Children, Teen & Young Adult Services
Introduction
 Growing up is hard. Raising children in today's world presents families with
many challenges. During their impressionable years, children
and teens may experience a multitude of difficulties: separation and divorce, peer pressure, conflict in the homes, schools and streets. These situations can
be seen in behaviors such as truancy, poor school performance, depression, substance abuse and delinquent acts. In identifying the origin of such problems, First Step examines several key factors: the specific behaviors of the client; the dynamics of the family; and the environment's impact on both. We utilize effective and efficient treatment modalities to address the core issues and change unhealthy behaviors.
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Counseling
Children, teens and young adults, aged 7 through 18, meet with clinical professionals to help them deal effectively with their problems. During the counseling process, clients gain a better understanding of themselves, their relationships with family members and others. In individual family and/or group counseling, First Step uses cognitive-behavioral, family systems and other solution-focused therapies to guide clients in making positive changes in their lives.
First Step is used by area schools to assist with crisis response after a critical incident and is available to help families, friends and other community groups as well.
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Psychiatric Evaluation and Services
There are times when a psychiatrist is needed to assess a mental health issue with one of our clients. First Step is experienced in evaluation, assessment and treatment of children, teens and young adults including the management of appropriate medications and continual follow-up.
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Substance Abuse Education, Prevention and Treatment
 Teens and young adults may use drugs and alcohol to varying degrees -- from experimentation to addiction. First Step offers a continuum of services that focuses initially on education and prevention.
Treatment services include evaluations and clinical treatment
and random urinalysis to address the varying severity of each client's situation. Clinicians assist clients in developing a drug-free lifestyle. Through individual and group counseling sessions, clients learn about the serious effects of substance abuse and the negative impact it has on their ability to function at home, in school, at work and with friends.
As a state certified outpatient counseling center, First Step integrates an array of treatment modalities to develop a treatment plan which specifically addresses the causal effects of each client's problems.
First Step places great importance on the value of prevention. We are proactive in Baltimore County schools
Student Assistance Programs to help identify, assess and refer students experiencing problems which may be related to drug and alcohol abuse. First Step's
clinicians work with trained faculty in participating schools to spot noticeable and troubling changes in behavior that could signal the need for counseling or other services. Students may be referred to a
Student Assistance Program team by a parent, teacher, friend or by self-referral. A meeting with a First Step clinician can help students and their families determine
to what extent a problem exists and which resources would be most beneficial.
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Youth Employment and Training Program
First Step's Youth Employment and Training Program offers a full range of programs and services designed to help 16 to
18 year olds who are out of school and unemployed to work toward attaining their GED and getting a job. Students receive intensive educational assistance and tutoring in  addition to GED preparation and pre-employment skills.
First Step staff works with them on life skills:
interpersonal skills development, career exploration, job search,
interviewing, job placement and retention skills training.
Upon completion of First Step's Youth Employment Training Program, students are prepared to begin a job or further their education. About 90% of the students who complete the program find jobs in their community. The program's success has garnered the agency an Award for Excellence from the Baltimore County Work Force Development Council for two consecutive years.
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G.E.D.
G.E.D.assistance, tutoring and practice are part of the Youth and Employment Training Program.
Participants meet with a teacher who will assess their skills and assist them with remedial work to achieve their G.E.D.
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If you would like us to contact you with more information about any of our programs, please complete the form below:
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