A national AmeriCorps Senior program sponsored locally by VOA Minnesota and Wisconsin that matches people ages 55+ with volunteer opportunities that match their individual skills, interests, schedule, and geographic availability.
Reflections:Â A weekly support group for people with criminal records and those leaving incarceration to come together and help each other build a healthy, positive lifestyle. Participants hear from guests and connect with each other to offer support.
Sisters Helping Sisters:Â A two-phase group program for women incarcerated at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. The first 12-week phase emphasizes personal empowerment through sharing and support, and the second 12-week phase focuses on independent living skills as participants prepare to transition back into the community.
This program and drop-in center provides information, referrals, and specialized one-to-one planning for those with a criminal background. People reentering society receive help accessing housing, jobs and vocational services, transportation, clothing, voicemail, and computer and phone access.
Community volunteers are matched with incarcerated individuals to establish friendship and connection. Pre-release matches help ease the transition back to society for most, while others provide connection for people serving life sentences.
Residential treatment services for adolescents ages 13-18 whose sex is assigned female. Avanti uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy to treat youth experiencing mental health crisis such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and emerging personality disorders, including those accompanied by self-injurious behavior and/or suicide attempts.
Specialized residential treatment services for adolescent males ages 12-17 who are experiencing serious mental health and/or chemical issues. Bar None Omegon offers both short- and long-term intensive mental and chemical health treatment services.Â
Temporary shelter care and behavior stabilization services for adolescents ages 12-17. Behavioral, Baseline, and Needs assessments are provided and can open doors to other services, depending on needs.
Personalized guidance, information, and resource coordination to meet physical, social, and financial care needs for older adults, adults with disabilities, and those caring for them. Follow-up services help develop long-term care plans while maximizing independence and quality of life.
A local, member-supported network that collects and organizes helpful data for social workers who work with older adults and their families. Care Options Network publishes The GuideBook, a resource for senior care professionals, and The Directory, a newsstand magazine for the general public.Â
Support for older adults and adults with disabilities to maintain independence whenever possible through care plans and support systems that prevent unnecessary guardianship and conservatorship. CESDM also provides guidance and training to case managers, Adult Protection Workers, and social workers.