"Access to Treatment" Initiative at Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles

Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles 'Access to Treatment' Initiative ensures that a greater number of Los Angeles County adolescents will have the opportunity to receive substance abuse and mental health treatment that they desperately need. The program's goals are to: extend outpatient and outreach services benefiting the local community; offer more assistance to youth and their families by strengthening the admissions program; and provide a range of culturally-sensitive interventions including outpatient and residential programs, with a special focus on families, especially Hispanic families. In particular, in the months of the program Phoenix House will provide 330 youth in the residential program and 50 youth in the outpatient program with substance abuse and mental health services. New, age-appropriate Spanish and English outreach material will be printed and distributed for outpatient and mental health services. The Speakers Bureau will give 40 presentations and reach about 1,600 people. Hispanic families and youth (90 families) will receive targeted bilingual services and materials. Multi-family counseling groups, activities, and parenting classes will be offered to expand family involvement, targeting 140 families with youth at-risk or involved in the juvenile justice system. Parent Handbooks will be reprinted for all families (400 copies). NCA/NCF