatment counselling and follow-up resources that support clients to a successful healing journey.
- Only completed applications will be accepted for review.
Complete Applications
After receiving complete applications for all members of the family, the following steps occur:
- Intake Interview: a clinical therapist will set up time to have a video or phone call with the client
- Intake Committee: completed family applications are reviewed based on their suitability to the program (client readiness, staff capacity, suitability for program, etc.).
- Intake Coordinator: informs referral workers of outcome.
Please note that there is an undetermined wait time for all families.
Accepted Applications
The Intake Coordinator informs the referral worker via letter with specified session dates and next steps.
Specific Pre-Admission Requirements
Please feel free to contact our Intake Coordinator for further information should any questions arise.
Sobriety
- Minimum of 6-8 weeks abstinence from any substance and a strong desire to remain clean and sober.
- We recommend individual treatment for detox and stabilization needs. We are unable to support detox or stabilization services through the family sessions.
Mental, Emotional Preparation
- Clients are required to attend a minimum of six 1-hour pre-treatment counselling and/or other support sessions in preparation for treatment.
- Clients must be physically and mentally able to participate in an intense counselling experience.
Physical
- Included in the application package, a physical check-up and medication update.
- All communicable diseases and illnesses must be stable, self-managed, or in remission.
- Clients must have a valid Personal Health Care Number (BC Care Card) and Status Number.
- Childcare centres- immunizations must be up to date. If you choose not to immunize your child(ren), we require a letter from a parent stating why they have chosen not to immunize children. Local school district and licensing requirement policies are followed (see Island Health, SD70 regarding immunizations).
- Medications and over-the-counter/prescribed/supplements will be stored in the program buildings (not in the family's cabin). Staff have designated medication assistance times for people aged 12 and over. Please ensure the medications are not expired and that they match the label on the bottle (not mixed or unlabeled). Staff will not dispense medications that are expired, unlabeled, or at a dose different than what the label advises.
- Blister-packing your medications is encouraged to promote safe medication use.
Legal
- To provide a safe space onsite, the KFDC Family Program does not accept clients with a history or criminal conviction of sexual offences. *For treatment options for Those Who Have Harmed Others Sexually, please see Rebuilding the Circle tab for program info*
- KFDC is not obligated to accept a person who has been Court ordered to attend our program.
- Supervision and safety orders must be lifted and custody orders in place prior to attending a session. Children should have recent experience living with the parents/caregivers prior to attending to allow safe space for healing and learning as a family.
Children's Education
- All school aged children must bring English and Mathematic workbooks and any other schoolwork that is deemed important by their teacher to have completed during their 6-week absence from regular school.
- Children with Independent Education Plan (IEP)- please ask their teacher to contact Kackaamin to ensure continuity of care and support
Other
- Families must be free from any obligations that will require absence from Kackaamin (i.e. court appearances, doctor appointments in their home town, MCFD meetings, Big House ceremony attendance etc.)
- Families can be prepared to attend by reducing time spent on devices (cell phones, internet, TV) as these will not be available throughout the program.
- Parents/caregivers are encouraged to share with their children and youth of the reasoning to attend, and to bring activities that they may enjoy together (i.e. crafts, board games, etc.).
Kackaamin Brochures and Posters
