Behavioral Specialist
Another unique way Raintree Village shows compassionate care and guidance is through our Behavioral Specialist Program.
We use Behavioral Specialists to help kids “de-escalate” when they exhibit extreme behaviors.
When youth arrive on our campus, they typically come from difficult circumstances. We know they probably lack skills to deal with anger, conflict, or change. One spark can set off a blaze of angry outbursts or inappropriate behaviors.
That’s when the Behavioral Specialist arrives to put out the fire (or keep the embers from spreading).
BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
Since implementing the program in mid-2022, we have seen repeatedly how a Behavioral Specialist’s intervention can calm a child and keep the situation from developing into something harmful.
A Behavioral Specialist’s 1:1 involvement with a child also provides well-deserved relief to house parents who have multiple youth to help and monitor in their respective cottages.
Megan Stewart, one of our Case Managers, supervises the Behavioral Specialist program. She shares, “Our Behavioral Specialist program is amazing! It has cut down our incident reports tremendously. Our Behavioral Specialists are able to step in and de-escalate a child before an incident occurs.”
WHY OUR PROGRAM IS UNIQUE
One of the things that sets our Behavioral Specialist program apart from others is the protocol developed to ensure the kids receive the care and attention they need (with guidelines specific to Raintree Village).
The hour-long process typically works like this:
- When a child needs to be pulled away from a situation, the Behavioral Specialist will take the child to a designated “wellness room”. This is a small room equipped with a futon, recliner, blankets, stuffed animals, TV, and essential oil diffuser.
- Here, the child can sit and watch a relaxing video before talking about whatever is bothering them.
- The Behavioral Specialist listens carefully, helping the child identify emotions and complete a “calm down sheet”.
- Their time concludes with a brief, fun activity together.
Additionally, when the Behavioral Specialists are not de-escalating a specific incident, they work with the youth to develop life skills and practice coping skills. The Behavioral Specialists also facilitate activities on campus Friday-Sunday to promote social interaction and fun for the youth.
We try to have at least two Behavioral Specialists on campus during peak times (usually after school), but there is always at least one Behavioral Specialist “on call” at all times between 12PM-12AM. Most serve full-time, but some prefer a part-time schedule.
We appreciate the services our Behavioral Specialists provide, and our staff makes sure the program is evolving to fit the needs of our youth.
When you support Raintree Village with a donation, you are helping us provide the best possible care and guidance for “lost” youth seeking to find their way.
The Behavioral Specialist Program serves as a great example of that.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
