Family Support Model for Addiction Recovery
By Liesl Vosloo, Sikelelwa Tyawana and Jonathan Leeu
In a proactive stride towards holistic student well-being, Via Nova School’s two social workers and intervention officer recently participated in a transformative training session.
The event, led by Celeste Swanepoel, delved into the Family Support Model for Addiction Recovery. Covering a comprehensive array of topics, from drug classification and addiction comprehension to co-dependency dynamics, treatment alternatives, and relapse prevention strategies, the training offered an invaluable toolkit.
By emphasizing family intervention and fostering vital lifestyle adjustments, the workshop further fortified the school’s commitment to nurturing resilient students and parents and fostering an environment of unwavering support.
SASSA Grants
By Liesl Vosloo, Sikelelwa Tyawana
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides various social grants to assist vulnerable individuals andfamilies in the country. Two essential grants aimed at supporting children and caregivers are the Care DependencyGrant and the Disability Grant.
CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT
- The applicant must be a South African citizen,permanent resident or refugee permanently residing in South Africa;
- The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa;
- Child must be under the age of 18 years;
- The applicant must provide the child’s clinical information or a referral form as a clinical baseline for an assessment;
- The applicant must provide a referral form duly completed by a treating facility or practitioner if previously rejected on medical grounds;
- The child must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming disability;
- Applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the Means Test (except for foster parents);
- The care-dependent child must not be permanently cared for in a state-funded institution;
- The applicant must provide a birth certificate for the child;
- The applicant must submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document or the smart ID card for self and spouse. In the absence of an ID or a birth certificate,an alternative identification prescribed by SASSA will be acceptable.
If the child is of school going age, the child must attend school and provide proof of school attendance. However, failure to produce this certificate or failure to attend school will not result in the refusal to pay the child support grant; - The income of foster parents will not be taken into consideration when they apply for the care dependency grant for their foster child.
Amount of grant as at April 2023: R2090
DISABILITY GRANT
- The applicant must be a South African citizen;permanent resident or refugee permanently residingin South Africa;
- Must be 18 to 59 years of age;
- Must undergo a medical or functional assessment confirming disability;
- Must provide clinical information or referral form confirming disability;
- Must provide a referral form duly completed by a treating facility or practitioner if previously rejected on medical grounds;
- The applicant and spouse must be subjected to the Means Test;
- Must not be maintained or cared for in a state-funded institution;
- Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself;
- Must submit a 13-digit barcoded identity document or the smart ID card for self and spouse. In the absence of an ID or a birth certificate, an alternative identification prescribed by SASSA will be acceptable.
Amount of grant as at April 2023: R2090
SACAP Students
Shaney van der Bank and Joshua Cooper
The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) contracted with Via Nova School to allow the SACAP students to complete their Honours Degree practical component at the school.
The SACAP students assisted the learners and staff in the following ways: individual and group counseling, as well as workshops with the staff.
These students also participated in a community project on the school grounds, where a school clean-up was planned and the school grounds were made safe and secure for the learners and staff. Additionally, the SACAP students held a jumble sale to raise funds to provide additional counseling resources to the school.
The SACAP students would like to thank the school for providing them with the opportunity to learn and grow.
