KENTWOOD, Mich. -- A specialized residential treatment program for teenagers 15 to 18 years old has opened in Kentwood.
An open house to mark the opening of the Audere Transitional Living Program was held Thursday.
Here are more details from a Clark Communications news release:
Wedgwood has owned the facility since its construction in 2010. It has housed a variety of programs over the years, including a stepdown program, human trafficking survivor treatment, and a substance use recovery program. The 10-bedroom, 7,933 SF three-story facility sits adjacent to the Wedgwood campus in Kentwood.
“The Audere Program represents Wedgwood’s commitment to fostering independent living skills within a community-integrated environment, ensuring each youth has a supportive pathway as they transition into adulthood,” said Bri Gardner, Home Supervisor. “It is an honor to walk alongside these teens as they prepare for the next step toward independence.”
The term ‘audere’ is Latin for “to dare, venture, or risk” and conveys the idea of having the courage to act, often in the face of the unknown.
The Audere Home aims to provide ongoing support for youth who have successfully met the goals of their mental health residential treatment program but require additional assistance in skill preparation for independent living. The program provides a safe and stable environment where teens can continue to develop essential daily living skills while preparing for their next steps.
“Providing a seamless transition for teens moving from structured treatment to independent living is crucial,” said Dr. Dan Gowdy, CEO of Wedgwood Christian Services. “The Audere Program is designed to empower our youth with the necessary skills and support they need to thrive in their communities.”
Key features of the Audere Transitional Living Program include:
- 24/7 care and treatment
- Access to health and exercise programming, including a fitness center.
- Academic support and employment skills training when eligible.
- Optional chaplaincy services and faith-based groups.
- Comprehensive discharge planning and coordination.
- Individualized Independent Living Skills Development, focusing on personal care, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and more.
- Coordinated, customized team approach involving a Master 's-level Clinician, Case Manager, Home Supervisor, and various specialists.
- Individual and group therapy, family therapy (when appropriate), and occupational therapy.
“One of the biggest issues we’ve identified is the lack of supports that exist for teens who graduate our residential program but don’t have a supportive family environment to return to,” said Dave Gorman, Chief Program Officer at Wedgwood. “These teens, sometimes as young as 16 or 17, have worked hard to cope with the trauma they experienced, but are then expected to navigate life completely on their own – forced to figure out everything from school, to finding a job, to maintaining a place to live. Having the right supports as these teens step down from residential care could be the difference between maintaining the gains they’ve made while in our care or spiraling into a negative place.”
“We won’t be able to erase their traumatic childhood experiences, but we can give them every opportunity to keep moving forward,” added Gowdy.
For more information about the Audere Transitional Living Program, hello@wedgwood.org.
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About Wedgwood Christian Services
Since 1960, Wedgwood Christian Services has been one of Michigan’s most highly regarded mental and behavioral health organizations, helping teens and families overcome their trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges through 24/7 residential care, counseling services, and community programs.