Integration & Aftercare Programmes

The journey from a lifestyle dominated by drug or alcohol abuse back to “normal” life presents many obstacles and pitfalls. After completing rehab treatment, whether in a residential or day programme, the next part of the journey begins. Then comes the challenge of finding your rightful place in society, where you can begin a new confident, productive and independent life.This transitional phase is a critical, challenging but hopeful time. Now you have a real opportunity to build the skills and self-reliance you need to contribute to the wider community. That’s why we believe Integration and Aftercare is possibly the most important service of all.

The service is divided into two six month phases.

- Integration (support for clients based in Transitional Housing)

- Aftercare (support for clients who are moving into their own accommodation)

Integration

The Integration service oversees a number of community-based houses that operate as the Coolmine Housing Association. These shared houses enable us to provide an ongoing programme of one-to-one and group therapy and support to clients who have completed a Coolmine rehabilitation programme.

Aftercare

Aftercare support continues for a further six months. During this time, clients enter training, education or employment and develop their plan to move into their own accommodation. Clients in Aftercare attend a weekly session with their key worker as well as one group meeting, usually in the evenings. This support system is there to ensure each person in the programme continues to feel supported, especially when new challenges arise at this stage in recovery.

Education and Training

In partnership with FÁS, we provide a Community Employment Scheme (CES) to all of our clients who qualify. We are currently developing further ways to deliver more education, employment and training options for our clients, as well as a comprehensive resettlement service for those in need of housing. Starting in 2008, we will be providing further support to our clients when looking at their education, training and employment options through the employment of a career guidance counsellor. We hope that this new initiative will help develop more long-term opportunities for our clients.

Graduation

Once a client has successfully completed the six months Aftercare programme, they pass out of the programme at our annual graduation ceremony, marking the end of one chapter in their life, and the start of a new life free of drugs and alcohol.

To find out more about our integration and aftercare programmes, please contact the Integration & Aftercare Team Manager on 01 825 1100 (ask for IAC office) or by email: iac@coolminetc.ie

So what would be a typical day living in the integration and aftercare programme? Read an account by one of our clients. You might also like to watch Paul & Jamie’s video about their experiences in integration and aftercare.