CHOICES - New Connections' Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program

Choices is a mental health and substance abuse outpatient treatment program for Contra Costa County youth, conducted by professional mental health therapists who specialize in chemical dependency. Many program participants are also involved in the West Contra Costa County Juvenile Drug Court and have weekly court appearances; their criminal charges are dropped upon successful completion of the Choices program.

This program is supported by contracts with the Contra Costa County Health Services Department, and is offered in partnership with the Probation Department, District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, and the Juvenile Court.

Who May Attend:
Adolescents (ages 13 through 18) with mental health and/or alcohol or other drug problems may attend Choices. Participants must be Medi-Cal eligible. Initial assessments for youth in the Juvenile Drug Court are conducted by the Drug Court Administrator, and their program eligibility is determined by a Screening Committee. All others are screened for admission by the Choices Program Director.

Program Features:

• At least 2 hours of therapeutic activities each day, from two to five days each week.
• At least nine months of substance abuse and mental health treatment.
• Individual, group, family and multi-family sessions.
• Life skills, anger management, employment readiness and alcohol and other drug education.
• Introduction to 12-step program classes and participation in weekly 12-step meetings.
• Random urinalysis testing.
• Outreach and collaboration with significant individuals involved in the adolescent's support network.

For More Information, Including How To Register:
For more information about Choices, please call the Program Director at New Connections' Richmond office: 510.307.4464. For information about other behavioral/substance abuse programs and other services at New Connections, please call Jeri Stegman, Associate Director of Programs & Services at 925.363.5000, ext. 126.

New Connections:
New Connections is an innovative, award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization specializing in community behavioral healthcare, serving Contra Costa County since 1972. Among other honors, New Connections was named as one of the top 20 programs in the United States by the Association of State Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directors. For more information about services offered by New Connections, please call Jeri Stegman, Associate Director of Programs & Services at 925.363.5000, ext. 126.