About WestCare Adolescent Services – Hanford
WestCare Adolescent Services provides outpatient addiction treatment for adolescents both in their office and in local schools in Hanford, California. They provide evidence based therapy, peer support, case management and transportation assistance.
This program does not prescribe medication. They accept Medicaid, and some services may be free of charge. Language services are provided for those who speak Spanish as well as those who use sign language.
I was interested in the fact that some of the treatment takes place in the WestCare office, but most of the services seem to be delivered onsite at five different middle and high schools. This can be really helpful for the kids because it eliminates scheduling and transportation conflicts.
Services include individual, group and family therapy along with relapse prevention planning. The counseling uses evidence based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and the Matrix Model.
WestCare also provides a wide range of education about substance use, HIV and Hep C infections and smoking. The youth learn the signs of substance use dependence and addiction as well as how to get help for substance use disorders.
I noticed that there are additional support services available here too. WestCare provides case management and help with social skills development.
The case management services help the student’s family connect to the community resources and social services they need. For example, if the housing situation is unstable or a parent needs help to get work, WestCare can connect them to those services.
WestCare also provides help with youth social skills development. This includes not only forming healthy friendships and relationships but also resisting peer pressure and choosing to have fun without substances, even if others are doing differently.
