Positive Alternatives Inc. has five group homes: Positive Alternatives-Menomonie, Positive Alternatives-River Falls, Positive Alternatives-Wisconsin Rapids, Positive Alternatives-Amery, and Positive Alternatives – Marathon County.
Positive Alternatives’ group homes are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and certified as Qualified Residential Treatment (QRTP) programs.
Positive Alternatives Group Home-Amery and River Falls are group homes for female youth only. All of the other homes are eight bed co-ed group foster homes. All are State Licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and licensed under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF57. The homes provide structure, safety, and trauma-informed care to youth in need of alternate care.
All group homes except Marathon County accept youth from any Wisconsin county while Positive Alternatives – Marathon County is only able to accept youth from Marathon County. All homes offer the same services including: Long term, short term, 72-hour holds, respite, and crisis placements. Only the Menomonie program, however, is able to accept youth billable through DHS 34 crisis.
What we can offer you:
72 HOUR HOLDS
72-hour holds are generally used as a non-secure sanction. It is a short-term placement for youth. Youth participate in regular group home programming that may include community service, recreation, and evidence-based or psycho-educational programs, etc. Counties may choose to place a youth for a 24-72 hour hold as an alternative to detention.
LONG-TERM CARE
Long Term Care is generally for youth requiring placement for 30 or more days. The setting provides a highly structured environment that promotes positive choices and responsible actions.
Includes:
- Customized treatment plan
- Trauma informed care
- Family involvement
- Positive recreation
- Community Service
- Education
- Independent living skills
- Daily evidence based or psycho-educational groups – youth with more intense clinical needs are referred to outside agencies
- AfterCare
RESPITE
Program is available to those who need a healthy break to maintain a positive home environment. Voluntary placement is offered on a regular schedule or an as-needed basis. Youth participate in regular group home programming as appropriate. Youth may stay for a specific amount of time such as one weekend a month or in a “crisis” for up to 15 days.
SHORT-TERM CARE
A stay of 30 days or less is considered a Short Term/shelter stay. This is usually utilized for stabilization or to offer the family and county time to develop services to meet the youth’s needs in the home.
CRISIS PLACEMENTS
This service option is utilized to remove youth from an acute crisis situation with placement overnight or for up to 30 days. Youth participate in regular group home programming as appropriate. This temporary shelter stay offers the county worker time to evaluate the immediate needs of the youth and implement a plan. When used in conjunction with DHS 34 Crisis Services funding, this program is only offered in the Menomonie Group Home.
AFTERCARE
Aftercare services are offered to all short- or long-term residents placed in the group home. A Case Manager will be assigned prior to discharge to assist in planning and preparing for the upcoming discharge which includes: establishing client and family goals, link to appropriate services, identify expected outcomes, and create a plan to reach those outcomes. Aftercare services are provided for 6 months following discharge at no additional cost and can include face-to-face visits, virtual meetings, and phone contact.