CBTS has served at-risk and offending youth in the Salt Lake Valley since 1991 by providing quality proctor care and clinical services to dependent and delinquent youth. Developing skills for self-sufficiency is an integral part of CBTS services provided to youth transitioning from state custody to autonomous adult life.
CBTS currently serves youth who are in the custody of The Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS). Youth in transition from state custody to living independently often lack many of the basic skills needed to succeed in living without supervision.
Youth who lack critical skills necessary for living independently are often unable to recognize and achieve their full potential. They may feel discouraged and overwhelmed at the prospect of self-sufficiency due to their lack of knowledge in appropriate methods of functioning. The CBTS Bridges program will assist youth in developing these critical skills. Skills [earned in the CBTS Independent Living Program [Bridges) will enable youth to maintain self-sufficiency throughout adult life.
CBTS Bridges Group Program
The CBTS Independent Living Program, or Bridges, is an additional service offered to those youth who are or may be preparing for their transition from adolescence into adulthood. Bridges utilizes Casey Life Skills assessments and curriculum, along with self-sufficiency enhancement activities to assist youth in developing the tools, resources, and skills necessary for a smooth transition to independent living.
Upon referral, each participant and his/her caregiver will complete an Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA) that will assist in evaluating their strengths, along with areas which they may require additional assistance and skills development. Youtn participating in Bridges will work individually with their CBTS Program Specialist to develop a life skills training plan. The youth will be assisted in creating goals based on the outcomes from the ACLSA.
Group Structure and Criteria
- The group will be a strength-based, cognitive-behavioral group, utilizing experiential activities to enhance learning and promote discussion of particular issues.
- The group will meet weekly for 1.5 hours. Participants will be encouraged to attend 14 weeks with a minimum of 12 weeks required to graduate.
- Group participants will be required to make transportation arrangements.
- Group will be coordinated as part of each person's individualized treatment plan.
- Group will be facilitated by a mental health therapist and an independent living specialist
Youth who may benefit from the Bridges program include youth who:
- struggle with poor self-care, relationship skills, boundaries, money management skills, inadequate lifestyle maintenance skills, career building skills
- have experienced a dysfunctional family system
- have experienced abuse or neglect
- lack a positive support system
- range from 16 to 18 years of age
- are willing to participate in a co-ed group
- are willing to commit to consistent attendance
Group Topics and Outcomes
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- feeling identification and expression
- self-care/hygiene
- healthy relationships/boundaries
- strength identification
- money management/financial planning
- career planning
- coping skills
- meal planning/nutrition
- work/employment ethics
- academic planning
- health care/medical management
Outcomes include:
- Youth will be administered an ACLSA upon entry and every 90-days following
- Youth participating will create an individualized life-skills training plan based on the outcomes of the ACLSA
- Each youth will demonstrate knowledge base and skills development on topics addressed
- Each youth will participate a minimum of 12 weeks to successfully graduate and receive a certificate upon successful completion
