NEW EXPERIENCES PROGRAM

Description of Services
The New Experiences Program is a community based resource and treatment model established to deliver and promote a spectrum of addiction and mental health treatment interventions. The range of interventions is key to recognizing the cultural diversity of youth and expand existing treatment options to accommodate youth who do not engage in current modes of treatment.

The purpose of the program is threefold:

1. Provide assessment, case management, treatment, group work, aftercare and counselling for youth with dual disorders (both substance abuse and mental health difficulties), and their families.
2. Establish coordinated care planning and linkages with services for youth with dual disorders.
3. Provide consultation to existing children's mental health and addiction programs.

The range of services provided by the New Experiences Program include a multidisciplinary assessment (addictions, mental health, psychiatric, psychological and cultural) for youth who present with complex dual diagnosis in the District of Thunder Bay. A culturally sensitive component, delivered by native staff, will exist within the resource team to address the cultural needs of native youth on an individualized basis. The consultation component will enhance existing community and District agencies delivering children's mental health and addiction services. The resource team will provide direct counselling/treatment to youth and involve families when possible.

The New Experiences Program will provide services to those youth who are at greatest risk in relation to mental health and addiction. The New Experiences Program will draw from available resources within the community and ensure the provision of any additional services required. Unique to this team will be the mandate to see to the coordination and provision of such assessment and treatment across traditional agency or institutional barriers where appropriate.

Target Group
The target group will be for native and non-native youth between the ages of 12 to 17 who are experiencing significant mental health and substance abuse problems. Resources are available to address the cultural needs of native youth and families. Clients referred will be living within the City or District of Thunder Bay.

Referral Source
Referrals can be made to the New Experiences Program by youth, parent/guardians, physicians, other service providers and professionals in the community and district and schools. All requests for service are directed to Children's Centre - Thunder Bay's Intake worker upon the agreement of the referred client and/or parent.

Description of the Client
The New Experiences Program will accept referrals of youth identified as dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis is defined as problems with alcohol and/or other substance abuse combined with behavioural, emotional and interpersonal problems. Some of these problems include antisocial and suicidal behaviours, physical and emotional problems, abuse perpetrators and/or victims, loss of significant person, breakdown in families and other self-destructive behaviours.

Program Responsibilities

• Intake
  Intake will gather all pertinent personal information including history, involvement with previous agencies/services and previous relevant assessments.
• Assessment
  The Coordinator/Counsellor will be responsible for administering and interpreting the assessment in conjunction with other necessary professionals, i.e., the psychologist and psychiatrist. An individual treatment plan will be developed based on assessment results and will determine the appropriate admission to service options.
• Treatment
  Treatment services will be delivered in both individual and group formats. Treatment phases will include core programming, relapse prevention and aftercare. Consultation services are available to parents, youths, teachers and other professionals and agencies in the community.
• Consultation
  Provide psychiatric/psychological consultation to program and referring agencies. Paediatric consultation will also be accessed on an as-needed basis. This system will not only ensure that an individual obtains the required service and expertise, but using the resource model, other professionals and agencies will gain the competencies to deal with the dually diagnosed.
• Cultural Services
  Two significant parts of the program are to ensure that services to Native youth are culturally sensitive, and that discharge/follow-up procedures are in place for the clients.
  The cultural needs of Native youth will be provided by Native people. Consultation with the Native community must continue in order to implement what cultural teachings are to be involved with this program.
• Aftercare/Follow-Up
  Aftercare and follow-up services will be developed as part of the individual or group treatment. The Aftercare Worker will provide follow-up services for a limited period of time until other community resources are accessed for continued support. Discharge and follow-up will ensure that family, community and/or other supports are in place for the youth. Aftercare services will primarily be delivered in a facilitated group focusing on peer support and relapse prevention.