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Murdoch Center's statewide programs include three specialized residential programs (PATH, STARS, and BART), Generations-Tadpole and NC-SNAP Central, all of which are part of the Programming Department. Partners in Autism Treatment and Habilitation (PATH) (photo) The Partners in Autism Treatment and Habilitation (PATH) program serves children from ages 6 to 16 from across the state who have autism spectrum disorder and serious behavioral challenges. The PATH program currently has two components: The first is an eight-person residential unit for males located in Murdoch's Summerset Cottage. The unit also has the capacity to serve two extra children as therapeutic respite admissions. The second component is a four-person group home (PATH Home) located in Oxford, within 20 miles of Murdoch Center. The PATH program operates a public school classroom with a PATH teacher and staff. A third component is being developed: A second group home, located near Franklinton about 18 miles from Murdoch Center, is currently under construction, and is due to begin serving four individuals in July, 2006. Professional Services are available and rich staff coverage assures safety and enhanced programming 24 hours per day. Treatment of behavior problems in the PATH program utilizes a behavior analytic approach. All programs are designed both to reduce behavioral excesses as well as to accelerate positive social skills. Treatment also includes person-centered teaching in the areas of self-help, education, communication, and recreation as deemed necessary by the interdisciplinary treatment team. Behavior programs are carefully integrated across all areas of training, and are designed with consideration of the individual’s eventual return to the parents’ home. Parent and school training are available as needed to enhance successful re-entry to the family home. In keeping with its goal for short-term therapeutic treatment, the maximum length of stay in the PATH Program should normally not exceed 2 years. Specialized Treatment for
Adolescents in a Residential Setting The Specialized Treatment for Adolescents in a Residential Setting (STARS) program is a service provided by the State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services at Murdoch Center. The STARS program serves adolescents, ages 13 through 17, from across the state who have a dual diagnosis (developmental disability and mental illness), and demonstrate extreme and dangerous forms of aberrant behavior. The STARS program is specifically designed for individuals with developmental disabilities who have been unsuccessful in developing and maintaining an effective, pro-social behavioral repertoire in other treatment settings. The STARS unit occupies one living unit of a modern, two-unit cottage located in Murdoch’s Meadowview cottage. The STARS unit is designed to provide a safe, secure, attractive and engaging living environment for up to eighteen individuals. The environment and its furnishings are attractive and homelike while designed and constructed to ensure safety and security. Professional services available to individuals served by STARS include Psychology, Education, Recreation Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Social Work, Dental, Nutrition, Medical and Nursing. The number of direct care staff assigned to an individual is determined by the individualized needs. Rich staff coverage assignments assure safety and enhanced programming 24 hours per day. Guardians and family are welcome and encouraged to participate on the treatment team. The Local Management Entity (LME) is expected to appoint at least one person (e.g., case manager, DD Coordinator) to serve on the treatment team. Treatment in the STARS program utilizes a behavior analytic approach. Individualized behavior intervention programs are developed and modified based on objective information obtained by direct observation of behavior. All programs are designed both to reduce behavioral excesses (e.g., physical and verbal aggression), as well as to accelerate positive social skills (e.g., communication, conflict resolution skills, and cooperation). Treatment also includes training in the areas of self-help, education, vocation, communication, and recreation as deemed necessary by the interdisciplinary treatment team. Behavior programs are carefully integrated across all areas of training, and are designed with consideration for the individual’s eventual return to the general community. In keeping with its goal for short-term therapeutic treatment, the maximum length stay in the STARS program should normally not exceed 1 year. Behaviorally Advanced Residential Treatment (BART) The Behaviorally Advanced Residential Treatment (BART) serves males, between the ages of 16 and 25, having mild mental retardation and/or other developmental disorders, who have a history of failed treatment placements and/or repeat criminal offenses. The BART unit was designed to provide a safe, secure, attractive and engaging living environment for up to twelve individuals. Professional and Direct Care staff receive extensive training in Person-Centered Planning, North Carolina Interventions (NCI), Behavior Intervention procedures, Skill Training procedures, and Positive Interaction procedures. Rich staff coverage assures safety and enhanced programming 24 hours per day. Treatment of aberrant behavior in the BART program utilizes a behavior analytic approach. All programs are designed both to reduce behavioral excesses as well as to accelerate positive social skills. Treatment also includes training in the areas of self-help, education, communication, vocation and recreation as deemed necessary by the interdisciplinary treatment team. Behavior programs are carefully integrated across all areas of training. Admissions/Discharges to the statewide programs Referrals are made to each of Murdoch’s statewide programs (PATH, STARS or BART) from Local Management Entities (LME’s) across the state. Referrals must be approved by the designated representative (e.g., DD Coordinator) from the LME for the applicant’s county of residence. The statewide program’s Admissions Committee is comprised of representatives from the NC Department of Health and Human Services, administrative personnel from Murdoch Center, a representative from TEACCH, a representative from the Autism Society of NC, a parent representative, and an expert in Special Education (DPI). Murdoch Center does not accept individuals for admission through the process of involuntary commitment. Applications and admissions require guardian (which may be parental) consent. Contact the Admissions/Discharge Coordinator at (919) 575-1070 or the Assistant Director of Programming for Professional Services at (919) 575-1000 for more information. The Tadpole Lending Library was established in 1992 by Rehab Therapy, Inc., a private rehabilitation agency serving the therapeutic needs of individuals with disabilities and children with special needs. In 1997 Tadpole moved to Murdoch Center, under the guidance of Murdoch Center's Assistive Technology Team. In 1999 Tadpole expanded to Generations-Tadpole and now serves individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Generations-Tadpole lends and delivers low-tech assistive technology devices and toys FREE to families and professionals all across North Carolina. Anyone working with an individual with a disability is eligible to borrow items and to receive free shipping. An Eligible Borrower might be:
THERE ARE NO FEES INVOLVED! Generations-Tadpole employs 19 adults who live at Murdoch Center. Employees clean, pack, and ship all items. They are responsible for building maintenance and customer service. More information can be obtained from
www.tadpole.org North Carolina Support Needs Assessment Profile Murdoch Center coordinates the statewide implementation of the NC-SNAP. Also known outside North Carolina as the Developmental Disabilities Support Needs Assessment Profile (DD-SNAP), this is an assessment tool that can be used system-wide to consistently and reliably assess a person's level of intensity of need for supports and services. It was developed in response to a systematic need identified by the North Carolina Developmental Disabilities Policy Workgroup. The NC-SNAP is the result of three years and countless hours of work by numerous individuals involved in the North Carolina DD service system. The NC-SNAP is currently used in North Carolina and several other states. More information can be obtained from http://www.murdochfoundation.org or by calling the NC-SNAP Coordinator at Murdoch Center, (919) 575-1000.
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