Intake
Kahkike Homes Program
The program can be home for up to 5 youth (with Child Welfare Involvement), ages 12-17 and from anywhere in Canada.
The program focuses on:
- Teaching emotional regulation skills through discussions, practicing intentional techniques and modeling.
- Discussion, programming and interventions based on the impacts of trauma and intergenerational trauma.
- Providing opportunities for youth to participate in their culture through intentional and meaningful meetings with Elders and attending cultural events.
- Holistic understanding of health and healing.
- Utilizing a trauma informed approaches with intentional and purposeful interventions based on understanding of brain development, strength-based and relational practice and attachment theory.
- Preparing youth for transition to independence or return to the care of their family or identified permanent caregivers.
Working in partnership with community agencies and supports, as well as the youth’s natural supports, is an essential part of our home. Partnerships will include work with a certified trauma informed yoga instructor, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, expressive art therapists, and martial arts experts. Ongoing collaboration will also occur with supports, such as schools, Alberta Health Services (AHS), Edmonton Police Services (EPS), youth’s workers and any other professional or natural support that the youth identifies.
Services providers and front line staff CAN NOT DO IT ALONE
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Relationship building between and among the diverse stakeholders is essential. Successful innovations require that everyone who cares is involved and plays a role. In fact, these interactions often serve as generators of innovation through the “between” aspects of relationships. Listening, sharing stories, learning from one another, and being curious and humble all help create and nurture the strong relationships that are a foundation to effectively
Let’s Make A Change
Kahkike Homes chooses to build Meaningful Relationships as a passport to understand and support youth!
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There have been many significant changes for youth involved with Children’s Services over the past few years; especially the most vulnerable Youth want connection, but traditional child welfare services don’t meet their needs, according to the voices of youth. We need new thinking and to be able to work with the youth rather than trying to gain control over the youth in order to gain compliance. These youth typically come from early traumatic experiences and have suffered many situations in which they have been abandoned and rejected. Punishing them instead showing compassion has not worked, thus the need for an alternative approach.
Given their experiences, the world is seen as a lonely, frightening, and hostile place. Working with this population takes time and patience. Workers need to recognize that when they do let them into their world it is a big risk as, for them, this could result in further emotional harm. What they desperately seek—connection—they often push away as being in a relationship one has to be vulnerable. For these youths, being vulnerable can be seen as being weak, and when living on the streets and trying to survive on your own, this can get you harmed or killed.