The Basics
Spectrum Youth and Family Services was founded in 1970 by a group of concerned residents of Burlington, Vermont and the Burlington Ecumenical Action Ministry. With an aim to help at-risk youth or young people in crisis access needed services and develop skills for a successful adulthood, Spectrum provides emergency shelter, transitional housing programs as well as an outpatient program for substance abuse.
Spectrum received the Innovation Award in Substance Abuse Services by the State Associations of Addiction Services in 2010 and was named Agency of the Year by the National Network for Youth in 2009.
Treatment and Staff
Most clients arrive at Spectrum through a referral from another community agency. After an intake session, clients receive a treatment plan that includes a combination of individual, group and family therapy with an average schedule of three sessions each week. Therapy sessions employ CBT, Seeking Safety and the Seven Challenges Model, a curriculum for youth substance abuse treatment. If a client’s therapist feels he or she would benefit from 12-step meetings, attendance is incorporated into the treatment plan.
The treatment team at Spectrum includes Master’s-level Mental Health Counselors, CSWs and LADCs. All clinicians are trained in treating co-occurring disorders and are dually-licensed in addiction and mental health treatment. If clients need medication for their mental health diagnosis or their conditions escalate, they are referred to a nearby mental health clinic. Clients can also receive primary care at an affiliated medical clinic.
Extras
Most clients at Spectrum have case-managers provided by other community agencies to make sure that they continue to receive necessary services after their treatment plan ends. While there is no formal aftercare program at Spectrum, counselors have an open-door policy and remain available to program alumni.
In addition to treatment and housing services, Spectrum offers life skills classes, job placement services and a mentoring program. It also provides a drop-in center and programs for youth who identify as multicultural or refugees. Additionally, Spectrum works with the state of Vermont to develop programs to help young adults successfully transfer out of foster care.
In Summary
With over 40 years of service to the Burlington community, Spectrum Youth and Family Services provides outpatient substance abuse treatment as well as supportive services to help clients develop life skills and build emotional and housing security. Due to staff’s dual-licenses in mental health and addiction treatment, Spectrum Youth and Family Services outpatient program can prove particularly effective for clients suffering from co-occurring disorders and unstable home lives.
Spectrum Youth and Family Services
31 Elmwood Ave
Burlington, VT 05401
Spectrum Youth and Family Services Cost: No cost for those referred from community agencies. Reach Spectrum Youth and Family Services at (802) 864-7423 or by email at info@spectrumvt.org. Find Spectrum Youth and Family Services on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
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