PORT Residential

Our PORT Adolescent Substance Use Treatment Program is for adolescents between 13-17 ½. In order to be determined eligible for our program the teen:

• Primary diagnosis of substance use
• May also have mental health symptoms or diagnosed
• Is experiencing symptoms/behaviors related to his/her diagnosis that severely impairs functional ability in academic, social, vocational, community or family domains
• Is unable to attain/maintain abstinence from drugs/alcohol in a significant outpatient effort
• Has the potential for completing a minimum of 3 months of treatment
• Has the cognitive ability to process program information and behavioral dynamics
• Will have parent/guardian or other caring adult participating in treatment to include onsite support when needed, visitation, transportation, home visits, child-family team meetings, and program facilitated family events

This program requires removal from the home to a community-based residential setting with treatment in a therapeutic setting. Family participation in family sessions is required while the child is in treatment and documentation of TB screening, immunizations and physical examination is required.

Exclusionary Criteria:

• Actively homicidal
• Actively suicidal
• IEP or 504 which requires individual instruction
• IDD diagnosis or have a documented IQ score below 70
• Actively invested in self-harming behaviors
• Significantly behaviorally or psychologically disturbed (requiring a more highly structured program or hospitalization)
• Physical aggression. This includes violent crimes, sexual assault or history of any related incidents, use of weapons to harm others, and/or aggression/violent acts in similar settings
• Active psychosis
• Primary diagnosis of an active eating disorder
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
• Medically fragile or not ambulatory

Providers that would like to make a referral to our program should contact the program to schedule a screening. The screening will consist of an on-site visit to our program in which you, the adolescent and his/her parent or guardian will take a tour of our program and provide information about the patient to determine eligibility for admission. Once your patient has been deemed eligible, there are several things that will need to be completed to secure admission to the program:

• Completed referral packet
• Current Medicaid or private insurance card
• Copy of treatment documents to support the teens need for admission; this should include discharge summaries from recent placements, most current assessment, psychological testing,
• Active court documents
• School records including IEP, 504 or other information to support ongoing learning while in treatment
• TB skin test, proof of immunizations and physical examination completed prior to admission
• Pertinent medical documentation if the teen has preexisting medical conditions that will require monitoring of support while in treatment
• 30-day supply of medications upon admission

Program Components

Our focus on uniquely specializing patient treatment extends to helping adolescent patients re-integrate into a traditional setting during their treatment. The PORT Residential program was built with our Three Pillars of "Professionalism, Compassion and Outcomes" to provide the most personal support and effective clinical service possible. These service methods are designed and implemented to:

• Support the recovery or well-being of the persons and families served.
• Enhance the quality of life of the persons served
• Reduce symptoms or needs
• Build resilience
• Restore and improve functioning and support the integration of the adolescent into the community.

The program utilizes Seven Challenges as the evidence-based practice model. The program’s service modalities include the following:

• Day Treatment – This program is provided at least 5 days a week at a minimum of 5 hours a day with no more than 2 consecutive days off. Each patient is eligible for day treatment services which includes:
• Individual and group therapy- This method’s focus is on clarification, feedback and reflection of the patient’s served strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Drug Education – We combine drug education with primary education. Facts concerning drugs, drug abuse, and its effects are delivered in a nonjudgmental, non-threatening manner, thus allowing the person served to weigh facts and make their own choices. Patients served are encouraged to relate the material presented to their own situations and circumstances.
• Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous — Patients are transported to and from AA/NA meetings during treatment as an opportunity for exposure to community resources which support abstinence and recovery. The spiritual principles of recovery are reinforced during their group and individual therapy sessions. The program assists the persons served with linking to 12-Step Meetings in their home communities, as well as other community support groups as it relates to their needs. School – onsite instruction is available for each adolescent to meet his or her education/vocation goals. An educational plan is developed for each individual in accordance with goals mutually determined by parents, educators, the treatment team and the student.
• Recreational Activities – We provide a variety of therapeutic recreational activities on a daily basis with our residential staff. They can enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, movies, ping pong, indoor/outdoor sports and community outings.
• Adventure Program – The camping trips offers the patient the opportunity to learn and survive with primitive camping skills and to practice their skills to work as a productive member of a group. The trips provide the opportunity for patients to engage in drug free activities and have fun, as well as learn about various historical sites around the country. The trips also motivate the patient to learn more about their environment, cultural history and spark new interests and hobbies. During field and camping trips, patients are accompanied by staff and 24 hour supervision is provided. Key elements that are explored include:

• Daily group and individual therapy.
• Therapeutic activities including but not limited to art, physical education, yoga, music therapy, community outings, and recreational therapy.
• Teaching and providing opportunities for life skills.

• The Element of Change
• Catalyst for Change
• Thought Process
• Motivation

• Residential Component – Within the structure of our residential program, we stimulate a healthy family-style environment which will facilitate the patient’s progression in treatment, as well as help the patient maintain their therapeutic gains and successfully transfer these gains into their home environments. Each patient is provided a variety of services to address his or her treatment goals, strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences such as:

• Therapeutic activities such as individual and group counseling
• Educational activities
• Training activities: community integration goals and activities, identification of target symptoms, behavior management, functional skills, meal planning and preparation, sanitation and infection control
• Crisis intervention
• Development of community living skills
• Family support with the approval of the person served
• Linkages to community resources
• Advocacy
• Development of social skills
• Development of a social support network
• Assistance in securing housing that is safe, decent, affordable and accessible

Our educational plans are designed to enable the student to make a smooth transition back to the regular school in their home community. In Residential, the academic day is structured and additional classes in physical education and art can be offered. Credits earned in these endeavors are accepted by public schools and used to fulfill additional curriculum requirements. Other alternatives include the achievement of the GED or enrollment in a college or vocational training program or continued education with some special therapeutic environment.

The school operates Monday through Friday.