Children's Bureau, Inc. - Working for Independence, Self-Sufficiency and Empowerment (W.I.S.E.) Program

WISE Program
Working for Independence ,
Self-Sufficiency and Empowerment

Contact: Julie Stewart
email: jstewart@childrensbureau.org
317.545.5284 X252

Population Served: Children/Adolescents/Adults
Ages: Open/All

Client's Best Served

The WISE (Working for Independence, Self Suffiency and Empowerment) Program is a preventative community based program serving clients in Marion County. Clients that are eligible for referral must have children living in the home. Referrals must not be actively involved with the Office of Family and Children or the Marion County Juvenile Court.Treatment Focus/Area of Specialization

The objectives of the WISE Program are to improve the client's support network, form linkages to community services, improve family functioning, and encourage positive parenting techniques. In addition, WISE works with children and youth with anger management, stress management, and life skills improvement.

Clients who are served in the WISE Program receive home-based or school-based counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and concrete services. These services are provided by Master and Bachelor level home-based therapists and case managers. The provision of services is based on a complete assessment, treatment plan, and ongoing voluntary collaboration with the family.

Goals of the Program

	To link clients to community resources to help them meet concrete needs such as housing, day care, andhealth care.

	To link clients to mental health services to meet long-term counseling and psychiatric needs.

	To advocate and assist clients in the educational and vocational settings.

	To provide family and individual counseling to improve family interaction, address mental health, and teach problem-solving and self-sufficiency skills.

	To help prevent the placement of children/youth outside the home setting due to being either CHINS (Child In Need of Services) or designated delinquent.

	To help prevent the family's involvement in the juvenile and child welfare systems.

	To help children/youth cope with school and home associated stress that negatively affects their education.

Referral Process:

Referrals may be made by community providers, schools, and hospitals. The WISE Program also accepts client self-referrals. Contact: Julie Stewart at, 317.545.5284 X252 or fax the referral form to 317.547.6378.