Craig O'Connor

 is the Program Coordinator for the Youth Assessment Centre.  He has a diploma in Rehabilitation Counseling, is a certified Child and Youth Care Worker and is a member of the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta.  Craig worked for Heritage Family Services from 1984-1989 and then again in1990 until present.  Craig has had numerous positions at Heritage including the following: Night Staff, Child and Youth Care Worker, Team Leader, Program Coordinator and Regional Coordinator.

Craig was a past member of the Red Deer Policing and Taxi Commission and the Mayor’s Recognition Committee, was on the Provincial PC Constituency board for both Red Deer North and South. Also he was on the Federal Constituency board for Bob Mills, President of Red Deer Minor Football (two terms) and served on the board of Red Deer Minor Football for 8 years.  Presently he sits on the advisory board for the Community Disability Program at the Red Deer College and sits on Region 4 Outcomes and Placement Committee. He is a certified Peer Reviewer for the Canadian Accreditation Council of Human Services and is on the board of his community church.

Craig enjoys traveling, going to hockey games, spending time with family and friends, and working out at the gym.

Charlene Cullen

is the Program Therapist at the Youth Assessment Centre (Y.A.C.).  She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Walden University in Baltimore, Maryland.  Charlene started her employment with Heritage Family Services in 2004 as a Child and Youth Care Worker.  She then became the Psychological Assistant, completed her Master’s Degree, and became the Program Therapist.  She is currently a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, is registered as a Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, and is working towards gaining status as a Registered Psychologist in Alberta.

Charlene has a strong desire to help those in need and has shown her commitment to improving individual and family functioning through her work at the Youth Assessment Centre.  She is responsible for completing Psychological and Family Assessments, as well as providing recommendations to hopefully enhance the future well-being of adolescents and their families.  Charlene is a very compassionate and insightful individual who believes that all life experience can ultimately lead and shape us into the people we want to become.  She is also very outgoing, enjoys participating in a number of sports, and has a special love for animals.

“The Power to Choose Your Future”

The Youth Assessment Centre is a structured therapeutic environment.  We provide recommendations for appropriate placement and treatment, based upon our range of assessment services. Our professional team members are positive role models and advocates who are nurturing and respectful of our clients, their families and their cultures.

Client Profile

•     12-21 Years of Age
•     Emergency Receiving (14 Days)
•     Stabilization (14 Days)
•     Assessment (35 Days)

Admission Requirements

•     Upon intake we will request:
•     Information Consolidation
•     Delegation of Powers
•     Reason for Referral
•     Client Demographics
•     Highlighted Client Special Needs
•     Service Plan
•     Consent for Services
•     Intake Conference

Secure Services*

•     One Bed Offering Secure Placements
•     $421 Per Day

Schooling

•     In House School

Recreation

•     Community Recreational Outings
•     Cultural Outings

Therapy

•     Individual
•     Family
•     Assessments
•     Educational
•     Psychological
•     Behavioral
•     Family
•     Medical
•     Dental
•     Optical

Reporting

•     Critical Incidents Within 24 Hours
•     Monthly Progress Reports
•     Treatment Plan Updated Quarterly

Staff Training

•     PACE (Behaviour Management)
•     ASIST (Suicide Intervention)
•     Aboriginal Awareness
•     First Aid

         
Links to Community

•     AADAC
•     School Division
•     Library
•     Metis Links
•     Mental Health

On Call Support

•     24 Hour On Call Support

H.O.M.E.S

•     Outcome Monitoring
•     Case Planning
•     Goal Creation and Attainment Scaling

Cultural

•     All Staff Take Aboriginal Training
•     Client Specific Cultural Awareness

Family Involvement

•     Family Counseling
•     Family Mediation
•     Involvement In Case Planning
•     Family Therapy

Program Coordinator
Craig O’Connor
craig@heritagefamilyservices.com

Therapist
Charlene Cullen
charlene@heritagefamilyservices.com

Program Costs*

Per Diem Covers: For per diem rates, please contact the program coordinator or Central Referral

•      Transportation 400 km/month
•      Program Related Recreation & Travel
•      Clothing
•      Educational Costs
•      School Supplies

Extra billing for:

•      Any Required One on One Coverage
•      Travel Beyond 400 km

*NOTE: Contractual Agreements may supersede this cost.

Contact:
Office……………403-342-2610        
Fax………………1-403-343-1650

E-Mail: yac@heritagefamilyservices.com

26 Gunn St.
Red Deer, AB
T4P 2N2