SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM (STRTP)

PAH is committed to ensuring that all youth in our care have access to the necessary trauma-informed and culturally responsive mental health services outlined by the Needs and Services and treatment plans developed in collaboration with the youth, placing agency, and Child and Family Team (CFT). 

Transition planning includes support to youth, non-minor dependents (NMD'S), and families upon admission to PAH, throughout placement with PAH, and in advance of placement changes. PAH provides transition services in-house and in conjunction with Child and Family Team members.

To ensure that treatment is geared toward attaining permanency and transition to a lower level of care, PAH begins discharge planning with youth at the time of admission and continues throughout placement.   

PAH is committed to supporting each youth in achieving academic success. PAH understands that trauma greatly impacts an individual’s ability to focus, perform, and function in educational and academic settings. Furthermore, trauma-related symptoms are often misunderstood or pathologized in educational settings. 

Educational needs are assessed via youth interview, information from the placing agency and CFT, and school records, and include evaluation of youth’s needs and strengths related to;

academic needs, special education needs, school attendance, developmental functioning, etc.

PAH supports the physical well-being of its youth and ensures that medical needs are being met. We recognize that trauma histories, including medical trauma, stigmatization in medical settings, physical and sexual abuse, and neglect may all contribute to poor physical health, likelihood of developing medical conditions, reluctance to accessing primary care providers, and difficulty taking care of the physical self.  

Medical and physical needs are assessed via youth interview, information from the placing agency and CFT, and medical and dental records, and include evaluation of youth’s needs . 

Services that support the behavioral well-being and mental health of youth are a large and essential component of PAH’s STRTP. Behavioral and mental health needs and strengths are assessed via youth interview, information from the placing agency and CFT, and placement and mental health records, and include evaluation of: 

PAH will ensure access to mental health services, as appropriate based on the assessed needs and the Needs and Services plan for each of the youth. All Needs and Services Plans will include mental health needs that have been identified by the assessment or the case plan. PAH will collaborate with the Child and Family Team about the youth’s mental health needs and appropriate services, including referrals. 

Group therapy is provided weekly and facilitated by PAH Clinical staff. Therapy groups will be designed based upon the needs of the current population as determined by the administrator and clinical staff. Groups may run for a course of 4,8, or 12 weeks. 

Regardless of the topic or issue being addressed by the therapy group, the intention of all groups is to promote healing through mutual support and self-help among youth in residence. Together, youth will foster understanding and empathy for one another. The group will help youth to develop tools for navigating conflict in a safe and constructive manner. Through the safe containment of the therapy group youth will begin to foster a sense of trust in one another. By sharing their experiences, youth may recognize their commonality and support one another by identifying and working on triggers and individual and collective patterns of behavior that impede growth.  

Extracurricular activities and social supports offer a unique opportunity for youth to develop their strengths, talents, and interests. Identification and development of strengths are key components of a trauma-informed treatment paradigm and offer a frame to service provision that often differs markedly from labeling, stigmatizing, or pathologizing that youth may have experienced. 

We understand that youth’s trauma histories have likely greatly impacted their ability to participate in healthy, safe activities and relationships. PAH encourages participation in a wide range of prosocial activities as part of supporting the individual interests and relational functioning of youth. In order to determine what activities or services might be appropriate for an individual youth, PAH assesses the following via youth interview, and information from the placing agency and Child and Family Team.

PAH’s goal is for all of the youth we serve to have a safe, healthy, and successful transition to adulthood. This is of course an especially important focus for youth over 16, including non-minor dependents (NMDs), and youth preparing to leave care. 

PAH understand that the impacts of trauma, out of home placement, and other life experiences on the development of age-appropriate independent living and life skills. Regardless of the youth’s age and transition plan goals, PAH will evaluate their independent living skills at intake and will work with them on the development of those skills as part of the daily services provided by the STRTP. 

PAH is dedicated to providing services that promote permanent, life-long connections for the youth in our care. The focus of returning youth to stable home environments begins at the time of referral and remains a focus of treatment throughout the course of services in our residential setting. PAH helps youth achieve the safety and stabilization necessary to reunify with family, develop new, permanent family connections, and return to a family or community setting.