April 15, 2004
Valerie Kelly, Program Director.
by Sandy Kleven
March 1 was moving day as the RDT (Residential Diagnostic Treatment) Program moved into the Receiving Home building located between the YK Delta Regional Hospital and Bethel Youth Facility.
A new entity, the KEYS (Kuskokwim Emergency Youth Services) has been created that combines the functions of both short term residential care and emergency placement of children by the Office of Children's Services.
According to Addy Roddy, KEYS director, "We are still very much in a transition period, but are all working hard together to ensure that we meet the needs of all our clients."
Plans for the residential program include- A Master's Level staff person to do life skills groups with the teenage kids three evenings a week.
- A designated "Arts and Crafts" room
- A designated "teen room"
"We hope to collaborate closely with the FIT (Family, Infant, Toddler) program," Addy said. FIT provides screening and intervention for children ages birth to 3 years of age.
The KEYS also plans to add programming that includes music, gardening and groups designed for specific age groups.
"We're lucky to have retained so many great staff from both the old RDT and old Receiving Home programs," Addy said.
The importance of these programs to the youth of the region is summed up in the words of staff member Pam Baker-- "I have found that what we do is invaluable and I thank God that I am blessed with the chance to do it."
The previous RDT, located on the campus of the Community Health Services Building, is now the site of a girl's group home. Six girls will eventually live there for a six to 12 month period. Valerie Kelly has arrived from Juneau to serve as the program director.