ANA Home

Welcome to the Ana House Program! Upon placement, youth are welcomed with a gentle orientation to the home, including a tour, introduction to staff, and visual supports that outline their daily routines. The structured environment is built on predictability and consistency, supporting youth to feel safe and secure.

Each youth has a comprehensive Plan of Care tailored to their specific needs. This plan includes goals related to physical health, communication, behaviour, sensory needs, education, mental health and daily living skills. Parents, guardians, and placing agencies are actively involved in the planning process to ensure the program aligns with the youth’s needs and long-term goals. Regular meetings are held to review progress and make adjustments as needed.

Youth residing at the Ana House Home may receive behaviour plan oversight from a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA). Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) are created when needed, focusing on proactive strategies, consistent routines, and reinforcement of positive behaviour.

Antecedent strategies include first-then prompts, transitional objects, simple one-step instructions, choice-making visuals, and calm tone of voice. Reinforcement is immediate and strength-based, emphasizing praise, attention, and preferred activities.

Self-injurious behaviours, aggression, and elopement are managed through individualized BSPs and staff adherence to established safety protocols. Plans always prioritize the least intrusive measures and are designed to reduce risk while fostering skill development and independence.

The Ana House Program strongly supports educational engagement and skill development. While school placement is determined by the placing agency, the home reinforces communication, self-care, and life skills through structured daily routines. PECS communication is integrated into learning opportunities, ensuring that youth are able to make choices, express needs, and participate meaningfully in both academic and home settings. 

Youth at the Ana House Home have structured opportunities for community engagement based on their interests and ability levels. With 1:1 staff support, youth can participate in outdoor play, car rides, visits to the park, and sensory-friendly outings. All community activities are carefully planned to ensure safety and staff use these opportunities as natural moments to practice communication, self-regulation, and social skills. 

Health and personal care are central to the Ana House Program. Staff support youth with all aspects of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, handwashing, brushing teeth, and other hygiene tasks. Visual routines and gentle prompts encourage independence while ensuring safety and consistency.

Medication administration occurs at scheduled times and is monitored closely. Staff receive training to address personal care needs such as diapering, scheduled toileting, and hygiene support. All health appointments (medical, dental, and vision) are arranged promptly with local providers, and follow-up care and health reports are communicated directly to families and agencies.

Therapeutic engagement is integrated into every part of the Ana House daily schedule, with a strong focus on sensory-friendly, structured, and highly supported activities. Activities may include music, simple crafts with step-by-step staff support, sensory play with items such as water, sand, or textured toys, and outdoor walks in calm, predictable environments. These activities are designed to provide regulation, enjoyment, and meaningful opportunities for engagement, rather than to overwhelm or overstimulate.

Visuals are used consistently to guide daily routines such as bedtime, personal care, and activity transitions, helping to reduce anxiety and build a sense of predictability. Staff support the youth by modeling and prompting appropriate engagement, while reinforcing participation with immediate praise and preferred sensory activities. Autonomy is nurtured in small, achievable steps, such as making a simple choice between two activities, while staff remain close by to ensure safety, provide encouragement, and foster success.

All staff members possess at least a college diploma or university degree in relevant social service fields. They hold a valid Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) and/or Police Broad Record Check (BRC) as well as WSIB-approved First Aid/CPR Training. 

All staff undergo continuous training, including, but not limited to:

• Medication administration
• Abuse prevention
• Safe food handling
• Crisis intervention (Safe Management Group training)
• Cultural diversity
• Diagnosis-specific 

All Barrantes staffing is QSF-Compliant.