Geauga County Board of Mental Health
& Recovery Services
13244 Ravenna Road • Chardon, Ohio 44024
Phone 440-285-2282 • Fax: 440-285-9617
Hearing Impaired 1-800-750-0750
email: gbmhadas@lightstream.net
Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jim Adams, Executive Director, CEO

The Geauga Youth Center MISSION STATEMENT: The Geauga Youth Center provides a healthy, safe environment in which adolescents can improve emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning, involving families as much as possible, in the hope that youth may successfully return home or to a less restrictive level of care.

Services Housing Locations Events

PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA

• Youth is a male or female between the ages 13-18
• Youth exhibits moderate to serious impairment of behavioral and emotional functioning in more than one of the following areas: home, community, and school.
• Youth's problems may include unruly or delinquent behavior, mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, self-injurious behaviors, abuse history, multiple failed placements, attachment disorder, anger management problems and mild- moderate aggression, attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, substance abuse and chemical dependency
• Youth's IQ is above 70
• Youth has had limited response to less restrictive treatment interventions such as outpatient counseling, one-on-one services, respite, intensive in-home counseling, or foster care.
• Approval of the Director: Geauga County placements also require approval of the Family First Screening Committee. The lead case manager is responsible for presenting to the committee.

PROGRAM EXCLUSION CRITERIA

• Youth displaying severe aggression that indicates a possible need for physical restraint.
• Youth below average intellectual functioning; meeting criteria for mental Retardation (MR) or Borderline MR.
• Youth sexual offenders
• Youth meeting criteria for psychiatric hospitalization due to acute suicidal or homicidal ideation. These youth may be hospitalized for stabilization prior to admission

TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY

The Geauga Youth Center programming is based on research supported strategies of Family Systems theory and Cognitive-Behavioral theory. Research has shown that youth make better gains in residential programs if family members are involved in their treatment. Guardians are kept involved, through family counseling, parent support groups, gradually increasing home passes, and case management support. Residents and family members have opportunity to practice new skills through counseling sessions.

Therapy groups are based primarily on Cognitive Behavioral theory, the approach proven to be most effective with the juvenile delinquency population. Residents participate in their individual service plan. Groups are led by clinicians and include art therapy, Aggression Replacement Training, and Intensive Outpatient Program. Groups focus on healthy identity development, anger management, sobriety, grief and loss, healthy relationships, pregnancy prevention, and self-esteem.

Each resident's program is individualized and guided by their treatment team. The treatment team includes parents, youth Center staff, probation officers, JFS workers, CASA workers, counselors, and a Family First representative. Teams meet regularly to review progress made and need for continued placement. Residents receive daily therapeutic intervention, support, and crisis management relating to their treatment goals.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Mental health assessment
Psychiatric evaluation
Substance abuse/dependency assessment
CD Intensive Outpatient Program
3-5 AA meetings per week
Individual therapy
Family therapy and parent support groups
Group therapy using evidence-based practices
Individual service plan
Independent living skills
On-site school
Graduated home transition with after-care plans

Program Director - 440-279-2092
Case Manager - 440-279-2093