As an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization or juvenile detention, many girls are referred to Excelsior when parents, clinicians, social workers, or probation officers determine that long-term treatment is necessary.

Upon entry, an Individualized Treatment Plan is developed utilizing input from the placing agency, client and parents. Treatment Plan goals incorporate information from prior history and evaluations as well as assessments by Excelsior's professional staff. The therapeutic, education and life-skill goals are regularly monitored and reviewed by the resident's entire treatment team. Treatment methods include individual and specialized group therapy, family counseling, and milieu and recreational therapy. All therapies are carried out within a framework of Reality Therapy principles that stress individual responsibility for one's own actions and management of behavior.

Our girls live in 12- to 24-bed cottages or dorms, learning life skills such as cooking, grocery shopping and balancing a checkbook. Due to the diversity of our teens not only in age but also culturally and socially, we attempt to provide activities that address their individual differences while promoting group participation. Our chaplains provide leadership to those individuals wishing to grow spiritually. We celebrate the richness created by serving a variety of cultures, beliefs and life experiences.

Day Treatment Program

Day Treatment has been an important part of Excelsior's continuum of treatment services supporting adolescents and their families by providing a safe, structured environment that promotes success. Day Treatment has provided an alternative for at-risk girls, ages 12-18 to prevent removal from their families for over 25 years. Generally, these girls are behaviorally and emotionally stable enough to reside safely in the community but struggle to function effectively in the public school setting. The goal is to provide a fully developed alternative school program with comprehensive therapeutic treatment services for the students, and increase their ability to return to and function within the public school setting. To address the needs of clients and families Excelsior offers Day Treatment and Enhanced Day Treatment.

Excelsior's treatment staff utilize the practices of Reality Therapy and work from a Strength Based Care approach that is solution-focused and recognizes that there is "no such thing as a bad kid", but rather just bad choices. Girls participating in the treatment program are challenged to be accountable for their actions and to make more effective choices so that they may succeed in life. Excelsior's treatment program is implemented through a comprehensive approach, individualized to meet each adolescent girl's unique needs. Utilizing Excelsior's highly structured treatment program, girls participate in a treatment program that is facilitated in a safe and validating environment.

Outcomes

• Consistent and effective programming available in one setting to avoid delays or disruptions in the therapeutic process.
• Cost effective.
• Improved confidence and self-esteem for the client in facing everyday challenges
• Improved family functioning.
• Improved school attendance and performance.
• Decreased substance abuse and behavioral issues.
• Greater access to community support services and more effective community integration.

Therapeutic Services:

Treatment Planning, Assessment and Evaluation
Immediately after admission to Day Treatment the client's needs and strengths are assessed using the following tools:

• Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scales-2 (RADS-2)
• Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment
• Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI)
• Beck Assessment Inventory,
• SASSI (as needed)

Secondly, a Psychiatric Evaluation will be completed to determine the client's clinical diagnosis and to review medication history.
Next, a treatment plan with short-term and long-term goals and objectives will be developed by a multidisciplinary team to address the client's specific needs and outline specific supports and interventions to help her be successful.
Finally, the Aftercare Coordinator will work with the treatment team and family to help indentify transitional needs and resources.

Individual Therapy - Utilizing a solution-focused approach, the client will work in weekly sessions to address diagnosed problems, teach new coping skills, promote effective choices, and promote healthy problem-solving and goal setting.

Family Therapy - On-site therapy sessions, telephone consultation, 24 hours crisis telephone support/intervention and on-site Impact Family Therapy are provided to promote the following:

• Empower the family to build supportive, nurturing relationships
• Develop a structure for the home that provides safety
• Develop healthy problem-solving, socialization and coping skills
• Increase effective communication
• Identify and utilize community and family resources
• Reduce family tension and aggression
• Teach and reinforce healthy boundaries

Specialized Group Therapy - Available on site to address a multitude of treatment issues. Typical group topics may include: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Substance Abuse, Anger Management, Healthy Relationships, Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Relapse Prevention, Life Skills, and Family Dynamics.

Medication Management - Weekly therapist consultation with the psychiatrist and medication management when appropriate.

Case Management -Monthly collaborative staffings to provide consultation with placement agencies and community support systems in order to plan for and ensure continuity of care, especially in periods of transition. Written reports available to agency officials, courts and school districts upon request.

Transportation - Excelsior is available to bring clients to the campus and return them after the school day; this promotes consistent attendance and improved school performance.

Programming During School Breaks - Excelsior provides programming for clients on days that school is traditionally out (ie: holidays, no contact school days, etc.)

Structured Afternoon/Evening Care - Available for parents who are in need of additional support prior to getting off work. Parents can pick up their child on the way home from work. During their time on campus, clients are involved in activities such as study hall, additional group time and recreational therapy opportunities.

