It is not uncommon for families to have conflict. Although family members might love each other, there could also be a need for stronger communication skills. However, the act of finding ways to communicate can be stressful for family members. Children–especially teens–might feel like their parents do not listen or value their ideas. Parents might…
Anxiety is more common among adolescents today than at any other period of time in American history. Teenagers are especially at risk for developing anxiety-related disorders because of factors like hormonal changes and peer pressure. Anxiety symptoms vary depending on whether you have avoidant personality disorder vs. social anxiety. Many times, symptoms between avoidant personality…
Dealing with teenagers can be stressful. One moment your teen is happy and filled with energy. And the next moment? They’re angry and despise you. For parents, these intense feelings can be challenging to manage. After all, you are human, too. And like your teen, you need to be understood as well. If you are…
Teenagers love to socialize and attend parties. And for some teens, using party drugs is customary. While some teens experiment with party drugs because of peer pressure, others are curious about how drugs will immediately make them feel. But what happens when the occasional party drug usage (which is not positive behavior!) becomes an addiction?…
Having a child with any kind of mental health disorder often causes parents to feel hopeless and alone. You may have a sincere desire to help your child work through the depressed state but lack the tools you need to communicate. After all, few of us are equipped to handle mental disorders. Even the best…
Science fiction has long touted that technology is the key to improving human existence. Many fantastical visions focus on enhancing healthcare with high-tech solutions. Popular ideas include holographic doctors programmed with the accumulated medical knowledge of the centuries and stand-alone robotic stations that can perform complex surgical procedures without human assistance. Of course, countless medical…
Few things in life have the power to stir our emotions and evoke compelling responses in the way art does. In all of its various forms, art is a powerful tool for expression. Through visual means, an artist can communicate and connect with others in a way that transcends words, and art therapy utilizes this…
When a person has become addicted to drugs or alcohol, their entire mind, body, and spirit are affected by the substance. In particular, the brain can be tied to addiction before or after the substance abuse has begun. In either case, there is help for anyone willing to take the first step and admit they…
When someone has a physical issue or disorder, it’s hard for people not to notice. Many times, the individual’s pain and suffering are apparent. However, with a mental disorder, the individual suffers in silence. We sometimes forget how lucky we are that depression and anxiety are but temporary issues in our lives. That’s not the…
Teens who are starting to figure out where they fit along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum may find themselves feeling alienated from their peers and even their family. That kind of isolation can drive them to seek out drugs and alcohol as a form of relief. That can make the symptoms of already existing problems like depression…
Destinations For Teens staff are actively getting vaccinated through the county and the hope is to have the majority of our staff vaccinated by the end of January, 2021. Destinations For Teens is likewise committed to educating staff to the benefits of vaccinating and to providing access to the vaccine to all employees. By minimizing the risk of transmission, Destinations For Teens is working hard to protect its clients, families and employees from contracting the COVID-19 virus.
A dedicated COVID-19 task force, including our Medical Director, Clinical Director and our Director of Nursing, provides written materials and verbal education and training to all staff. In the words of Dr. Baback Gabbay, Destinations For Teens Chief Medical Director, the message could not be simpler: "We are committed to the health and well-being of our patients and families. Our staff is committed to the CDC recommend cleaning protocols and have been fortunate to receive the Moderna or Pzifer Covid vaccine this week. Vaccination is important in order to help keep all our employees and the families we serve safe".
In addition to distributing vaccinations, Destinations For Teens facilities has implemented the following procedures for all in-person programs:
• Established a revised screening process for admissions, including questions about recent fevers, travel and mandated negative COVID-19 test results. Anyone who poses a risk to our centers will not be admitted.
• Implement active screening of residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Remind residents to practice social distancing and perform frequent hand hygiene.
• Screen all staff at the beginning of their shift for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Actively take the staff’s temperature and document absence of shortness of breath, new or change in cough, and sore throat. If they are ill, have them put on a facemask and self-isolate at home.
• Destinations For Teens has revised how they interact with vendors and receiving supplies and equipment, and other non-health care providers (e.g., food delivery, etc.), and take necessary actions to prevent any potential transmission. For example, supply vendors transport supplies to dedicated locations versus inside of facilities.
• In lieu of in-person visits, facilities are offering alternative means of communication for people who would otherwise visit, such as virtual communications (phone, video-communication, etc.)
• Creating/increasing communication to update families, such as advising to not visit.
• Assigning staff as primary contact to families for inbound calls and conduct regular outbound calls to keep families up to date.