Week 5 at harbor family services

Not alot out of the ordinary this week, although I guess what is ordinary here can be pretty unique.  The heat seemed to bring out the tempers in a few residents, with the smallest seeming to have the worst.  It's hard to see the tempers coming sometimes, but there is a system of accountability for their actions that is built into the program that quite often gives an easy way to remind them there are better ways of dealing with stress.  Each resident has a sheet for each day that keeps track of how well they followed the rules.  Each day if they don't follow the rules, which could include not cleaning their room or doing chores, or acting out and not following staff directions, points are deducted.  This point system is used to determine what type of activities they are allowed to do.  There are 3 levels, level 1 meaning that they stay on grounds and have not been doing what is expected of them at all.  This could also mean they will be confined to their room for the majority of the day.  to get off level one they have to keep a minimum number of points for a week.  Level 2 means that they are following a majority of the rules, and after a few days on level 2 are allowed to do things like go hiking, swimming, visit the library.  There is alot more freedom with this, which at first some residents take as a chance to act out, such as running away, swearing, threatening violence.  If these actions happen they are first dropped down to the first day on level 2, and than if they continue they are dropped down to level 1.  Level 3 is the highest level and there is a great amount of freedom involved.  They are allowed in the kitchen occasionally, and don't have to go up to their room for quiet time if they don't want to.  If they are old enough they may also be allowed to play rated M games on one of the game systems in the house.  There is actually a level called OLS (off level system).  Although every resident is on the level system, the title seems to have a bit of honor on it among residents, but they standards are pretty high, as these kids are expected to be able to set an example for the rest of the residents.  There is a 3 ring binder where all this is kept track off, along with there individual treatment goals.  The activities required to rise in the level system are stressed as things that are expected of everyone in society, but there is a little room for human error.  No one is expected to be perfect, since no one really is.  Bad days are expected, and although they may drop down to the beginning of their level, they are shown better ways to deal with those bad days so that they won't drop next time.