HDC provider invited to present at national conference on adolescent treatments

Jane Larson, Project Reach Out Coordinator for the Human Development Center (HDC) in Douglas County was invited to present at the 2012 Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) in Washington, D.C. in April.

Larson was part of a three-person panel from Wisconsin who reported on and discussed the successful outcomes obtained by HDC’s Project Runaway utilizing the research-based interviewing strategy “Teen Intervene,” which combines the stages of change, motivational enhancement, and cognitive-behavioral theory to increase the number of youth utilizing effective treatment for substance abuse.

HDC’s use of this state-supported interviewing strategy with youth and their parents far exceeded the expected outcomes.

“We know there are a lot of teens who need some form of intervention/treatment for substance use and abuse who never get any help,” Larson said. “In Wisconsin an estimated 7 to 11 percent of adolescents meet the diagnostic criteria for a Substance Use Disorder yet less than 1 in 20 receive treatment services. To address this issue we set an initial goal at HDC of a 10 percent increase in the number of adolescents receiving alcohol and drug abuse services. In the past 14 months, we have far exceeded that expected outcome. Of the 117 youth referred for services — 103 were seen or referred for more intensive services.”

The annual JMATE meeting aims to promote and improve adolescent substance abuse treatment and recovery by providing a forum for the exchange of information between researchers, practitioners, youth and families, policymakers and community members. More than 1,100 people registered for the conference.

HDC is a private, non-profit community mental health center that was established in 1938.

HDC serves residents and Carlton, Cook, Lake, and southern St. Louis counties in northeastern Minnesota and in Douglas County in northwestern Wisconsin.

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