WHAT IS PREVENTION?
Prevention science focuses on the development of evidence-based strategies that reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.
WHAT IS A SCREENING?
A screening is an interview with a credentialed counselor to determine the needs for prevention services. Throughout the interview a youth reports a full substance use history, relevant life history, strengths, successes, needs, and supports. Lifeways utilizes screening tools: PHQ-9 to further assess the needs of the youth. Based on the information collected during the screening, recommendations are made to best support the adolescent.
WHAT IS PATH?
Lifeways prevention education curriculum, Promoting Awareness to Health, is a prevention curriculum designed to educate youth at age-appropriate levels. Prevention classes consist of group education sessions, a family group education session and individual youth follow up education sessions if necessary. Youth will learn new information and skills to help reduce the risk of further substance related problems in their life.
WHAT IS PATH I?
PATH I is Lifeways Middle School Prevention Education Class. PATH I (Promoting Awareness to Health) is a 10-hour alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention education and skill building class. This class consists of four youth education sessions and one youth and guardian education session. Youth will learn new information and skills that will provide them the opportunity to create change and reduce the risk of further alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug related problems in their life.
WHAT IS PATH II?
PATH II is Lifeways lower-level High School Prevention Education Class. PATH II (Promoting Awareness to Health) is a 10-hour alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention education and skill building class. This class consists of four youth education sessions and one youth and guardian education session. Youth will learn new information and skills that will provide them the opportunity to create change and reduce the risk of further alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug related problems in their life.
WHAT IS PATH III?
PATH III is Lifeways higher- level High School Prevention Education Class. PATH III (Promoting Awareness to Health) is a 20-hour alcohol, tobacco, and other drug indicated prevention education and skill building class. This class consists of eight youth group education sessions, one youth and guardian group education session and two one-hour individual youth follow up education sessions. Youth will learn new information and skills that will provide them the opportunity to create change and reduce the risk of further alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug related problems in their life
WHAT ARE THE COST OF LIFEWAYS PREVENTION SERVICES?
All Lifeways prevention services are free.
ONCE THE PROGRAM ENDS, WHAT HAPPENS?
Once a youth completes the prevention class, if additional concerns are present a recommendation is made for appropriate services. Potential recommendations may be a higher level of prevention, assessment, or mental health services. If there are no additional concerns present, no further recommendations are made.
WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?
An Integrated Assessment is the gathering of information and engaging in a process with the client, thereby enabling the provider to establish the presence or absence of a co-occurring disorder and identifying a client's strengths and needs, determining the client's motivation and readiness for change, and engaging the client in the development of an appropriate treatment relationship in which an individualized treatment plan can be developed. (SD Administrative Rules 67:61:01) During the assessment, a credentialed Lifeways addiction counselor determines if a substance use disorder (SUD) is present and to determine appropriate treatment services. Lifeways utilizes screening tools: BECK, MAYO, and CUDIT-R to assist in the overall assessment. Based on the information collected during the assessment, if DSM-V criteria is met, and the youth is diagnosed with a substance use disorder. Lifeways follows the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in making appropriate recommendations for a treatment level of care.
WHAT ARE THE COST OF LIFEWAYS ASSESSMENT SERVICES?
There is a fee for a full Integrated Assessment. However, we accept Medicaid and offer a Sliding Fee Scale. In addition we are a contracted treatment provider with the state and can utilize that contract for financial assistance. We will not turn anyone away from needing an assessment and will assist parents and guardians with financial eligibility for payment options.
WHAT ARE TREATMENT LEVELS OF CARE?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Patient Placement Criteria are guidelines to help match youth to the appropriate level of treatment service and kind of care needed. South Dakota offers three levels of care for youth:
- Level 1: Outpatient Treatment, offered through Lifeways
- Level II.1: Intensive Outpatient Treatment - a referral will be made to a service provider
- Level III.7: Inpatient Treatment Services, a referral will be made to a service provider
WHAT IS LEVEL 1 OUTPATIENT TREATMENT?
Level 1 treatment is the lowest level of outpatient treatment services. Outpatient treatment allows youth to live in their current environment but in addition they attend treatment services to promote change behavior. Youth appropriate for this level of care present as stable and supported in their environment. Services at this level of care are a minimum of 1 hour per week for 10 weeks.
WHAT IS LEVEL II.1 OUTPATIENT TREATMENT?
Level II.1 treatment is appropriate for youth who present with moderate risks for withdrawal, physical health, or mental health concerns. They appear resistant to treatment services and with moderate risks for continued use and problem potential. They also present with a supportive recovery environment. Services at this level of care are a minimum of 6 hours per week for 7 weeks.
WHAT IS LEVEL III.7 OUTPATIENT TREATMENT?
Level III.7 treatment is appropriate for youth who present with high risk for withdrawal, physical health, or mental health concerns. They appear resistant to treatment services and with high risks for continued use and problem potential. They may require more supervision than their current environment can provide. Services at this level of care are residential placement in a treatment facility for 30-45 days
DO WE REASSESS WHILE IN TREATMENT?
All youth are consistently monitored and assessed while in Lifeways programming. Goals are created and progress is monitored to determine if change can be made, is being made, or if new problems are arising. If a youth no longer meets criteria for a specific level of care, they are reassessed for a more appropriate level of care.
DOES LIFEWAYS WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WHILE WORKING WITH MY YOUTH?
Lifeways obtains the appropriate releases and consents to work with community programs in referral and collaborative services for the youth. Lifeways communicates appropriately with other providers to inform them of the youth's recommendations, progress, and status in Lifeways programming.
WHAT IS THE EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALING OF LIFEWAYS STAFF?
All Lifeways counselors are credentialed by the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals as either Addiction Counselor Trainees (ACT), Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC), or Licenses Addiction Counselors (LAC). All Counselors are supervised by a Clinical Supervisor. Clinical supervision is a good clinical practice that helps to ensure all staff maintain a high level of skill and have access to another perspective when faced with client care.
WHAT COUNSELING THEORY AND METHODS DO LIFEWAYS COUNSELORS UTELIZE?
Lifeways Counselors focus on client directed and client centered therapies. Counselors utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help adolescents identify their own motivations and desires to promote change behaviors. Lifeways delivers evidence-based programs and curriculum.
WHAT IS THE COST OF LIFEWAYS TREATMENT SERVICES?
There is a fee for a full treatment services. However, we accept Medicaid and offer a Sliding Fee Scale. In addition, we are a contracted treatment provider with the state and can utilize that contract for financial assistance. Lifeways is committed to assisting families in payment to ensure cost is not an obstacle in receiving treatment services.
WHAT IS THE ACCREDITATION STATUS OF THE PROGRAM?
The South Dakota State Department of Social Services Division of Behavioral Health certifies that Lifeways, Inc. is granted accreditation in accordance with Rule 67:61 of the Administrative Rules off the South Dakota Department of Social Services for Substance Use Disorder Services:
- Prevention
- Outpatient Treatment
ONCE THE PROGRAM ENDS, WHAT HAPPENS?
When youth are completed from the program, recommendations are made to the adolescents and guardians based on the adolescent’s completion status and needs. Lifeways offers check- ins at the end of the school year for all completed adolescents during that year. Monthly recovery groups are offered on the first Friday of every month to all completed youth for continued support and encouragement in recovery.