Nexus' unique program for women with children and pregnant women removes a traditional barrier for women to get the help they need. The Pregnant/Parenting Women with Children's program allows women ages 18 and older to bring as many as three children with them while they are in residential treatment. The on-campus childcare staff cares for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Older children attend a nearby public school. The Pregnant/Parenting Women with Children's program focuses on chemical dependency and parenting. Nexus teaches effective parenting techniques and establishes structured family routines. The destructive cycle of chemical addiction is often broken when women and their families learn to lead responsible, healthy lives.
The goal of the Pregnant/Parenting Women with Children's program is to create a therapeutic environment that will ultimately lead to:
- A drug-free lifestyle for mothers and their children
- Higher level of independent living skills
- Appropriate parent-child relationships
Issues
The program maintains a dual focus on chemical dependency and parenting, which includes:
- Alcohol/drug/nicotine education
- Behavior management
- Conflict resolution
- Cultural awareness
- Dual recovery
- Family education
- Fitness
- Health education
- HIV/AIDS education
- Life skills training
- Parent/child labs
- Parenting classes
- Relapse prevention
- Relationships
- Step study
Children's Recovery
Our on-site childcare staff cares for infants and toddlers. These children receive their own assessments and are often referred for individual therapy and follow-up services to address their developmental needs. The older children attend a local elementary school and participate in after-school field trips with Nexus childcare staff. The children's program offers a variety of age-appropriate prevention and intervention activities, and provides an ongoing nurturing environment for the children served at Nexus. These components, combined with a self-esteem program, parent education and a safe environment, provide a preventive base for the children. We utilize numerous other agencies and resources such as The Betty Ford Center, Rainbow Days and A.R.T.S. for People to assist the children.
Families
Family members are encouraged to participate in the family education program to help them understand the dynamics of chemical dependency and the effects of addiction on the clients as well as their families. In addition, parenting classes teach the women to care for their children in order to create a positive home environment for a sober future.