Program Population

• Male and female adolescents
• Ages 12-18 years of age
• Significant behavior and mental health needs
• Currently in DHS custody
• At risk of entering DHS custody
• In need of early intervention service

Program Referrals

• Referring agent completes a one-page referral form identifying the priority risks and protective factors of the referent and submits to Jessi Richins at acsutah@gmail.com for admittance to the program.
• Referent participates in a robust mental health assessment prior to beginning participation in the program. Risk level will be assessed, and recommendations will be completed and provided to the referring agent within a week.
• Youth begins participating in the program daily once mental health assessment is completed.

Program Services

• Weekly individual therapy sessions
• Bi-monthly family therapy sessions
• Bi-weekly psychotherapeutic group sessions
• Weekly family coaching session with the individual and family
• Weekly psychosocial-rehabilitative skills group
• Varied prosocial activities within the community

The program depends on family involvement and support. Family involvement throughout the program is designed to help set the youth and family up to succeed and make healthy changes personally, as well as within the family dynamic and relationships.

Program Schedule

• Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm during the school year (snacks provided)
• Monday-Friday 10am-4pm during school breaks, including summer (lunch provided)
• Transportation will be provided to and from central locations
• Parents or other parties are welcome to drop off and pick up from the program
• Prosocial off-site activities include volunteering, hikes, community services, museums, etc.

Program Funding

All youth participation in the program can be funded by DHS 90758, or through a DHS grant awarded to ACS.