Youth & Shelter Services provides treatment programs for adolescents with substance abuse issues and co-occurring mental health conditions. Treatment at YSS is evidence-based and includes counseling, intervention, and education to promote personal responsibility and long-term recovery. YSS also provides support services for patients’ families and loved ones, and encourages family involvement in the recovery process.
ABOUT YOUTH & SHELTER SERVICES, INC. SEVEN-12 HOUSE
As a provider of programs that help adolescents and their families deal with issues of sexual abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, and substance abuse, Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. (YSS) serves about 8,000 young Iowans per year. The Seven-12 House, which is based in the city of Ames about 30 miles north of Des Moines, offers residential treatment for teenage girls, including those with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. Medically-assisted detox services are not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. (YSS) follows a treatment methodology that is based on the 12-step and evidence-based, methodologies. It includes a minimum of 50 hours of therapeutic and life skills counseling per week. In particular, the program addresses gender-specific factors related to addiction. The program for young women helps develop self-respect, healthy relationships, and coping skills. The highly-structured program also addresses trauma, relapse prevention, and includes AA and/or NA meeting attendance. Treatment typically lasts up to 90 days.
YSS also focuses and developing a holistic recovery through physical reconditioning using recreational therapies. Aside from counseling, the daily schedule also allows for wellness activities such as cycling, basketball, and running. Clients that need educational support can participate in on-site education or G.E.D preparation with a certified teacher. Clients are expected to complete daily chores as a way of combining physical therapy with vocational and sober living skills.
For teens with co-occurring mental health conditions, psychiatric evaluations and medication management can be accessed through this facility. YSS views family involvement as an important part of the recovery process. Family members are encouraged to be involved in the recovery process through multidimensional family therapy (MDFT).
In terms of aftercare, clients can access weekly educational groups during and after treatment that address chemical dependency, bullying, spirituality, values, and communication among other life skills. These classes can be used to maintain sober living skills and lifestyles after treatment is completed.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. includes internationally certified alcohol and drug counselors, as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Other staff members help manage daily activities using their experience in recovery programs and specific areas. Clients will interact with a variety of staff members on a daily basis that can help them manage their recovery.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Youth & Shelter Services, Inc.’s Seven-12 House is a 15-bed facility. It is set in a two-story home along a tree-lined residential street. Residents stay in private rooms while using common areas for treatments. Residents are not allowed to bring cell phones or any other type of electronic device. Other personal items are discouraged to allow clients to focus on their recovery.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
While there were no reviews from alumni of Seven-12 House at the time of this writing, three loved ones reported negative experiences regarding their friend’s and family members’ experiences.
The loved ones were unhappy with the condition of the facility, the treatment from staff members, and the overall program. “The house smells like urine,” B.S. wrote. B.D.D. added that “My child received NO professional counseling beyond drug counseling.” Parent Todd agreed that the facility was “Poorly ran, unsupervised and our daughter’s behavior was worse when she got out. They allow too much unsupervised interaction with other patients.” He gave the facility just one out of five stars for its level of staff support and its leadership, as well as its overall treatment effectiveness.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Currently, no staff members have contributed reviews to Best-rehabs.com. However, reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed indicate mixed feedback.
On Glassdoor, Youth & Shelter Services has an average rating of 3.3 out of five stars based on eight reviews, many of which came from those who work in the two addiction facilities. [1] While staff generally found working with clients at YSS rewarding, several commented on issues with management. “The management is very disorganized and unprofessional,” an anonymous current employee wrote to Glassdoor. A former employee wrote: “poor training, no support from co-workers or supervisors, low compensation, cultural insensitivity all around, and overall negative work climate.”
This feedback was echoed in reviews on Indeed, where the facility earned 3.9 out of five stars based on seven reviews to date. [2] In a representative review, one former employee wrote: “Being able to leave your work at work is a must for this job. It is a rewarding job, doing needed work, but you need to expect that the youth who say they appreciate you one day may hate you the next. Also, with multiple parties involved (including government) there is a lot to learn. I recommend volunteering before applying.”
FINANCING
Youth & Shelter Services, Inc. accepts self-pay, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans. The facility also offers a payment plan with monthly installments for those that need increased flexibility in paying the costs of the recovery program. Co-pays and self-pay payments may be made using credit cards, cash, and checks.
[1] https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Youth-and-Shelter-Services-Reviews-E264367.htm
[2] https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Youth-and-Shelter-Services/reviews