NIATx Adolescent Treatment Pilot Project in Wisconsin

NIATx is working with selected adolescent treatment providers in Wisconsin to identify and remove barriers to the implementation of Teen Intervene. This evidence-based practice has not yet been used in Wisconsin. It is designed for use with teens that are experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol, but who are not “dependent”—a population that generally receives no services. 

 
In the first phase of the project, providers conducted a walk-through of their intake processes. In the NIATx model of process improvement, a walk-through allows you to understand the customer and to discover how to make improvements that will better serve your customers—the clients that come to you for treatment. In a walk-through, your CEO, senior managers or other agency staff experience the agency from the customer’s perspective and experience the treatment processes just as a client does. (Here's how to conduct a walk-through.)
 
As a result of the walk-through exercise, one provider is testing changes to reduce the length of the initial assessment. Another provider has developed a script for all clinicians to use when describing the Teen Intervene tool to parents. The aim for this CSAT-funded project is to provide recommendations and best practices on effective implementation of Teen Intervene to share with the field.

 
NIATx offers many resources for improving adolescent treatment. Visit this post for information on some of its best tools.