Treatment of Disorders in Children and Youth
OPTIMAL OUTCOME OF TREATMENT
The child/youth attains a level of functioning that is seen as appropriate by the child/youth, primary care-givers, family, therapist, and other support service representatives. The child achieves healthy development and growth, and is better able to manage future episodes of illness.
TREATMENT PRINCIPLES
1. The family/ primary care-giver provides support and nurturance for each child/youth and, as such, should be involved in a working partnership with the mental health professional in all aspects of treatment development, implementation, and evaluation. In instances where children are in state custody and parent's rights have not been terminated, families of origin should be included in treatment planning.
2. Treatment goals and strategies should be collaboratively derived and based on reasons for referral, data collected during the assessment process (per assessment guidelines), and responsive to the needs of the child/youth as she or he functions across daily living environments and situations. Discharge criteria should be addressed at this time.
3. Treatment plans should be individualized considering the following:
4. Treatment plans should identify indicators of progress to include time-frames and responsibility for data collection and analysis. Progress data should be collected from multiple sources across the settings and environments in which the child/youth functions. This should include response to medication and compliance.
5. Family therapy, including siblings and extended family members, and parent training should be considered in treatment planning.
6. Crisis intervention planning should be considered as part of the overall treatment plan.
7. Services must be frequent enough and of appropriate duration to benefit the child/youth and family. Flexibility will be required in scheduling and in being responsive during emergencies.
8. The setting for treatment should be child/youth and family friendly. The setting should be accessible and not place undue stress upon the family. Treatment in the child/youth's natural environment should be sought whenever appropriate.
9. Wrap-around services should be extended beyond the child/youth to include family members, and may include: collaborative consultation, family therapy, respite care, family support, mentoring, and recreational activities not limited to the mental health center. In areas where available, referrals should be made to parent support organizations, e.g., Allies with Families.
10. Each treatment plan should identify a contact person for the child/youth and family who will coordinate the treatment within the agency as well as with other service providers.
11. Staff working with children/youth should be competent in specialized skills. Complex treatment issues may benefit from a second opinion. In rural areas where a child/youth specialist is not available, on-going supervision, training, and support should be provided to the generalist practitioner.
12. After-care and follow-up services are a critical component of planning treatment transitions in order to anticipate the natural maturation and developmental processes.
THESE GUIDELINES
HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BY:
THE UTAH PREFERRED PRACTICE CONSENSUS PANEL
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UTAH
DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH
APPROVED NOVEMBER 21, 1997