Educational Services:

Excelsior's Junior/Senior High School is accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

• Each student works with an Educational Diagnostician to create a school schedule that supports their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or PLP (Personal Learning Plan), outlining the goals and objectives that help the student learn best. Each student then works toward completion of these goals during the school day. Students are able to work in classes that cover core subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies), as well as Art, Music, Physical Education and variety of elective classes (i.e.; Women's Studies, Computers Applications, etc.).
• Vocational Training and General Educational Development (GED) preparation are offered to address students that have not thrived in the public school setting, Career Planning and Job-Seeking skills are also emphasized. The educational program is reinforced with individual, group, and family therapy services, along with community supports.
• Each student will have a specific Behavior Management Plan created to address dangerous or counter-productive to the school setting behaviors. This plan will list strategies for effective coping.
• Excelsior's school works with providers and school districts to provide additional educational supports such as speech/language therapy.

Enhanced Day Treatment (Optional)

At a supplemental rate, Enhanced Day Treatment provides additional services to support clients and families to include the following:

In-Home Impact Family Therapy and Behavior Coaching - In-Home Family Therapy and Behavior Coaching is available up to 6 hours a week, as appropriate, is available to support the client and family.

Overnight Crisis Care and Hospital Diversion - Provided on campus in one of the residential units for 1-2 nights at the Day Treatment rate. Additional nights available at the residential rate on approval from the social worker, placing agency and/or courts.

Additional Psychological Testing and Assessment - Excelsior's psychologist can complete testing and assessments to further address questions concerning the client's mental health and/or how she functions or learns.

Parenting Group - Excelsior provides groups to parents that are supportive and psycho-educational.

Referrals and Admission:

Referrals will be accepted from county human services agencies, school districts, juvenile courts and families placing privately by contacting the Admissions Department at Excelsior below:

Christy Pennington, LPC
Admissions Manager
303-693-1550, ext 228
christyp@excelsioryc.org

Jim Uhernik, LPC
Director of Business Development and Admissions
303-693-1550, ext 212
jimu@excelsioryc.org

Decisions for admission will generally be made quickly, and clients may begin in the program within 24 hours of completion of the intake process.

Stabilization and Assessment Program

Purpose: To provide a safe and secure environment to stabilize the child within a short residential length of stay of up to 30 days and to provide a complete array of assessments to determine the needs of the child and family/caregiver, make recommendations and connect with resources.

Profile of client that would be accepted to this program: The typical profile of a child accepted to this program would be one that has been struggling at home and has demonstrated that she is a danger to herself and/or others and has been beyond the control of her parents and caregivers. She would likely also not be responding to school and/or mental health services that are in place and there would be questions about diagnosis and problems.

Services: The following services may be provided as agreed upon by Excelsior and the referring agency

• Client will participate in all of the standard mental health, academic and life skills assessments that are completed for a client at Excelsior including: Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scales-2 (RADS-2), Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment, and the Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI)
• Psychiatric evaluation will be completed by psychiatrist to assess client's history, level of functioning, presenting problem, medication history and effectiveness of medications as well as responsiveness to treatment and various levels of care and provide diagnosis.
• Medication supervision by Excelsior's psychiatrist can be provided as well as consultation with treating psychiatrist in the community.
• Customized Treatment Plans developed by a multidisciplinary team, in cooperation with the family and referral agency tailored to the individualized needs of the adolescent to promote successful reintegration into the community.
• Psychologist can complete psychological assessments
• Medical staff will complete a physical and assess any medical needs
• Therapist/Aftercare Coordinator will make recommendation for services (ie connect with Mental Health agency) and connect family with resources
• Direct care staff will complete milieu assessment/social interaction, counselor observation component to determine areas of concern and make recommendations
• Client will receive all regular services provided in the regular residential treatment program which includes weekly individual therapy, weekly family therapy, daily group counseling, weekly specialized therapy groups, structured full-time school program, and recreational programming. (**see Residential Treatment Program description below for details.)
• Therapist will provide a comprehensive discharge summary which addresses all recommendations.

Rate: The rate will be the same as the standard rate for residential treatment but will include the extra cost of psychological testing.

Residential Treatment Program

Located on a 33-acre campus in Aurora, CO in the Denver-Metro area, Excelsior has specialized in the treatment of high-risk, emotionally and behaviorally disturbed adolescent girls for over 37 years. Excelsior is a private non-profit treatment program and is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. (COA). Excelsior accepts referrals from many states and from a variety of agencies including social services, mental health, school districts, probation, and private insurance.

