Changing providers can be a daunting and sometimes scary process for many families, but at BCOTB we do our best to make this process as smooth as possible. BCOTB specializes in helping children aged 1.5 to age 10. We focus our Child Advancement Track on teaching communication, peer play, pre-academic skills as well as classroom readiness and success skills. Our programming is divided into three areas, the Toddler Achievement Program, School Readiness Program, and School Success Program.
When our clients near the age of 10, our Clinical Coordinators and the client’s case manager will reach out to parents to schedule a transition meeting. In this meeting, the clinical staff will discuss the family’s future goals for their child and review where they expect to be in the long run. At times, families may not be able to visualize their child’s life 5 or 10 years into the future, so the clinical team may ask certain questions to assist in creating specific goals. For example, we may ask “Do you want your child to live in their own apartment?”, “Can your child bathe independently?”, “Would you like your child to receive vocational training?” or related questions. The idea of this meeting is for parents and caregivers to understand what they should strive towards, which will then guide the services they choose after transitioning from BCOTB. We always encourage parents to call different providers they are interested in and be put on their wait lists to prevent any gaps in services. BCOTB will share any information pertinent to the child’s progress with the appropriate parental consent. This will assist in a seamless transition from one provider to the next.
There are times when children transition out of BCOTB before the age of 10. There are several reasons for this including: the child has completed all our programming and is mainstreamed in the classroom, the child requires programming which is not provided at BCOTB (e.g., tutoring, school shadowing), or the child engages in problem behavior which we are not equipped to manage (e.g., severe self-injury/aggression, or behavior which occurs only outside of the clinic setting). In such cases, the clinical staff will have open communication with parents and caregivers to ensure they understand how we can help them and whether or not our services are the best fit for their child. If there is a need to transition the child, the family will have a transition meeting and be offered the same guidance as those with children who age out of our program. The purpose of this meeting will be to explain the different types of services available and which providers may be able to better assist the child in succeeding in their everyday life.
Oftentimes, parents and caregivers have difficulty accepting the notion that their child will no longer be a client at BCOTB. Families build a strong and trusting relationship with our staff and are saddened to see it come to an end. Here at BCOTB we understand how difficult this can be and will assist in any way we can. Clinical staff take the time to explain the importance of transitioning services and the benefit it will represent for the child. We discuss the notion of teaching Activities of Daily living in the home setting to ensure children are able to function independently. Clinicians discuss the need to teach skills in the community such as buying groceries or just being able to wait in line appropriately. The goal is to help parents understand that their child has essentially graduated out of our programs and should go on to new adventures in their life. We hope that parents see transitions in a positive light and know that they can count on us for any assistance they may need.
Typically, BCOTB recommends in home or in community services to clients who can no longer benefit from our programming. We provide parents with a list of providers in the area and encourage them to begin the process of securing a slot on their waitlists. We encourage parents to seek out services in the settings in which the child will be performing the skills they acquire. For example, if a child only exhibits problem behavior when the family goes to the grocery store or to a mall, perhaps this may be the best setting for services to take place.
Ultimately, BCOTB would like parents and caregivers to feel comfortable with the transition and understand that it is a natural progression in the child’s life. Just like a child graduates from elementary school to middle school, they graduate from BCOTB to other forms of treatment. We encourage parents to embrace this transition and see it in a positive light. This is an opportunity for them to take the next step in their child’s progress.
If you have any question regarding our services, please feel free to contact us at 813-814-2000.
