Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona

Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona is a CARF accredited nonprofit organization that serves disadvantaged and at risk girls and young women ages 10 to 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. The programs include residential mental health for children and adolescents and outpatient integrated mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care for children and adolescents.

The organization began in 1896 after an affluent businessman, Charles Crittenton, lost his four year old daughter due to scarlet fever. In his grief, he vowed to provide a haven for young women in need due to abuse, neglect and lack of education.

The residential treatment program is a 40 bed residence that offers girls ages 10 to 18 a safe living space. The treatment program includes trauma informed care. The staff is sensitive to and respects the individual cultural preferences of the clients.

While at the residence, the girls participate in individual, group, and family therapy. The program provides psychiatric care, medical care and education.

They use evidence based interventions like the Seven Challenges, Girls Circle, and dialectical behavioral therapy. The Seven Challenges curriculum addresses substance use issues in adolescents and young adults. The curriculum improves mental health, reduces drug use, and improves relationships. The girls learn to make better decisions that lead to achieving their goals.

Girls Circle is a group program that assists young women to build confidence and self esteem. The curriculum is trauma informed and has been shown to reduce self harming behaviors.

The outpatient program is typically for young women transitioning out of the residential program. The unique thing about this program is the outpatient counseling for parents whose children have been temporarily taken out of the home by child welfare agencies.

The young women have outpatient SUD counseling. Additionally, they participate in group, individual, and family therapy.

The organization has two girls’ ranches, one in Scottsdale and one in Phoenix. The ranches provide a safe environment for LGBTQIA+ girls ages 12 to 17 who aren’t safe at home. The girls attend school, engage in group activities, and find employment.