Youth Services
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TTC’s Youth Service Programs are strength-based and focus on each youth and their family’s unique strengths to support healing. We offer residential and outpatient youth substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and alcohol/drug prevention, education, counseling, case management and recovery support services. In addition, all of our SUD programs are able to integrate treatment for any co-occurring mental health issues.
Before beginning either mental health and/or SUD treatment, each youth receives a comprehensive clinical assessment to determine which level of care would be most appropriate. Admission into any program includes a medical history, treatment history, and a thorough bio-psychosocial assessment.
Levels of care and services include:
- detoxification services for both alcohol and other drugs;
- residential;
- outpatient and intensive-outpatient SUD treatment; and
- outpatient mental health services.
Upon enrolment into a mental health and/or SUD treatment program, an individualized treatment plan is created with each youth. Each treatment plan is developed by the treatment team in conjunction with the youth and the youth’s family.
Outpatient and Intensive-Outpatient Substance Use Treatment
TTC’s Outpatient Treatment Program is individualized, but often requires that the youth attend treatment after school from one to four days a week, Monday – Friday between the hours of 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and/or Saturdays from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. These programs are ideal for youth that have a level of use that is assessed to be responsive to outpatient services. These youth are often able to remain in school and may still be living at home. For those assessed to need a higher level of treatment, residential services may be more appropriate and are also available.
Our groups include:
- Psycho-educational groups: Groups that are based on providing education and information in regard to substance use disorders and ways to cope with these difficulties.
- Process groups: Groups that are based on processing emotions and discussing current problems within the lives of the youth.
- Family Groups: Groups that include family members and caregivers to discuss ongoing problems in relation to their youth and substance use.
In addition, youth are given random drug tests throughout their treatment episode.
Mental Health Treatment
TTC offers youth mental health treatment that is provided by therapists with an in-depth knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Treatment is designed to address symptoms, which are impacting youth functioning in everyday activities. Services are strength based, family focused, and are individualized for the needs of a youth and their family. TTC staff are trained to treat a wide variety of disorders ranging from mild to severe. Specific services may include:
Individual therapy is where a youth meets with a therapist, usually on a weekly basis, to address their mental health needs.
Family therapy is where the youth and their family/caregivers come together to meet with a therapist to address communication barriers and to strengthen family relationships.
Case Management can be coupled with the youth’s mental health treatment where a case manager can assist with linkage to community resources and rehabilitation services, such as time management.
Psychiatry is a service done by our nurse practitioners, who may evaluate the youth for medication support and management.
Youth Advisory Board
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was established to enhance the various youth services programs offered at TTC. The YAB is a body of young people who have been engaged with TTC through treatment, community health education, and outreach. The YAB’s goal is to ensure that the services intended to serve youth and young adults are endorsed and guided with feedback and input from their peers.
The YAB participants have the opportunity to influence how programs are implemented in their communities, schools, and at TTC. YAB allows youth to further develop their leadership skills and voice by providing a forum for youth to make systemic changes, help others as they transition out of care, and promote a positive image for youth in treatment. YAB members are encouraged to volunteer and mentor others by being exemplary members of the treatment community. TTC offers potential paid and non-paid internship opportunities to YAB members.
Gang Intervention Program
TTC provides support and facilitates gang intervention services. The Gang Intervention Program (GIP) is a community-based youth support service aimed at preventing youth from entering and engaging in high-risk behaviors and increasing/instilling prosocial behaviors by addressing issues with self, family, peer association, and other needs. Youth support services like GIP are delivered by a Behavioral Interventionist using an evidence-based curriculum called “Aggression Replacement Training” (ART). Behavioral Interventionists identify and address trauma, use motivational interviewing, facilitate the treatment groups, and provide case management.
Youth Environmental SUD Prevention
Less level of community SUD prevention focuses on preventing youth access and availability of alcohol and other drugs. Efforts include working with the local city governments to pass ordinances that reduce access and availability of alcohol and other drugs, working with local organizations and community members through such as the Antelope Valley Marijuana, Alcohol, and Pharmaceutical Prevention (AVMAPP) coalition to provide free events and trainings for community members. AVMAPP Coalition’s mission is, “To prevent youth access and availability to alcohol and other drugs in the Antelope Valley through policy implementation and community awareness activities.”
Other TTC community prevention efforts include outreaching to parents and youth at community events, providing free presentations, and outreaching through social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@myavmapp) about the facts of alcohol and other drugs, the consequences of alcohol and other drugs, alternatives, and promoting empowering messages. TTC also partners with Kaiser Permanente, California Highway Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host and promote DEA National Drug Take Back Day twice a year, in order to help in the prevention of drug use and overdose deaths Los Angeles County.
Community Education/Training – SUD Certification
TTC College’s Online SUD Counselor Certification program is designed to provide the educational and work-experience components of the certification process for Addictions Counselors. Admission into the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counseling Certificate Program requires a High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent and a student interview. For more information, please contact TTCC@Tarzanatc.org