The Strengthening Adolescents–Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project works with young people ages 12–24, and their families who are experiencing legal, medical, emotional or personal problems as a result of substance use. Staff provide outreach and home- and community-based family-centered treatment and case management to assist young people and their families in accessing treatment and other resources in numerous cities and towns throughout Greater Boston and the North Shore.

SAFE clinicians use a variety of motivational enhancement strategies and are certified in evidence-based practices effective with young people and their families including the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) assessment tool, Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and Assertive Continuing Care (ACC). These approaches help youth learn communication, refusal and problem solving skills. They also assist young people in building pro-social relationships and identifying new activities for a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to individual and family counseling sessions, SAFE clinicians provide support by using the Parent Time curriculum developed for families of youth struggling with substance use issues and by making referrals to Al-Anon and Learn 2 Cope, a weekly peer-led family support group. The SAFE Project also consults with and supports family members of a young person who is referred but may not be interested in beginning treatment for substance use.

Clients and family members can choose to meet clinicians in places convenient to them: at home, at school or in the community. The SAFE Project has offices in Cambridge, Dorchester and at North Shore Recovery High School in Beverly.

To make a referral or ask questions about referring a youth, please contact Jennifer Rifkin, LICSW, SAFE Project Coordinator, at 617-661-3991or by email at jenniferrifkin@healthrecovery.org. You may also fax a completed referral form to 617-661-7277.