Nova Center for Youth and Family Huntsville, AL Gina Koger, LGSW - Director Susan Smith, LPC – Program Mgr.

AIM (Plan) Engage and retain youth in the treatment and recovery process Effect salutary change on substance use related functioning –Increase access to and retention in continuing care following residential treatment –Improve outcomes following residential treatment –Increase utilization of clinically appropriate levels of care –Increase protective factors and decrease risk factors from admission to residential treatment to discharge from continuing care

Change (Do) Established working relationship with residential providers –Improved communication –Information sharing (assessment, tx plan, etc) Utilized ASAM criteria to place youth coming from residential into appropriate level of care versus adherence to the “step down” philosophy previously used Conducted walk through at each facility Case Management to provide wrap around services to adolescents leaving residential treatment

RESULTS (study) Most adolescents are seen within 1 week of discharge from residential tx 46% of the referrals (n. 48) received by Nova were placed in continuing care between April 2008 and June 2009 (1 cl was placed in IOP) utilizing ASAM criteria Implemented case management for substance abusing youth to increase functioning in other areas such as school, family, community Began parenting group June 6, 2009

NEXT STEPS (Act) Continue to nurture relationships with existing referral sources as well as new referral sources Continue to utilize ASAM criteria to place youth in the appropriate level of care Expand case management to provide wrap around services for all clients referred from residential, whether they participate in continuing care or not Increase parental involvement in treatment

IMPACT (Business Case, Lessons Learned) Five Levers –Lever 1 – Nova Center received funds through the grant to provide incentives for clients. As in-home intervention is a new service for adolescents, service descriptions were submitted to the SASD for review. This service will be piloted with the youth served by this grant. –Lever 2 – State guidelines did not allow in-home case management w/SA youth. Nova provided the state with a descriptions of in-home case management services to gain approval for billing and payment at a reasonable rate –Lever 3 – Utilize ASAM criteria to place youth in the appropriate level of care. Developed alternative levels of care to meet client/family needs. Utilized walk-through to improve consumer experience; reduction of paperwork by sharing assessment, treatment plan, and discharge plan with other providers; staff buy in. –Lever 4 – Increased communication with residential providers resulting in improved referral process and increased referrals. Networking and educating JPOs and judges about expanded services and continuing care –Lever 5 – There is currently a system in place for billing continuing care, case management, and/or individual and family therapy sessions. In-home services were recently approved by SASD. Lessons Learned –Communication and networking with other treatment facilities and SASD has been invaluable. –Thinking outside the box can benefit both client and facility –Being open to constructive criticism and making changes when appropriate can be extremely beneficial to clients –Rome was not built in a day – be patient!! Results come to those who wait!