St. Augustine Program
“I was using anything I could get my hands on,” 15 year-old Rick explained. "I was high all of the time and never went to school. Today, I have a greater understanding of my disease. No excuses anymore -- I am in control of me."
The St. Augustine Program gives back a future that was once in doubt due to substance dependency and abuse. From the comprehensive assessment to the development of an individualized treatment plan and implementation of treatment methods, the St. Augustine Program is designed to reshape a youth’s behavior and treat their chemical abuse dependency in order to develop the skills and coping strategies needed to survive drug-free.
Specially trained therapists, chemical dependency counselors, child and youth care professionals, teachers, and medical staff work with the youth, family, and placing agencies to save and rebuild a life.
Program Treatment Services:
Using the STEPS Toward a Life Worth Living© Model, the St. Augustine Program is designed to prepare boys and young men for transfer to a less-restrictive community living setting or step-down to secure transitional programming in the agency’s St. Anthony Program. The following are offered:
Comprehensive Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Assessment: A comprehensive intensive mental health and chemical dependency assessment is done to identify an adolescent's specific behavioral health needs. The purpose of the assessment is to determine level of functioning; to assess strengths and needs; to formulate a diagnosis; to determine level of care and to specify service recommendations.
Alcohol and/or Other Drug Treatment Services: Adolescents placed within this program have a diagnosis of chemical dependency and will participate in group and individual chemical dependency treatment. Youth in this program participate in at least 20 hours of chemical dependency treatment services per week.
Pharmacological Management and Medical Services: These services include psychiatric, medical, dental, and nursing interventions that address the medical and behavioral health needs of the adolescents served.
Group and Individual Counseling: Based on treatment needs, clients may participate in psychotherapeutic individual, family, and/or group counseling sessions. Dependent upon need, clients may participate in sessions that are based on cognitive behavioral therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) methods.
Placement Criteria
This treatment program was designed for the adolescent with co-occurring substance use, mental health, and/or behavioral concerns, who:
- is medically stable;
- is determined to be substance dependent;
- exhibits behavior problems or mental health needs that are sufficiently severe, frequent, or complex to warrant secure residential treatment; and
- does not have developmental challenges which would compromise or severely limit their ability to benefit from cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Admission Information
Contact:
Cheryl Gyekenyesi
440.843.5588
