Youth and Adolescent   Services

Behavioral Health Intervention

Trauma-certified care by an independently licensed, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) clinician (or certified within 6 months of hire) or licensed associate supervised by the above CCTP.  Clinical services typically occur once per week.   Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be included in weekly individual counseling (family if needed) as well as other modalities, weekly house groups, monthly character development groups, and  liaisons with outpatient psychiatrists and specialist clinicians (such as EMDR, SO, etc).

Our Framework:  ARC

The Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework is a flexible, components-based intervention developed for children and adolescents who have experienced complex trauma, along with their caregiving systems. ARC’s foundation is built upon four key areas of study: normative childhood development, traumatic stress, attachment, and risk and resilience. Drawing from these areas, ARC identifies important childhood skills and competencies which are routinely shown to be negatively affected by traumatic stress and by attachment disruptions, and which – when addressed – predict resilient outcome.

ARC is designed as both an individual level clinical intervention, to be used in treatment settings for youth and families, and as an organizational framework, to be used in service systems to support trauma-informed care. The concepts identified by ARC may be applied to individuals from birth through young adulthood, and have been effectively used with youth with a range of developmental and cognitive functioning levels, and with a wide range of symptom presentations. Caregiver goals are designed to translate across many different types of caregiving systems, including primary (i.e., biological, kin, and foster parents), milieu (i.e., residential, group home), and organizational (i.e., teachers, youth program providers) systems of care.

A structured, routinized therapeutic milieu, informed by Justice Resource Institute (JRI) Trauma Center’s Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework, the integration of sensory tools and other self-soothing strategies, and formal and incidental learning opportunities for social skills, emotional self-regulation, physical and emotional boundaries, and daily living skills.

Adolescent Developmental Disabilities Program (ADDP)

Serving young men 16-20 years old with formal or rule-out diagnoses of mild to moderate developmental disabilities, serious learning disorders, or other cognitive impairments.  ADDP employs family and person-centered practices by developing an individualized, strength-based, culturally competent and trauma certified plan of care that aligns with DCYF’s service plan. The program initially provides high-intensity clinical services, case management, and milieu therapy and will decrease the intensity of these services as the client approaches his goal of permanency or step-down to a family-based setting. The program is designed to assess and stabilize youth within three to twelve months. ADDP will collaborate with the youth, DCYF, engaged caregivers, providers, and natural supports to identify and address barriers to permanency and assist caregivers with developing safety plans and community resources to help prevent repeat maltreatment or placement disruptions.

Bridge Program Supervised Living (BPSL)

Serving young men 16-20 years old who are experiencing instability, complex trauma, substance use, legal issues, truancy, behavioral issues and mental health issues who need placement in a less restrictive setting as they work toward their goals of reunification step-down to family-based setting, or independent living.  BPSL employs family and person-centered practices by developing an individualized, strength-based, culturally competent and trauma certified plan of care that aligns with DCYF’s service plan.

Independent Living Program (ILP)

ILP serves youth who are preparing for transition into adulthood and do not require supervision, rather guidance.  It provides individual apartment-based living arrangements to up to 6 adolescents, ages 17-20 who may be experiencing instability, homelessness, trauma, substance use, legal issues, truancy, behavioral issues, and/or mental health disorders and need placement while working toward their goals of reunification, permanency, or independent living. Youth will receive up to 6 hours of case management/life skills services consistent with their level of independence and individual needs. Staff can also be provided as needed to assist with appointments, transportation, grocery shopping, job searches, etc.