Children in
Community Care
The Children in Community Care (CCC) Program provides a continuum of care for youth and young adults who have mental health diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DDID) and who are placed in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, or via a single case agreement with Medicaid for youth with parental custody. The youth that we serve are experiencing severe challenges in their lives and are frequently placed in hospitals and acute care settings before entering the CCC Program. Youth who live in Key Assets group homes have complex needs that require an intensive, therapeutic placement option. Group home residences enable youth to live more independently with staff support. All group homes are located in residential neighborhoods allowing the opportunity for community living.
The CCC Program licensed its first specialized group home in December 2014 and has seven group homes in a three-county area. Each specialized group home is licensed as a 3-4 bed residential treatment facility designed to meet the unique needs of the youth in our care.
Each specialized group home is supported by a multi-disciplinary team that consists of a Facility Coordinator, Residential Therapist, Board Certified Behavioral Analysts, Operations Managers, Case Managers, Registered Behavior Technicians, and Youth Care Workers.
Since the Key Assets Children in Community Care Group Home Program began in January 2014, we have successfully discharged over twenty-five youth to a lower level of care, returned home, or transitioned into adult living programs.
My Life At Key Assets
What would a week at Key Assets look like for me?
Going to class at a public school
Playing sports at the YMCA
Visiting with important people in my life and family members
Eating out at my favorite restaurant
Participating in therapy
Shopping for clothing and personal items
Visiting cool places in the community
Learning about how to care for my body
Preparing meals and snacks
FAQ
- Key Assets serves individuals who are between the ages of 10 and 21 (referrals are only accepted for youth under the age of 18) and currently in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- Present with severe and persistent challenges in social, emotional, behavioral, and/or psychiatric functioning.
- The youth presents symptoms consistent with a DSM V diagnosis of any of the following in combination:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disability
- Receptive or Expressive Language Disorders
- Medical diagnosis such as Seizure Disorder, Prader Willi Syndrome, or other conditions that require frequent medical professional oversight
- Behavioral or Psychiatric disorder of mood, affect, thought, or impulse control which interferes with his or her ability to adequately function in the domains of family, school, and community.
- Youth is in need of 24-hour staff supervision due to emotional and/or behavioral challenges in the home and/or community that places the psychological or physical safety of the youth or others at risk for harm.
- Youth demonstrates difficulty expressing him or herself using vocal, verbal modes of communication.
- Limited ability to complete activities of daily living such as appropriate toileting, hygiene, feeding, meal preparation, and household chores.
- Inability to remain in the community successfully as demonstrated through frequent and long term psychiatric hospitalization(s) or multiple placement disruptions.
All referrals are made through the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and the Children’s Review Program Placement Coordinators. If you would like to refer a youth who is currently placed in psychiatric hospital or other residential treatment program may inquire about the program through the child’s local DCBS worker.
- Least restrictive setting for the youth,
- Most appropriate setting to meet the needs of the youth in care,
- Identification of lesser restrictive placements,
- Community resources and services to provide support for the youth, and
- Natural transitions from youth to adulthood.