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About UsSafe Harbor Adolescent Recovery Program, an innovative trauma-informed substance abuse co-ed treatment program for adolescents. This program is a product of a collaborative agreement between the Charlevoix County Probate/Family Court, Harbor Hall, Inc. and exceptional clinicians with extensive experience in adolescent substance abuse, adolescent mental health, trauma-informed care, and adolescent behavioral medicine.
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Our history
Prior to creating Recovery High, our experience with inpatient treatment was disappointing. Although youth often did comparatively well while actually in the centers 24/7 environment, the cost of treatment was prohibitive, the access to a bed problematic, and the relapse rate alarming when returned home.
In mid to late 1990’s, Adolescent Impatient programs began to close. Access to quality services, lasting longer than a couple of weeks, was difficult at best to find. Cost for such programs was high and success very low. This prompted discussion about developing our own program.
In 1999, Recovery High (now SHARP) started operating as an Adolescent Intervention Service—not residential or out patient—an in between. Since it's beginning, we have had over 700 total Admissions representing 50 counties. 83% successfully complete the program.
In early 2015 we began to incorporate Trauma informed Therapy along with Substance Abuse treatment. As we worked thru programming it was evident that we needed to restructure the entire way we presented our material and therapy to our youth. Along with these major changes came the decision to rename the program to better identify it with our new services. On October 1st, 2015 Safe Harbor officially took the place of "Recovery High."
In mid to late 1990’s, Adolescent Impatient programs began to close. Access to quality services, lasting longer than a couple of weeks, was difficult at best to find. Cost for such programs was high and success very low. This prompted discussion about developing our own program.
In 1999, Recovery High (now SHARP) started operating as an Adolescent Intervention Service—not residential or out patient—an in between. Since it's beginning, we have had over 700 total Admissions representing 50 counties. 83% successfully complete the program.
In early 2015 we began to incorporate Trauma informed Therapy along with Substance Abuse treatment. As we worked thru programming it was evident that we needed to restructure the entire way we presented our material and therapy to our youth. Along with these major changes came the decision to rename the program to better identify it with our new services. On October 1st, 2015 Safe Harbor officially took the place of "Recovery High."
program SYLLABUS
Safe Harbor is typically a 120-150 day program. When youth are ordered into placement our counselors spend the first weeks developing a treatment plan based on numerous assessments and the 120-150 day window. As we reach the 120 day mark with the youth, contact will be made to the referring agency informing them of where their client is in their treatment goals. At that time a decision will be mutually agreed that the youth will; be returned to their referring agency to complete the remaining goals, or remain in programming until the goals have been completed. If it is agreed to return the youth home a “Mutual Discharge” will be given from Safe Harbor; however, we will outline goals that need to be addressed and completed in order for the treatment plan to be fulfilled.
Our program utilizes the Seven Stages of Change developed by Prochaska & DiClemente. Youth often move up and down in these stages and a weekly report will inform you of where your client is in that week. What we use to advance them within the program is very similar to what many Drug Courts use. The timelines below are approximate;
Orientation 1 week conducting assessments, academic placement, acclimation
Freshman 3 weeks
Sophomore 1 month
Junior 1 month
Senior 1 month
Each level has a checklist of what must be accomplished prior to level advancement. Once the prerequisites for the level have been reached the youth may request a level advancement.
When a youth requests to level up they will prepare a narrative on why they feel advancement is warranted. This will be presented first to their peers and then to the Safe Harbor team, in an informal, nonthreatening environment.
When a youth advances to “Senior” they will be given a project that must be completed prior to their completing placement. This assignment will be assigned by the Safe Harbor Team.
A graduation certificate will be awarded to all youth who complete placement.
Behavior
Behavior is a concern because it is closely related to effective learning from both the youth's and staff's perspective. When Safe Harbor is free of disturbances, youth can use group and activity time for learning new recovery skills. Recovery occurs in places where the time allotted for treatment is used for treatment. When time is used interacting with youth whose behaviors are not focused on recovery, less time is available to heal and develop new skills. One youth's behavior can use other youth's treatment time by distracting them or by taking the counselor's time away from the group. When the entire groups' behavior meets expectations, then treatment can be maximized.
Counselors' Goals
Counselors' goal in behavior management is to have appropriate behavior displayed by youth because it:
Youth benefit from treatment when behavior management is used to promote positive behaviors (skill
building) and encourage recovery. Benefits include:
The overall goal is to create a positive, treatment environment where youth get along with peers and staff. Many learning experiences require cooperation. Group activities, cooperative projects, peer mentoring, group counseling, one-on-one counseling and staff lead instruction are some areas where cooperation is necessary for learning. If a youth discovers they will be involved in positive experiences, cooperation is more likely.
SHARP utilizes a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach to treatment/therapy. All youth have interactions with multiple staff. All youth behavior is observed and reportable to the MDT for action on a daily basis. Any member of the MDT may bring up observed or reported observed youth behavior/s to be addressed and may recommend a level status change. The MDT makes a consensus determination of level status change. All Level changes are individually approached and determined by multiple factors that include: the nature of the behavior issue, history of behavioral issues in Safe Harbor, Stage of Change, motivation, etc.
Treatment Projects
The primary purpose of these projects is to give the kids the opportunity to process their treatment and recovery. The main questions being:
1.) Where were you when you entered treatment?
2.) Where are you now?
3.) How did you get here (changes in behaviors, thoughts, meaningful treatment
experiences/insights)
This is not, by any means, an exhaustive list of projects. Any project that can answer the above questions and can be used to process treatment will work.
