Living it Up!
Gateway Children’s Services, a private non-profit emergency shelter and treatment program that helps Kentucky’s battered, abused and neglected children. The mission has been taken to a new level and has implemented a treatment program designed to produce smarter minds and healthier bodies. Living It Up is designed to serve male and female teenagers age 12-17. Treatment is provided in a safe, supportive environment where residents have the opportunity to learn skills to become healthy, responsible citizens. The Living It Up experience is a mind-body-spirit program. This program combines individual and group therapy sessions, fitness, nutrition, relaxation, independent living skills and lessons in cultural diversity in an effort to prepare them for a healthy life and becoming a responsible citizen. Residents spend time exercising, learning about proper nutrition and learning about new methods of relaxation through meditation and yoga. Diverse, innovative programs are designed to help children assess their level of independence and learn how to take responsibility for their future by thinking and planning ahead. Residents have the opportunity to learn how to manage their employment, residence, health, budget, needs and desires. A key component of this program is goal setting where the residents set clear goals for their future and work on learning the steps to see their goals to the finish line. Meals are high quality and nutritionally sound. The focus is on whole grains, low fat foods and healthy portions sizes. There are no diets. Menus are made by experienced employees and supervised by a registered dietician. Living It Up is staffed with a minimum of one staff to every six children, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crisis intervention is available 24 hours a day. Approximate length of the program is about 120 days with variations in length of stay based on level of participation in treatment as well as individual needs. The program is designed in such a way that residents may enter at any point within this timeframe. The full program is optimal for success; however, the emergency shelter residents who may not complete the program have the opportunity for increased information and activities. Many of these residents request longer stays after beginning the Living It Up program. Residents are expected to participate in all activities and treatment. Each resident is taught that everyone is responsible for the consequences of their own actions. New approaches to understanding and expressing needs and feelings are a core portion of the programs treatment. Responsibility, Health and Hygiene, Fitness and Nutrition, Organization, Money Management and Relationships teach the importance of each decision residents make and how those decisions will affect their future. During a time when our society is facing the greatest rate of obesity and health issues, divorced families, substance abuse, unemployment, lack of financial opportunities for higher education, personal debt, etc...; Living It Up emphasizes personal accountability and teaches new approaches to important life issues that residents all face.
Treatment Services
The treatment staff consists of an experienced Treatment Director, Program Director, Intake Coordinator,
Senior Case Manager, Case Manager,Nurse,Recreation Services Coordinator and Residential Supervisors. Additionally the program contracts for physician services. Individual and group counseling sessions are planned and provided by trained clinical staff under the supervision of the Treatment Director. Additionally, counseling with families and children’s social workers are included in our program. Treatment services include but are not limited to: Comprehensive Assessment, Psycho-educational groups, Goal achievement groups, Individual sessions, Stress Management groups, Anger Management groups, Substance Abuse groups, Group Living groups and Life Skills groups to name a few.
Education
Gateway Children's Services, in partnership with the Montgomery County School System, offers many opportunities in the academic area: These include: Regular curriculum, aligned with Kentucky standards, for upper elementary through High School, Credit recovery, GED prep courses as well as opportunities to take the exam, Programs to help non-readers in phonetic awareness, Achieve 3000, to aid in reading comprehension, Individualized instruction for students with special needs or gifted/talented, Academic testing to prepare students for secondary schools (ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE). Students are assessed upon arrival and a program is put in place that best suits their needs to achieve the goals set forth by the state based on their same age peers. Every effort is made to help the student’s transition back into the regular educational setting.
Recreation
The recreation program at Gateway Children’s Services is designed to provide the clients with the opportunity to learn positive activities. Gateway clients are encouraged to implement these activities in their daily routine upon leaving the facility. By offering a variety of activities such as basketball, football, cornhole, arts and crafts, and a daily fitness program, the hope is to strengthen clients self esteem, confidence, self awareness, and overall feeling of self worth.
Gateway fitness program consists of aerobic training and strength training.
Aerobic training is achieved through a variety of modes in exercise such as running, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, dancing, and treadmills. The strength training is based on working with free weights and resistance machines.
Recreation outings are scheduled on a weekly basis and are planned to develop clients community awareness and help clients discover new positive activities to enhance their life after leaving treatment. Weekly outings include trips to the park, library, church, gym, airport, movies, factory tours and cookouts.
Guest speakers have visited the program to share positive life experiences and educational lessons. Recent speakers have been employees from the local health department speaking on health and fitness and Survivor star Roger Bingham sharing experiences from the Outback.
Admissions
Boys and girls, ages 12 – 17, are eligible for the program. They must be stable, able to participate in their own self-care, and able to function in a school, treatment and group setting. At this time, children must be placed by court order, Department for Juvenile Justice or the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. If you are interested in more information or would like to make a referral, contact Sheila Smith, Program Director at 859-498-9892 x104 or email to: sheilaj.smith@bellsouth.net
General Information:
Type of facility: Emergency Shelter w/ Treatment
Licensed Treatment: Yes
Clients: Male & Females, 12-17 years of age
Year Founded: 1981
Capacity: 28 (14 Male Beds, 14 Female Beds)
Average Length of Stay: 120 Days (at least 90 Days to complete the initial treatment program)
Number of Employees: 35
Accredited: Council On Accreditation
For Admissions Call:
(859) 498-9892
