Critical Adjunctive Services Required by Women in Treatment
12.1 Critical Adjunctive Services: Key Expert Perspectives
The literature related to women's treatment strongly endorses the importance of a multi-component set of services, a "menu" of options for women requiring treatment (see Section 9.0). These resources may be accessed by clients within or through programs. Respondents were asked to identify the most important adjunctive services (see Table 12.)
Table 12: Critical Services Identified by Key Experts
- Vocational skills development and resources (vocational training, high school completion, job readiness)
- Mental health services and resources
- Health services to address physical health needs
- Counselling/training/education related to parenting skills, re-parenting
- Connections to social services support
- Child care services (during and after treatment)
- Assistance in finding safe and affordable housing
- Family support services
- Support to access financial maintenance
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12.2 Optimum Methods of Providing Adjunctive Services: Key Expert Perspectives
Key experts identified a strong collaborative approach between program staff and other resources and professionals as the best method of assisting clients to access support services. The components of the collaboration were described as being based on:
- ongoing community information sharing and networking;
- the identification of appropriate resources and points of referral;
- the development of a shared sense of understanding and purpose (in collaboration with referral contacts);
- development of effective referral protocols;
- the identification of leaders within the collaborative network.
A collaborative approach to utilizing resources is the basis for effective case management where there is a central entry point followed by case planning, case management and follow-up. Key experts also recommended the development of a range of in-house programs and resources to address needs. In-house child care, some educational health and general resources (transportation costs) were sometimes provided by programs themselves.
Integrate some into the treatment program (e.g. handling of dual diagnoses, sexual abuse, eating disorders) but some need to be addressed in the community, some need to be addressed in post-treatment as well.
Key experts also felt a client empowerment approach helps clients to access and use services.
Inform client about resources. Do not do the leg work for them—instead, empower them by clarifying what they want and instructing them on resources. Put client in control to make choices and accept consequences.
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