Excelsior's staff-secure facility provides a safe and structured intensive treatment program for high-risk and emotionally disturbed adolescent girls. Using Gender Specific Treatment and a Strength Based Care model, Excelsior treats a variety of problems including: Mood Disorders, Conduct Disorder, Substance Abuse, Trauma, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, Mood Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. To address the wide range and complexity of problems that are often presented, Excelsior has a well developed and highly structured treatment program. Core components of the treatment program include:

• Assessment upon entry: Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scales-2 (RADS-2), Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment, and the Basic Achievement Skills Inventory (BASI)
• Psychiatric evaluation and on-going medication supervision by a psychiatrist
• Customized Treatment Plans developed by a multidisciplinary team, in cooperation with the family and referral agency tailored to the individualized needs of the adolescent to promote successful reintegration into the community.
• Weekly Individual Therapy
• Weekly Family Therapy
• Daily Group Counseling focused on life skills, problem-solving and psycho-educational topics
• Specialized Therapy Groups (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Substance Abuse, Relapse Prevention, Family Dynamics, Healthy Relationships, etc.)
• Recreational groups and activities to promote healthy socialization and team building
• Wellness Program promoting healthy choices, regular fitness and proper nutrition
• Olweus Bullying Prevention Program which includes weekly groups to promote an anti-bullying message
• Pet Therapy (Equine and Trauma Based Canine Therapy) to address past trauma and help adolescents to heal
• On-site swimming pool and recreation center to promote fitness
• On-site Junior/Senior High School accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. (**See Day Treatment program description for details on Excelsior's educational program)
• A specialized Cottage for younger kids ages 11-15 years old with age-specific programming
• A specialized Cottage that is focused independent living skills for adolescents that may be on a track towards emancipation or may be in need of these skills
• The Treatment and Learning Center (a sub acute Cottage) for extreme high risk adolescents presenting dangerous behaviors.

Once admitted to the residential program, each client receives a Customized Treatment Plan developed by a multidisciplinary team, in cooperation with the family and referral agency, tailored to her individualized needs to promote successful reintegration into the community. This treatment plan is reviewed through monthly staffings with the caseworker and through quarterly staffings with the multidisciplinary team. Family members are strongly encouraged to participate in the program. As treatment progresses, goals and objectives are evaluated and progress is measured.

Referrals will be accepted from county human services agencies, school districts, juvenile courts and families placing privately by contacting the Admissions Department at Excelsior below:

Christy Pennington, LPC
Admissions Manager
303-693-1550, ext 228
christyp@excelsioryc.org

Jim Uhernik, LPC
Director of Business Development and Admissions
303-693-1550, ext 212
jimu@excelsioryc.org

Short Term Intensive Residential Treatment Program

Program Purpose: to provide short term intensive residential treatment services to females 11-18 years of age as an alternative to hospitalization for those young women who can function safely in a residential setting.

Admissions: Intake and admissions will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. An initial treatment plan will be developed in concert with the placing doctor, agency, therapist, mental health agency staff and Excelsior Admissions staff. Medication, if applicable, will be obtained from the placing physician or family. Excelsior's medical staff will conduct a medical assessment within 12 hours of admission. Admissions Contact: Jim Uhernik 303-693-1550 ext. 239 cell 303-717-1054. You may also contact Christy Pennington at 303-693-1550, ext. 228.

Continued placement will be determined by daily utilization reviews. Utilization reviews may be less frequent if requested by the placing agency.

Psychiatric Evaluation: Within 24 hours of admission, Excelsior's Psychiatrist will evaluate the client in person and will conduct a medication review. If the client has a community psychiatrist, Excelsior's psychiatrist will communicate with them.

Psychological Evaluation: If requested by the placing agency, Excelsior's Psychologist will complete an appropriate psychological evaluation.

Treatment Programming: The client will be assigned to a Cottage at Excelsior. A therapist will be responsible for treatment planning and implementation, communicating with the placing agency and providing individual therapy and family therapy. The therapist will meet daily with the client. The therapist will contact the family within the first 24 hours and will communicate with the family daily if this is therapeutically indicated.

Clients will participate in specialized therapy groups. Clients will be eligible to participate in Excelsior's Wellness programming, religious services, recreational programming.

If the placing agency and the clinician/psychiatrist wish to continue providing treatment, Excelsior will coordinate and incorporate their expectations in our clinical and cottage/daily programming.

Initial staffings, DAP notes, log notes and discharge reports will be maintained on each client.

Clients will have privileges and responsibilities according to a Level System.

Crisis Intervention Programming: Should a client's behavior indicate that she is a danger to herself or others, Excelsior will provide services in our Treatment and Learning Center (TLC) and/or our Intervention Unit. If the client's immediate behavior is dangerous to herself or others she may be physically managed in accordance with approved Crisis Prevention and Intervention techniques by staff trained in those techniques.

If needed, the client may spend part or all of the day in TLC. She may spend the night in TLC if needed to keep her and others safe.

Educational Programming
Clients will attend school at Excelsior's middle/senior high school during weekdays if their behavior is appropriate. If the client/student is expected to be in placement at Excelsior for over 2 days, an Excelsior school staff member will contact the home school

Listen to what a former client has to say
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