1. 1

   Referral and pre-placement review

   Before placement, BKC reviews the youth's referral and available records to decide whether the program can meet the youth's needs. The team looks at behavioral, educational, medical, mental-health, safety, placement-history, family and permanency information, and identifies immediate risks or special accommodations.

2. 2

   Arrival, intake and orientation

   When a youth arrives, staff welcome them and start intake: reviewing placement information, completing required documentation and health and safety procedures, inventorying belongings, explaining house expectations and youth rights, introducing staff and peers, and walking through the daily schedule.
   The focus is safety, stability, relationship-building and easing the stress of entering a new placement.

3. 3

   Assessment and individualized planning

   BKC works with the youth, DCS, the clinical team, family and support system, and the Child and Family Team to identify individual needs and goals. The plan may cover behavioral health, education, family relationships, medical needs, independent living skills, social development, cultural needs, recreation, community involvement and permanency.
   The aim is not to keep a youth in residential care. It is to keep preparing them for the next appropriate placement or permanency outcome.

4. 4

   Stabilization and trauma-informed care

   Staff provide structure, supervision, positive behavior management, predictable routines and trauma-informed support. They help youth learn healthier ways to handle frustration, conflict, triggers and difficult emotions, while reinforcing positive choices and relationships. Progress and significant incidents are documented so the team can see what is working and what needs to change.

5. 5

   Education and personal development

   BKC coordinates with the youth's school and educational team to support attendance, academic progress, credit completion, homework and educational goals, and prepares youth for graduation, GED, vocational education, college or employment when appropriate.

6. 6

   Independent living skills training

   As a youth becomes more stable, BKC puts increasing emphasis on the skills needed outside residential care. The level of independence grows as the youth shows readiness and responsibility.

   • Personal hygiene and self-care
   • Cleaning and maintaining a living space
   • Laundry
   • Meal planning and food preparation
   • Grocery shopping
   • Money management and budgeting
   • Banking and understanding credit
   • Employment preparation and interviewing
   • Job applications and building a resume
   • Transportation and community navigation
   • Scheduling appointments
   • Medication and health-management education
   • Communication and conflict resolution
   • Time management
   • Decision-making and problem-solving
   • Leases, utilities and household responsibilities
   • Getting ID and other records needed for adulthood

7. 7

   Family engagement and permanency

   When appropriate to the case plan, BKC supports and strengthens relationships with parents, relatives, siblings and other permanent supportive adults. That can include family contact, visitation, CFT participation, therapeutic recommendations, authorized home passes and preparation for reunification.
   For a youth whose goal is reunification, the objective is to make sure the progress made here continues at home.

8. 8

   Increasing responsibility and community integration

   As progress is shown, youth get chances to practice skills with more independence. Depending on their plan and authorization, that can include community activities, employment, educational opportunities, approved passes, recreation, transportation skills and greater personal responsibility. Staff keep documenting progress and spotting where more support is needed.

9. 9

   Transition and step-down planning

   Discharge planning starts well before the discharge date. BKC works with DCS and the Child and Family Team to choose the next step based on the youth's needs, progress, permanency plan and available supports.

   Path A

   Family reunification

   The youth returns to a parent, relative, guardian or other approved family setting with the right supports.

   Path B

   Step-down to a lower level of care

   When QRTP-level structure is no longer needed but support still is, the youth moves to a less restrictive placement or community-based setting.

   Path C

   Transition to adulthood

   For older youth aging out of foster care: independent living preparation, employment, education, housing readiness, financial literacy, transportation, healthcare awareness, supportive adults and connection to transitional services.

10. 10

    Successful discharge and transition

    Before discharge, BKC coordinates with the youth's team for the smoothest transition possible. Records, medications and belongings, educational information, appointments, transition recommendations and other required documents are all handled. The youth should leave knowing where they are going, who will support them, and what comes next.

QRTP is not meant to be a youth's final destination. It is a structured stage that prepares them for a safe, stable and less restrictive future.