Each of these projects should have a written explanation. In the past, I have been the “stenographer” and typed their answers word-for-word for each project. Then we will go back and edit it together.
Tree Project:
This is the most in-depth project.
The following questions are to be answered for their tree project.
Bridge Project:
Using collage or crayons, colored pencils, medium of choice, create two islands and a bridge connecting them. One island represents life before treatment. The second island represents where the client is now in recovery. The bridge represents what it took to get from one island to the other.
Coat of Arms / Shield Project:
The client draws a “shield” and divides it into four sections. The four sections can represent four treatment phases, or stages of change, or however they would like to divide their progress in treatment. The client draws, collages, paints a picture that represents/symbolizes the most important aspect of that treatment phase/stage of change. To help along the way, back in ye olden times, certain symbols represented specific characteristics to make up a family coat of arms. You can find these online or in my file cabinet under “coat of arms.”
Our program utilizes the Seven Stages of Change developed by Prochaska & DiClemente. Youth often move up and down in these stages and a weekly report will inform you of where your client is in that week. What we use to advance them within the program is very similar to what many Drug Courts use. The timelines below are approximate;
Orientation 1 week conducting assessments, academic placement, acclimation
Freshman 3 weeks
Sophomore 1 month
Junior 1 month
Senior 1 month
Each level has a checklist of what must be accomplished prior to level advancement. Once the prerequisites for the level have been reached the youth may request a level advancement.
When a youth requests to level up they will prepare a narrative on why they feel advancement is warranted. This will be presented first to their peers and then to the Safe Harbor team, in an informal, nonthreatening environment.
When a youth advances to “Senior” they will be given a project that must be completed prior to their completing placement. This assignment will be assigned by the Safe Harbor Team.
A graduation certificate will be awarded to all youth who complete placement.
Behavior
Behavior is a concern because it is closely related to effective learning from both the youth's and staff's perspective. When Safe Harbor is free of disturbances, youth can use group and activity time for learning new recovery skills. Recovery occurs in places where the time allotted for treatment is used for treatment. When time is used interacting with youth whose behaviors are not focused on recovery, less time is available to heal and develop new skills. One youth's behavior can use other youth's treatment time by distracting them or by taking the counselor's time away from the group. When the entire groups' behavior meets expectations, then treatment can be maximized.
Counselors' Goals
Counselors' goal in behavior management is to have appropriate behavior displayed by youth because it:
- Creates a safe treatment environment for all.
- Encourages learning by eliminating distractions.
- Is respectful to other youths and staff.
- Facilitates the organization of the environment so treatment time is efficient.
- Increases time available to address and interact with recovery related subjects.
Youth benefit from treatment when behavior management is used to promote positive behaviors (skill
building) and encourage recovery. Benefits include:
- The opportunity to learn, practice and develop social skills.
- The positive experience of getting along with others.
- Experiences with group and cooperative activities.
- Meeting the goal of following procedures developed for effective treatment.
- Learning behavioral expectations in different situations.
The overall goal is to create a positive, treatment environment where youth get along with peers and staff. Many learning experiences require cooperation. Group activities, cooperative projects, peer mentoring, group counseling, one-on-one counseling and staff lead instruction are some areas where cooperation is necessary for learning. If a youth discovers they will be involved in positive experiences, cooperation is more likely.
SHARP utilizes a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach to treatment/therapy. All youth have interactions with multiple staff. All youth behavior is observed and reportable to the MDT for action on a daily basis. Any member of the MDT may bring up observed or reported observed youth behavior/s to be addressed and may recommend a level status change. The MDT makes a consensus determination of level status change. All Level changes are individually approached and determined by multiple factors that include: the nature of the behavior issue, history of behavioral issues in Safe Harbor, Stage of Change, motivation, etc.
Treatment Projects
The primary purpose of these projects is to give the kids the opportunity to process their treatment and recovery. The main questions being:
1.) Where were you when you entered treatment?
2.) Where are you now?
3.) How did you get here (changes in behaviors, thoughts, meaningful treatment
experiences/insights)
This is not, by any means, an exhaustive list of projects. Any project that can answer the above questions and can be used to process treatment will work.
Each of these projects should have a written explanation. In the past, I have been the “stenographer” and typed their answers word-for-word for each project. Then we will go back and edit it together.
Tree Project:
This is the most in-depth project.
The following questions are to be answered for their tree project.
- What are my roots? (roots are good and bad choices, experiences, beliefs, characteristics, behaviors)
- What helps me stand tall? (support network, community resources, family system, etc.)
- What am I reaching for? (present and future goals)
- What am I hiding? What don't I show to others? (areas that will need additional work)
- What don't I need any more? (broken branches - unhealthy relationships, drugs, etc.)
- What is special about me?
- What am I growing into?
- How does my tree weather the storm? (stress management skills)
- How do I live in a forest? Do I get along with others?
Bridge Project:
Using collage or crayons, colored pencils, medium of choice, create two islands and a bridge connecting them. One island represents life before treatment. The second island represents where the client is now in recovery. The bridge represents what it took to get from one island to the other.
Coat of Arms / Shield Project:
The client draws a “shield” and divides it into four sections. The four sections can represent four treatment phases, or stages of change, or however they would like to divide their progress in treatment. The client draws, collages, paints a picture that represents/symbolizes the most important aspect of that treatment phase/stage of change. To help along the way, back in ye olden times, certain symbols represented specific characteristics to make up a family coat of arms. You can find these online or in my file cabinet under “coat of arms.”
