STEPPS

Substance Use Disorders

Substance Use Disorder/Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that affects every aspect of a user’s life.  Since 1969, YFA Connections has helped individuals seeking recovery from chemical dependency. Our highly skilled and caring staff provides treatment programs that are individually tailored to help each client live a healthy, productive and substance free life.

Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Co-occurring Disorders: YFA Connections is licensed by the State of Washington to provide behavioral health services that are dual-diagnosis enhanced which means we provide outpatient treatment and refer to a Psychiatric ARNP and other community resources for medication management for individuals who suffer with both a mental health issue and a substance use disorder.

Treatment Options

ASAM Level 1 Outpatient
ASAM Level II Intensive outpatient
Individual, group, and family counseling

The goal of substance abuse treatment is to help each person live a substance-free life.  The process begins with an intake assessment at which time each individual’s substance abuse and other pertinent information is assessed.  The person is then assigned a counselor and together they plan the course of treatment.  The entire process is confidential, and the treatment plans vary depending on the individual’s issues and needs.

Treatment Goals

• Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs
• Resolution of legal issues
• Improvement in life skills
• Development of healthy support systems
• Delivery of healthy infants
• Stabilization of mental health

Payment options include:  Kaiser Permanente, Premera, Asuris, Molina, Community Health Plan of Washington, Amerigroup, Coordinated Care, Medicaid and self-pay options.

The DIRECTIONS Program is a community based mental health service operated by YFA Connections and designed to provide services on site in schools and in the neighborhood of the child or youth and their family. Services are available for Medicaid eligible students in grades K-12 in the Riverside and Deer Park school districts.

The program is designed to provide school based mental health services that accomplish the following desired outcomes:

• Provide mental health services on site at the school and in the community of the child or youth and their family.
• Assist with referrals and support youth and families with Medicaid enrollment.
• Rapid access to mental health services for assessment and treatment.
• Coordinated treatment with the student, their family and teacher, and other resources, as indicated (e.g. probation officer, school teams, natural supports, mental health care provider (MHCP), physician, and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and/or Children’s Administration social worker).
• Provision of community-based services when access is a barrier or as identified by the individualized service plan.
• Services are offered year-round, including a summer program, so there is no disruption in services.
• Services are flexible to best meet the needs of the student, family and school.

In addition, the therapists are involved in consulting with the school districts about mental health concerns and process for implementing practical strategies with the students.  DIRECTIONS therapists employ a range of treatment modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools and services include: Assessment, Individual Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, and Case Management. Medication Management and Psychological Evaluation referrals will be provided as appropriate.

The Crisis Residential Center (CRC) is co-located with the HOPE Center and is operated by YFA Connections through a contract with the Department of Commerce.  We provide a short-term residential youth program that offers shelter and mediation services for youth and families.  The goal of services is to achieve reconciliation and for the youth to return to their parents and family.

Eligibility:

• Youth aged 12-17.
• Youth who have run away from home.
• Youth who are homeless.
• Youth with families who are experiencing conflict that could lead to running away or homelessness.
• Youth who are part of a CHINS petition.
• Youth who are subject to an At-Risk Youth petition.

Family and Youth Requirements:

• All placements and services are voluntary for the family and the youth. Services can be terminated at any time.
• The CRC is not a “lock-down” facility and staff members will not attempt to physically prevent a youth from leaving should they choose to go unless there is a serious safety concern.
• Though it is the youth who temporarily resides at the CRC, the family will participate in mediation with trained staff. Ideally the first family session will be facilitated within 24 hours of the initial placement.  There will be as many or as few sessions as reasonably possible to achieve reconciliation.
• The family and youth will make reconciliation the priority during services and will make effort to attend all scheduled mediation.
• The CRC is not a punishment, but instead is a means for families to learn to manage crisis and rely on their strengths.
• If possible, youth will attend their home schools or be provided the school work to keep from falling behind.

Mediation:

• Mediation is not therapy or treatment and staff will help the family focus on reconciliation through basic problem-solving, planning and conflict resolution.
• Referrals will be made for any needs that the family has that lies outside the scope of practice at the CRC; needs such as mental health, medical, and chemical dependency are outside the abilities of trained staff members.
• Permanency planning is provided for youth and families who are homeless.

There is no guarantee that mediation at the CRC will be successful.  It takes commitment and willingness on the part of all members of the family to achieve reconciliation.  The CRC provides the space and the staff members to help the family remain a unit.

The HOPE program is co-located with the Crisis Residential Center and is a service operated by YFA Connections.  HOPE is provided through a contract with the Department of Commerce.  The HOPE program provides services for “street youth,” runaway and homeless youth by meeting their residential and basic needs on a short-term basis and connecting them with family and resources in which to thrive.

A “street youth” is someone who is under the age of 18 whom primarily lives outdoors or in an unsafe location not meant for occupancy and who does not reside with their parents or legal guardians.

Eligibility:

• Though any youth aged 12-17 is eligible, older “street youth” are prioritized.
• A youth must be willing to participate in all the services that are provided.
• Youth must be safe and not a threat to themselves or others
• Youth must not be a threat to the safety of other youth at this location.

Youth Requirements:

• The HOPE Program is voluntary, and a youth can end services at any time.
• Youth will work with program staff members to assess their individual needs.
• They will help develop a plan for meeting their needs through this program and referrals to other resources.
• Youth will reside at the HOPE Program during placement. Program and guardian approved outings, school and medical appointments are reasonable times that the youth can temporarily leave and will be planned in advance.
• If appropriate, there is the potential for family mediation in order to reconcile the youth with their family. If family mediation is pursued, then it is the priority of the placement.

Services:

• The goal of services is to work toward a safe exit to a permanent and safe living situation.
• Staff members will work with the youth to create a permanency plan.
• Mediation, if provided, will focus on the youth and family’s strengths. The facilitator does not provide therapy; instead the meetings with the family will focus on problem-solving, reunification and provision of resources.
• Connections to educational advocates, mental health providers, medical resources, and housing coordination are explored.

Placement in the HOPE Center is possible through the youth’s determination and self-motivation.  The HOPE Center is available to youths who want to work on the issues that have led to their homelessness or life on the streets.  They must be willing to engage the program in a way that will lead to a meaningful resolution and permanent plans for a stable living situation.