(Youn gwa noonh sa set gee) Adolescent Group Home Tewasetani Road Akwesasne Mohawk Territory Cornwall Island, Ontario K6H 5R7 Tel: 613 932-5050 Fax: 613 932-7939 In order to meet the needs of the Native adolescents, their families and their community, Mohawk Counci Akwesasne has developed Ionkwanonhsasetsi, Adolescent Group Home a seven day per week, comprehensive program for adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioral, substance abuse and psychological problems. The Philosophy: Ionkwanonhsasetsi is rooted in the philosophy of the Mohawk culture and has a deep respect for the Seventh Generation way of thinking. This is viewing adolescent dysfunction behavior as correctable when accepting ones understanding of who, what, where, and why we are. Healing our feelings, understanding the reality of our survival, growing within structure, and reaching for our spiritual life, are integrated into our Seventh Generation thinking. In this approach it is important to understand that our actions affect all our community and the generations to come.

The overall goal of Ionkwanonhsasetsi is to assist each adolescent and their family in attaining healthy relationships by becoming fully aware of cultural values and family values that will produce a healthy lifestyle. This is achieved by providing a high quality of care in a structured, residential home-like setting that is geared toward helping each individual. The concept is to move an adolescent from emotional dysfunctions and/or chemical abuse to ongoing recovery health and healing in their home community.

Efforts are made to help adolescents have an awareness of the relationship between their feelings and behaviors and how these feelings, actions and behaviors affect themselves and others around them. The goal in this process is for an adolescent to learn more effective ways of coping and gain more internal controls of themselves. In this way, adolescents learn how to live productively and to solve problems without hurting themselves or those around them. The program is designed to help adolescents resolve their emotional difficulties, learn and practice effective problem solving skills, negotiation, communication, goal setting, stress management skills, and to learn behaviors designed to promote self-respect and responsibility. A comprehensive assessment will be performed in order to: *Identify issues and develop intervention techniques designed to address related issues. *Develop a comprehensive list of problems, strengths and weaknesses. *Develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated care plan designed to reduce and relieve major symptoms in a systematic manner. *Develop effective continuing care strategies designed to reduce recurrence of the problems. Based upon the assessments a care plan will be developed. Program Services: At Ionkwanonhsasetsi respect for the unique and special beliefs of the Mohawk and other First Nation adolescents is a major part of the recovery process. Spiritual and cultural belief systems of each individual are given priority in all services provided.

Assessment: Each client of Ionkwanonhsasetsi is given a complete assessment. The assessment is the basis addressing the client's individual needs.

The assessment determines the type and the extent of services to be provided the adolescent. Case Supervisor and Program Manager determine necessary services through case consultation. Pre-Treatment Services: In order to assist the adolescent in learning to walk in balance, Ionkwanonhsasetsi uses the Seventh Generation way of thinking that helps us to see the things that are our problems. If an adolescent is determined to be in need of inpatient treatment, Ionkwanonhsasetsi will assist in preparing the adolescents with cultural, spiritual and principles are geared to develop skills necessary for successful completion of an inpatient treatment services. Post-Treatment Services: When an adolescent returns from an outside service Case Supervisors will assist the adolescent in making a smooth transition back into the community. The main service is the reconnection with their family and friends. Relapse prevention therapies are applied during this phase to plan support and future services to insure a continuum of care. COMPONENTS OF IONKWANONHSASETSI Individual Counseling: Individual counseling will help adolescents understand their behaviors and the consequences of those behaviors which have led them to their present life situation. Counseling is designed to improve the individual's performance, Psychological comfort, self-esteem and feeling of worth. Individual counseling is conducted by the Case Supervisor and the Program Manager, as well as referral sources. Group Counseling: Group Counseling utilizes the group process to help develop communication and interpersonal skills, develop a connection and identify with peers and adults. It also provides reality testing with age appropriate limits, role modeling, increased ability to trust and to deal with personal issues. Group counseling is conducted by the Case Supervisor and the Program Manager.

Academic Education: The school program plays a unique and powerful role by integrating Ion kwa nonhsa setsi services with the home school including lesson plans, text books, etc. Adolescents attend classes at Ionkwanonhsasetsi a minimum of five days per week.

The educational component is provided by a certified teacher. The staff work closely with the adolescent's school following and implementing the school's lesson plans. Expressive Therapies: The primary purpose of expressive therapies is to assist the adolescent in developing healthy socialization skills with peers, through involvement in structured activities. The methods used will identify and implement therapies such as music, art, occupational and recreational therapy. Activities offered are cooperative games team sports, swimming, Native arts and crafts, climbing, ropes course and supervised cultural outings. Recreation and expressive therapies are viewed as an avenue to learn physically, emotionally, socially and can be a healthy outlet for excess energy. Cultural Identity: Adolescents are provided an education to their native identity. The care plan will be based on individual cultural identity and their relationship to the family, community and world. Native Ceremonies and Rites: Ceremonies will be conducted by local Spiritual leaders and staff. All ceremonies and rites are also done upon request by the adolescent. Some of the ceremonies are sweat lodge, pipe ceremony, smudging, and those provided by the community. All ceremonies will be explained. Instructions will be given on the purpose in order to initiate respect and understanding of the philosophy and belief of ceremony. Talking circle will be conducted in a culturally relevant manner. Ionkwanonhsasetsi is licensed through the Ministry Of Community & Social Services. This program is offered through Social Development & Health, Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io, P.O. Box 579, Cornwall, Ontario K6H 5T3. For a complete listing of programs offered through Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Social Development & Health write or call (613) 575-2341 or for information about Ionkwanonhsasetsi call (613) 932-5050.