Please read the following policies and procedures regarding use of VYJ's Calming Studio:
Calming Studio Policies and Procedures
These policies and procedures describe the purpose of the Volunteers for Youth Justice Calming Studio and set out the requirements for when and how the Studio may be used to support children and families served by Volunteers for Youth Justice, Caddo Parish Schools, Caddo Juvenile Court and those who are referred to The Harbor.
Purpose of the Calming Studio:
The Volunteers for Youth Justice Calming Studio is a controlled and intentionally designed sensory space where children, youth, and adults can feel safe and secure despite the stressful environment and circumstances they find themselves in. The Calming Studio provides multi-sensory resources to include areas with physical activity, mental stimulation and a calming influence, all of which can help individuals regulate their own behavior to support their sensory needs.
The Calming Studio is not a daycare facility. It is a controlled environment serving a specific purpose to meet the sensory needs of children, youth, and adults.
Eligibility:
• The Calming Studio is a resource for children and families served by Volunteers for Youth Justice, including Caddo Juvenile Court, Desoto Parish Court, DCFS and agencies located at The Harbor.
• Use by other agencies/courts other than the above must be approved in advance by Volunteers for Youth Justice supervisory staff and will only be considered based on room availability.
• The Calming Studio may be reserved for parent-child visitation when accompanied by a professional visit supervisor. Space is available for one family visit at a time, with a maximum two-hour visit
Rules Governing the Calming Studio:
Those who use any of the Volunteers for Youth Justice Calming Studios shall comply with all rules, policies, and procedures developed by Volunteers for Youth Justice. This Calming Studio policy complements and works in tandem with the Volunteers for Youth Justice mission to ‘provide a community caring for children, youth, and families in crisis.’
Room Use:
• The Calming Studio shall remain locked, unless a Volunteers for Youth Justice staff member is on site.
• Unauthorized entry to the Calming Studio is strictly prohibited.
• Equipment in the Calming Studio is overseen exclusively by Volunteers for Youth Justice supervisory staff.
Availability:
• The Calming Studio is operated by Volunteers for Youth Justice staff, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm by appointment only.
• Special requests for use of the Calming Studio outside of standard business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, will be considered by Volunteers for Youth Justice supervisory staff on a case-by-case basis.
• The Calming Studio will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis according to the availability of Volunteers for Youth Justice supervisory staff.
Reservations:
• Reservation requests must be made 24 hours in advance.
• Reservations are based on one-hour increments up to a maximum of two hours per room usage.
• Reservation requests require the requestor’s name, phone number and email, the child/youth’s DOB, gender, and race.
• To make a reservation during standard business hours, visit the vyjla.org website and click on the Harbor TBRI® Calming Studio Reservation Form or go to bit.ly/reservevyjcs
• To make a special request for use of the Calming Studio outside of standard business hours, email tbriintake@vyjla.org or call The Harbor at 318-725-4267 Ext. 108.
Supervision:
• Children must be accompanied by their parent, guardian, caregiver, attorney, social worker, and/or professional visit supervisor when using the space
Use of the Calming Studio Rules:
• Use of the Calming Studio requires signing in and signing out with full name, phone contact, email, date and time.
• The Calming Studio equipment may only be operated by a Volunteers for Youth Justice staff member trained in Trust Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).
• Individuals must be actively supervised and engaged in sensory activities when using the Calming Studio.
• There are specific pieces of equipment that require children/adults remove their shoes in order to engage in the sensory benefits of the equipment.
• All equipment in the Calming Studio shall be cleaned daily by Volunteers for Youth Justice attending staff and undergo periodic checks to ensure equipment remains in proper working order.
• No food or drinks are permitted in the Calming Studio to protect the equipment. A hydration and fueling station are available adjacent to the respective Calming Studio and must be consumed before entering the Calming Studio. Hydration and fueling breaks are encouraged for children/youth to stay regulated as needed throughout their visit.
• Misuse of the Calming Studio equipment and/or not abiding by the Calming Studio policy may result in loss of room usage privileges as determined by the Volunteers for Youth Justice supervisory staff.
Client Agreement and Policy Updates:
• Volunteers for Youth Justice, collectively and individually, are hereby released and discharged from any and all liability for any loss, injury, or damage to persons or property which may be sustained during Calming Studio use.
• Volunteers for Youth Justice reserves the right to amend the Calming Studio policy at any time.