Services  
Life Skills Programs  

Life Skills services are provided through CONCERN's Greater Berks, Lehigh Valley, Northeast, Southeast, and Susquehanna Valley offices.

Life’s a skill that can be learned ...

             Community Life Skills can teach it.

Since 1989, the CONCERN Community Life Skills (CLS) program has been helping youth develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s complex world.

CONCERN operates two group homes and a day treatment facility (Life Skills Institute) where clients participate in life skills education, academic education and community service.

Any youth facing independent living with limited or no means of family support is eligible for CLS. Professional teams developing an Individual Service Plan for a teen’s emancipation may consider the program as part of CONCERN’s continuum of services. The CLS program gives these youth additional skills needed to build a successful adult life.

Client goals are to:

1. Complete academic education, either GED or diploma
2. Complete CLS program independent living skills curriculum
3. To fulfill any obligations incurred within the justice system.
4. Work, earn and save a minimum of $1,500 with which to begin independent living upon discharge from care
5. Establish post-placement housing

The Community Life Skills system involves four phases. Clients earn phase status through the demonstration of responsible behavior: the more responsible the client, the greater his potential to earn privileges. While each phase level involves an increase in privileges, it also empowers clients with opportunities to practice and develop their ability to make responsible choices, independent of supervision and guidance.

Clients enter the Life Skills system at Phase I. In this phase, clients remain under 24-hour CLS staff supervision and have no eligibility for unsupervised time in the community. Clients also receive a weekly allowance for the first six weeks they’re in the program. After the first six weeks, if a client has not obtained employment, he does not receive allowance. After he obtains employment, his weekly allowance comes from the money he earns through employment. Clients are required to work a minimum of 32 hours per week, unless this conflicts with their academic program. On Phase IV, clients are eligible for unlimited opportunities for “check outs” (at staff discretion), and are eligible for up to four home passes a month with their county’s approval.

CLS Facts

How long are clients in the program?

While the program is outcome-based not time-based, the average length of placement is six to nine months. CLS emphasizes that success in the program is measured by a client’s preparedness for independent living, not how much time he’s spent in placement.

What kinds of jobs are there and are they hard to get?

Most clients obtain employment in the food service industry although clients also have found employment in other retail and industrial occupations. Jobs are generally not difficult to obtain as the CLS Program has developed a working relationship with many local employers.

What happens to the money clients earn?

All money clients earn is deposited into an interest-bearing savings account. This money is either applied toward restitution and fines or, if the client owes no restitution or fines, deposited directly into his bank account. Either way, the money belongs to the client.

Are clients required to participate in any type of counseling?

One of the life skills that the CLS program reinforces is to be responsible for his own issues. The program therefore requires clients to use support services, as needed, to maintain their ability to function in a positive and healthy manner. This may require participation in intensive, issue-specific counseling with a specialist in the community. The goal is to direct clients to seek the support services they may need in order to function at the highest level possible and ultimately succeed in their independence.

Click here for a printable Life Skills brochure

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