Adolescent self-harm and injury are common in teens experiencing emotional distress. Often self-harm is meant to be non-suicidal. However, self-harm is an intentional action and reveals how a young adult is feeling. To combat the pervasiveness of self-harm, March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. During this month, organizations and influencers are dedicated to sharing information and…
Imagine being born a boy but always feeling like a girl. How would you view the world? How would the world view you if you decided to express your desire to be a girl? As young adults realize their identities, some understand that their biological gender is not their true gender. Also known as gender…
Playing video games is an excellent pastime for young adults–especially boys. Who does not love to get lost in a virtual world and win a good game? While relaxing and playing a video with friends is quite ordinary, it must be done in moderation. After all, teens can become addicted to playing video games, decreasing…
The adolescent years are naturally filled with many emotions surrounding identity and acceptance in social circles. In the last two years, teens have experienced even greater anxiety due to their online activity. Surprisingly, like social media engagement, online learning platforms also can present a source of anxiety for teens. If the young adult in your…
Teens love to party. For some, the ability to listen to their favorite music while being with friends is enough. Yet, for others, party drug use is prevalent. However, party drugs such as Molly or cocaine can damage young people’s lives. Our teen drug abuse treatment program will support your loved one’s development through the…
Have you ever felt like you needed additional support in communicating with your children and partner? Family therapy is the solution. In a family therapy program, you will identify the root of conflicts existing within your family. Then, with the help of a therapist, your family will work to resolve their conflicts with an understanding…
While addressing issues like teen drinking, it’s important to remember that drinking alcohol is socially acceptable. Drinking has been part of the American culture throughout most of its history. The primary reason there are drinking age restrictions is that lawmakers decided anyone handling the effects of alcohol needed a certain level of maturity. So, why…
Helping teens conquer their substance use disorders is often promoted by healthcare providers. However, teen process addiction is also a dangerous dependency that needs to be acknowledged. A teen process addiction treatment program is necessary to help young adults realize how to manage their emotions and deal with their triggers without depending on anything that…
Xanax is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. Also known as benzodiazepine, it is dangerous and very addictive because it creates an intense feeling of euphoria. A recent survey found that one in five users of benzodiazepine is misusing the drug. What makes it worse? It is available to teens, who often use…
It’s often said that music is food for the soul. Music has the power to reduce stress, calm a person’s nerves and even spur creativity. And music is one of the easiest ways for people to connect–regardless of culture. That’s why music therapy for recovery is so powerful–it is cathartic and healing for teens on…
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.