Crisis Intervention
The Advantage Group Foundation seeks to make every effort to make services available in a timely manner. All clients are seen at the time of need.
TAG is also available for school personnel, treatment professionals, and other referring agents for consultation, crisis intervention, and immediate access to services. Between the hours of 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, a phone call will access a counselor. Outside of office hours, an on call counselor is available. Between the hours of 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, a phone call will access a counselor. Outside of office hours, an on call counselor is available.
Parents concerned about their son or daughter may call the agency directly to speak to a counselor or to schedule an assessment.
If an assessment determines that TAG is not the appropriate agency to provide treatment, referrals and linkages will be made to the appropriate type and level of care.
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Comprehensive Assessment
After the initial phone contact, an appointment is scheduled. Parents are asked to bring the child and his/her Social Security Number and your insurance card or Medicaid Card, if applicable. If the parents have insurance, and pre-certification is required, the information should be given to the counselor during the initial telephone call. However, if this information was not presented, it should be brought to the assessment. Information should include: a copy of insurance card, pre-certification number, and contact person if available.
The assessment takes approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours to complete. It involves the following:
Interview with individual and parent(s).
Completion of the Addiction Severity Index (ASAP), which is tailored for adolescents and young adults. This is an in depth assessment tool.
Completion of a drug screen (urinalysis). The assessment is not considered complete if a drug screen is not done at the time of the assessment. A full screen of all drugs of abuse is included. The results identify not only the drugs the client is using but also amounts present in his/her system. The results will identify if the individual is in need of detoxification or another type of program.
Preliminary recommendations are made at the completion of the assessment process and confirmed within 24 hours. If treatment at The Advantage Group is not appropriate, referral and linkage will be made to assist in accessing services for the individual.
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Treatment Programs
From its inception, TAG has believed in matching services to the client. Program components, frequency and intensity of services and duration of treatment are designed to meet the individual needs as identified in the assessment.
The Advantage Group uses the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Criteria for Placement in treatment. TAG offers Level .5 (Education Only) Level I (Outpatient) and Level II (Intensive Outpatient) Treatment. If a client is in need of Level III (Residential) or Level IV (Detoxification) Services, referral and linkage will be facilitated by the Substance Abuse Counselor.
The treatment recommendations are tailored to match the individuals needs. There must be a primary diagnosis of Substance Abuse for admission into treatment services with The Advantage Group.
The Advantage Group offers treatment services to accommodate the schedules of adolescents and young adults with both afternoon and evening hours. Treatment services include group and individual therapy; parent education and support groups; case management; psychiatric evaluation, and medication management, as well as, on site drug & alcohol testing (available only for assessments and clients in treatment at The Advantage Group).
Consistent with our approach, we believe that the first goal of treatment is be drug free for a minimum of 8 weeks. Only when that is accomplished can true behavioral change occur.
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Case Management
Activities related to the continuity of care, including development, implementation, and maintenance of the clients Individual Treatment Plan may include the following:
- Urinalysis (Substance Abuse)
- Outreach: Maintaining contact with clients via home/school/other types of contact.
- Other Linkage, Advocacy, and Consultation: Activities (court reports) done for on behalf of a client to maintain or improve availability and accessibility of services with other providers.
- Consultation with Law Enforcement; Education Institutions; Other Providers: Contacts about specific clients.
- Clinical Staffing: Formal meetings of agency personnel at which specific clinical cases are discussed/reviewed/documented.
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Priority Populations
The Advantage Group gives priority to priority populations as identified by DHS-DASA including pregnant woman, IDU's, and high risk youth.
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