Children and Youth Addiction Recovery Services
Substance abuse by children and adolescents continues to be a troubling part of our society. Abuse occurs in families spanning all races and socio-economic classes. Not only are children and adolescents abusing using illegal drugs, they are also abusing prescription drugs and inhalants. Drug and alcohol abuse can have a devastating effect on children and youth since their brains and bodies aren't fully developed.
The Helen Ross McNabb Center offers residential treatment for substance abuse at the Gateway Center in Louisville. Outpatient treatment is offered through several programs in Knox and other East Tennessee counties.
Children and Youth Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
Redirections is a highly structured after-school program for teens, ages 14 to 18, that have substance abuse problems. The program meets three hours daily, four days a week for six to ten weeks. Family participation is encouraged. Clients learn and practice skills in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and refusal techniques in response to peer pressure through individual and group counseling sessions. Teens are also involved in experiential exercises, introduced to outside support groups and develop a personal relapse prevention plan.
The Intervention Group meets once a week for six sessions, primarily offering alcohol and drug education classes. For more information on children and youth outpatient addiction and recovery services, please call 865.523.8695.
The program Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach, A-CRA, is an outpatient, evidence-based treatment program developed to address the epidemic of substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders among adolescents, ages 12-18. The program provides three months of community-based, in-home therapeutic treatment followed by an additional three months of supportive after-care known as Assertive Community Care, ACC. Clinicians provide thorough assessments, individual and family therapy, group pro-social activities and supportive case management services in the community to meet the individual needs of each client. The evidence-based A-CRA treatment model teaches adolescents and their caregivers how to identify, acquire and utilize reinforcers and positive coping skills for staying substance abuse free, how to use community resources to support positive change and how to develop a positive support system within the family. ACC addresses the important role of continuing care following an active phase of treatment by monitoring, reinforcing and providing support for skills learned in A-CRA. The A-CRA program helps prevent future problems teens may encounter and keeps troubled youth out of state's custody, psychiatric hospitals or other more intensive levels of care.
The Student Assistance Program serves students with academic problems, low attendance, alcohol or drug issues, family problems, or other social difficulties that limit their ability to succeed in school are eligible for this program. The program provides 3 high schools in Knox County with a social work professional to identify disorders and make referrals. Counselors provide in-school counseling as well as educational programs such as in-service training and classroom presentations with an emphasis on prevention.
The Life Skills Training program provides substance abuse and violence prevention counseling to children in grades six to nine. Participants are referred by the Knox County Juvenile Court. The children in this 15 week program learn skills to cope with anxiety and stress, manage anger, and effectively communicate. This program positively impacts our community by reducing the use of alcohol and drugs by middle school age children.
Residential Services
Hamblen County Residential Services are located in Morristown, Tennessee and serves youth aged 13 to 18 with moderate to severe mental illness and/or alcohol and drug issues. This program is part of the Helen Ross McNabb Center, Hamblen County expansion. The program employs an Independent Living tract to help youth 17 years of age who are currently in state custody, prepare for their lives after leaving state custody. The target stay for these adolescents is 90-120 days. The goal is to reunite with the family or placement in Therapeutic Foster Care. Our approach utilizes medication evaluations/services, psychiatric services, individual, group, family counseling, drug and alcohol education, recreation and adventure-based counseling. Our Continuum services follow the youth into their home or foster home to provide home based services for an additional 120 days. The goal is to prevent the youth from re-entering placement or the custody of the Department of Children's Services as well as to continue to meet the child's clinical needs.
The Gateway Center is home to The Helen Ross McNabb Center's co-occurring residential treatment services. It is situated on 40 pastoral acres in Louisville, TN-a perfect place of healing and peace. The residential setting provides treatment for adolescent males ages 13-18 for alcohol and drug abuse or dependence coupled with mental illness (if present). Priority populations are IV drug users and returning clients. Clients receive evidenced based and evidenced informed treatment models including individual and family therapy, group process therapy, dialectical behavior skills group, EMDR and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Families are encouraged to participate in therapy and visitation sessions and in relapse prevention plans. Clients of the Gateway Center will learn new coping strategies and be educated on co-occurring disorders and how to manage their symptoms. A Registered Nurse and a Child Psychiatrist are on staff along with therapists and a team of competent therapists and care managers. Other benefits to our program include:
- An adventure based ropes course with trained facilitators
- An accredited private school
- Plentiful time for physical activity
- 24 hour/ 7 day crisis intervention
- Ability to complete community service hours
- A strengths-based re-education behavior modification program
- Thorough and client centered assessment and diagnosis
- Client and family centered treatment planning
- Weekly treatment teaming of progress
- Family consultation weekly
- We take many forms of private insurance plus have a grant to cover uninsured or underinsured persons
- Excellent option for probation officers and DCS to divert from state custody
For more information on Gateway Center services please call 865.524.5757.
