The ARC Model
Maryville adheres to the ARC trauma-informed model of care. The ARC model, Attachment, Regulation and Competency Framework is a flexible, components-based intervention developed for children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma. ARC’s foundation is built upon four key areas of study: normative childhood development, traumatic stress, attachment, and risk and resilience. ARC identifies important childhood skills and competencies which are routinely shown to be negatively affected by traumatic stress and by attachment disruptions.
The ARC model has been shown to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Children and adolescents experience improved behavior and less anger and aggression. The model helps caregivers themselves feel more confident and resilient.
Attachment
The model focuses on strengthening the caregiving system surrounding children through enhancing supports, skills, and relational resources for adult caregivers. It helps children experience and build healthy relationships with caregivers.
Self Regulation
The ARC model teaches how to recognize both positive and negative feelings, and how to manage them so they don’t become overwhelming. Children who have experienced complex trauma must develop the ability to regulate emotions.
Competency
Competency goals include building skills needed for healthy ongoing development, resiliency and the capacity to establish healthy relationships with others.
Our Model of Care is:
Individualized and strength-based:
Each child’s strengths and needs are identified and a plan of care is developed building on and working with those strengths.
Multidisciplinary:
We take a holistic approach to each child’s treatment, addressing educational, emotional, behavioral, medical, nutritional, physical, recreational, spiritual and vocational needs.
Relationship-based:
Children grow through relationships with healthy, nurturing adults. Our staff is trained to provide support, direction, and guidance within a therapeutic relationship.
Systems-sensitive:
Our children are embedded in and profoundly affected by child-serving systems. We actively advocate for our children within these systems.
Trauma-informed:
We believe it is imperative to understand and adapt our methods to what trauma has wrought.
Maryville’s Results:
Maryville is one of the Chicago area’s oldest social service agencies, bringing hope and healing to children and families during their times of greatest need. Our full range of residential, healthcare, family support, educational and community development programs have changed thousands of lives.
Children and families are satisfied with their Maryville experience
At Maryville, we assess many facets of our performance on an ongoing basis. A significant measure of our work is overall client satisfaction. In order to quantify our successes, we survey our children and families to learn about how they view their Maryville experience.
Children become children again at Maryville
At Maryville, we recognize the importance of allowing children to be children. Many of the children we serve have never known what could be considered a “normal” childhood. We encourage children to sing, draw, dance, and play sports. We help them experience a childhood enriched by friendships, laughter and love.
Children and families get better at Maryville
At Maryville, we provide an environment for our children and families to heal. Each of our clients is assessed upon admission and at discharge using the tools and measurements of our field. We receive countless thank-you letters and hear thousands of anecdotes from children and families that tell us how Maryville has improved their lives.
