About Reflections for Youth

Reflections for Youth, Inc. is a non-profit community-based residential treatment program (RTC) for males and females ages 11 -18 regardless of their race, color or religious preference. Our emphasis is on family reunification whenever possible, individual maturation, academic proficiency and the development of independent/work skills for each youth served. Reflections for youth has three treatment centers in Northern Colorado (Southern Larimer County) and has the ability to meet the needs of 26 youth residentially and up to an additional fourteen (14) through a centralized day treatment program. Day treatment is offered to youth that continue to reside in their own home and receive special education and therapeutic services approximately 30 hours per week in one of our treatment facilities. Each of Reflections treatment centers is a group home style setting with a maximum of eight adolescent females or eight (the Grismore facility is licensed for 10) adolescent males living together and attending a state certified school, Reflections For Youth School for three full semesters a year.

The services provided for the youth and families served by Reflections for Youth, Inc. occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, with the exception of day treatment which occurs approximately 30 hours a week, and follows a regular education calendar. Services/Activities provided are divided into three equally important categories: Residential, Clinical and Educational. Residential services/activities include providing shelter, food, clothing, medical care, fitness, social and recreational activities, skill building and maturation assistance. Reflections provides a safe and well-supervised environment for its youth to grow and to experience functional, healthy relationships. Treatment program rules and expectations incorporate the relationship virtues of trust, responsibility and accountability. A staff ratio of one (1) bachelor’s level counselor to every four youth being served (1:4) is provided and staff members are trained to teach social skills and facilitate positive, productive behavior through formal educational groups and at moments of crisis intervention. Procedures and techniques used include a behavior modification phase system, youth advocacy, group development and support, milieu management, care and supervision and community involvement and community service learning in the local communities of Berthoud, Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont and Greeley, CO respectively.

The clinical activities/services of the program are the overall responsibility of the Clinical Coordinators in coordination with the Executive Director, all licensed professionals, and one additional licensed master’s level therapist and a master’s level intern. Duties involve the development, implementation and coordination of the treatment program. Specific activities include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, psychiatric services including medication evaluations and management, case management and treatment planning, and recreation and community activity involvement. Drug and alcohol education is provided for all youth and identified youth also participate in a weekly drug and alcohol therapy and support group and attend community-based AA/NA meetings. Special needs services such as sex offender treatment can be and are contracted for by using local professional providers and Reflections’ clinical staff. Monthly treatment progress reports are completed and submitted to the appropriate family and agencies representing the youth and monthly staffings are scheduled with guardians, placement workers and other professionals to discuss the youth’s progress in detail. Other activities/services include the development of a discharge plan and aftercare services by the Clinical Coordinators in cooperation with the therapist, youth, placement worker and guardian.

The educational activities/services of the program are under the overall direction of a master’s level Educational Director. At the time of admission to Reflections and Reflections For Youth School, each youth is tested academically. If the youth has an I.E.P. (special education status) the youth will attend special education classes at Reflections For Youth School. If the youth does not have an I.E.P. and is not in need of one based on previous or current testing, then the youth will attend regular education classes at Reflections For Youth School. The student to teacher ratio is no more that 5:1 and with three full semesters of schooling, the youth have the opportunity to get closer to or to achieve the credits necessary for grade level education. A state curriculum of academics is presented with the goal for each individual to eventually transition back to the public school system or to graduate from Reflections For Youth School. As stated, Reflections for Youth, Inc. employs a master’s level, certified school administrator, three (3) state-certified special education teachers, three (3) qualified associate teachers and a full-time behavioral support staff. Reflections for Youth, Inc. assures a continuity of care for each youth served by providing educational activities/experiences which remediate, maintain and improve academic, intellectual and social functioning. Educational activities/experiences include occupational and recreational classes/opportunities, as well as academic and remedial classes.

A total of approximately 45 staff members are employed by Reflections for Youth, Inc. to provide the services/activities/experiences discussed. More than 80% of all staff members have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with eight (8) individuals holding master’s degrees and four (4) of the eight (8) fully licensed as a LCSW, LPC or LMFT and one certified as a CAC. Reflections also contracts with a Nutritionist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Sex Offender Therapist, CAC II/III, Berthoud Family Physicians, Delta Dental and a Maintenance Director to meet the needs of the program and the youth served by the program. The services are funded through RTC clinical fees (Medicaid), RCCF county fees (room and board), PPOR (Colorado Department of Education), USDA (lunch program), I.E.P. excess cost (local school districts), C.O.R.E services (day treatment funding), Title 1 funds, grants and fundraising. Reflections can accept placement referrals from DHS/DSS of all Colorado counties, Department of Youth Corrections, local school districts, mental health centers (MHASAs) and private insurance.

Common Issues and Diagnosis Addressed by Our Program

Common Issues
Family Dysfunction & Conflict / Trauma / Runaway / Substance Abuse / Anti-Social Behavior / Sexual Reactive Behaviors / Self Defeating / Delinquency / Attention and Learning Disorders / Conduct Disorders / Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse

Common Diagnosis
Bipolar and other mood disorders / Conduct Disorder / Oppositional Defiant / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Post Traumatic Stress Disorder / Obsessive Compulsive Disorder / Anxiety Disorder / Reactive Attachment / Intermittent Explosive Disorder / Sexual offenders admitted on a case-by-case basis.