Alternative Homes for Youth (AHFY) treats adolescent males with sexually abusive behaviors, substance abuse challenges, mental health challenges, and challenges with other criminogenic behaviors ages 15-20 under a QRTP license. AHFY treats youth that are dually-diagnosed, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IVTR), with such classifications as, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, or attention hyperactivity disorder (as well as several other DSM-IVTR distinctions). The youth may or may not require use of psychotropic medication.
To make a referral contact Shayna Miller at shayna.miller@ahfy.org.
Minimum criteria for admission in residential treatment program:
- Male youth 15 to 20 years of age
- Youth able to keep self and others safe without constant redirection
- Youth adjudicated for sex offense(s)
- Youth with adequate intelligence and social functioning (IQ at least 80)
- Youth requiring treatment for mental health challenges including but not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Youth with other criminogenic challenges including but not limited to starting fires, trespassing, theft, substance abuse, etc.
- Youth will not be accepted into AHFY if they do not meet the above criteria, are actively suicidal or psychotic, are unable to refrain from physically hurting themselves or others, or are not cognitively able to participate in the psycho-educational program component.
Levels of Therapeutic Care
Residential / QRTP/ Independent Living
Therapeutic Services Offered
- Offense Specific Group Therapy is designed to support youth with sexual behavior problems to interrupt and eliminate patterns of abuse. This group uses a Cognitive Behavioral approach and is facilitated by SOMB credentialed therapists.A
- Healthy Relationships Group utilizes an interactive psychoeducational approach to introduce essential concepts and skills for building and maintaining healthy relationships. Youth are offered opportunities to develop social skills in personal, professional, and dating relationships.
- Independent Living Skills Group introduces life skills to foster independence. Youth receive instruction on subjects such as: budgeting, job searching and interviewing, housekeeping, healthcare, vehicle maintenance, meal planning and nutrition, and other basic skills.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Group combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness. AHFY utilizes a program that was created specifically to work with adolescents and has seen success in utilizing mindfulness practices that are the foundation of DBT work with our clients.
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing-a trauma-focused therapeutic modality, is provided by licensed, EMDR-trained clinician.
- Therapeutic Milieu is an environment where youth are able to practice new skills in everyday living. Through a strengths-based structure, youth progress through Levels and Steps to mark the accomplishments of completed treatment goals and behavioral changes. Communication, empathy, and responsibility are the cornerstones of milieu life.
- Individual Therapy and Family Therapy services are tailored to the unique needs of each client in support of successful completion of their individualized treatment plans.
- Informed Supervision Training is provided for families and guardians of youth with problem sexual behavior. This training is focused on helping supervisors learn how to keep youth and the community safe.
- Limited Spanish speaking staff.