Youth Central Intake Care Coordination (CICC) staff facilitates access to the range of publicly funded services offered by the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) for Massachusetts youth with substance use issues. Through a process of screening, assessment and referral families can establish and access appropriate care for their adolescents and receive support throughout the process.
Screening tools can help determine whether it is appropriate for a youth to go for a full assessment. One such screening tool, the CRAFFT, was developed specifically for professionals in the medical community such as pediatricians and school nurses.
The Central Intake Care Coordination team provides bilingual services and is a resource for families and can assist them in finding services. Many adolescents can stay at home and in their communities while they attend outpatient treatment, which can include individual, group and / or family therapy. Outpatient providers can assess youth for whom less intense, outpatient care has not resolved substance use issues. Central Intake Care Coordination staff can assist families with resources to community-based services.
If the outpatient provider recommends comprehensive residential substance abuse treatment services, Central Intake Care Coordination staff coordinates admission to one of five treatment programs. There are three Adolescent Residential Substance Use Treatment Programs for boys: CAB Adolescent in Danvers, Phoenix Academy in Springfield, and Project Rebound in Quincy. The two girl’s Adolescent Residential Substance Use Treatment Programs are Highland Grace House in Worcester and Pegasus in Lawrence. The average length of stay in the program is 90 days. Central Intake Care Coordination staff can offer assistance to families with the BSAS uniform pre-admission paperwork and help explain to youth what to expect in the treatment program.
In the event that a bed is not immediately available, Central Intake Care Coordination is a resource and support to families. Through regular telephone check-ins Central Intake Care Coordination staff can offer resources for the brief period of time a youth is waiting for services. If it is appropriate to refer the candidate to an alternative program, CICC staff will offer referrals.
The BSAS-funded Residential Substance Abuse Treatment programs offer a comprehensive, integrated approach. Youth treatment services are separate from adult programs and are gender and culturally specific and ADA compliant.
Qualified staff creates individualized treatment plans for each youth. Each youth receives highly structured, developmentally appropriate clinical services including medical and psychiatric services as needed. An in-house Educational Coordinator coordinates educational objectives with a school from the child's community.
Each youth receives individual counseling at least once a week and attends daily groups for support and life skills building. Programs provide highly structured recreational activities. Family therapy is an important part of youth residential treatment and programs work with families to address transportation and scheduling issues.
Relapses are addressed clinically in accordance with program policies. The programs are equipped to work with youth engaged in narcotics addiction treatment. Girls who are pregnant are welcome. After care services include relapse prevention training, follow-up plans and referrals to community resources and/or outpatient programs.
For more information, please contact Maggie Giles, Director of Youth Services at maggiegiles@healthrecovery.org or 617-661-3991 x116