Daybreak

Addiction Treatment for Court-Involved Youth

A collaboration of Dawn Farm,
Washtenaw County Family Court Juvenile Center ,
and Washtenaw County Children's Services Department

Overview of Program

Daybreak is a special two-year pilot program for adolescent court wards with substance abuse problems. Daybreak is a small continuum consisting of three phases: residential services - day treatment - aftercare.

We expect to serve up to 10 youth and families during the first phase of the program or a maximum of 20 - 25 families during 2004. During 2005, we expect to increase the number of youth and families served depending on program progress and resources to support program expansion.

Youth and families are referred by Family Court staff to Dawn Farm for a substance abuse assessment to determine their appropriateness for intensive, long term treatment. The youth are placed via court order into the Daybreak Program.

During the residential phase of the program, the youth live at the Youth Center. During the day treatment phase, the youth reside at home and attend the day treatment program at the Youth Center. During the aftercare phase of the program, the youth reside at home and attend public school or will be employed.

During both the residential and day treatment phase of program, youth will attend a full day accredited school program, under the direction of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The academic program focuses on the individual academic needs and learning styles of each student, and provides complete educational services for both regular and special education students. During the aftercare phase of the program, WISD staff will work directly with the student and family to encourage and support a successful transition to an appropriate educational setting.

Residential Phase

The initial placement is the residential program within the juvenile detention program where youth will be expected to comply with the existing behavior management system as well as the additional Daybreak Program requirements for each privilege level. Within a short period (24 hours), the youth is expected to be able to move to the A Wing, or higher privileged wing of the facility. While in the facility (no matter where the youth is residing), the youth and family will receive the planned program of services from Dawn Farm and youth center staff. Youth will be allowed increasing amounts of home visitation and outside activities as part of the successful completion of program levels. This phase will last 30-150 days.

The treatment focuses during this phase are: a complete assessment of the youth and family; engagement of the youth and the family; enhancing motivation to change; developing an individualized recovery plan for the youth as well as a family recovery plan; enhancing treatment readiness by preparing the youth to participate in groups; and, preparing the youth to return to the community.

Upon the youth and family's successful completion of the residential phase of the program, the youth then enters the day treatment program.

Day Treatment Phase

As in the residential program, day treatment youth earn increasing privileges based upon good behavior and program compliance. Youth and families in the Daybreak program have additional program requirements in order to comply with their substance abuse treatment plan.

Non-compliance with program rules and/or relapse and/or conditions of probation will put the youth in jeopardy of an array of consequences including: homework assignments, community service, loss of privileges, earlier curfew, house arrest, longer stay in program, short term detention stay, long term detention stay.

This phase will last 6 - 12 months. The youth will be in day treatment all morning, afternoon and early evening, Monday through Friday. The day treatment program will designate time for the Daybreak program in the daily schedule. Participants will continue to receive individual therapy, family therapy, group counseling, didactic sessions, recreational therapy and recovery support services (including weekend contact with a Recovery Support Specialist).

Families will receive parenting support, family education programming and ongoing support for implementing the family recovery plan and enforcing a behavior contract between the parents and the youth.

Aftercare Phase

After successful completion of the day treatment program, youth will enter the after care phase. Youth will be expected to work or attend school, engage in appropriate recreation, follow household rules, and to engage in activities that support sobriety. Every client will participate in developing an individualized aftercare plan. Participation in a weekly aftercare group will be expected for a minimum of 6 months. In addition to this group, the Recovery Support Specialist will maintain regular contact with participants. Initially this contact will be very frequent and will be initiated by the Recovery Support Specialist.

As the participant progresses the contact frequency will be reduced and responsibility for initiating contact will shift to the participant. Wherever appropriate, additional referrals will be provided as part of the aftercare plan.

Additionally, participants are welcome to call or drop into our office for additional support. Participants that are at least 17 years old will also be eligible to apply for transitional housing during this phase.