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History
Desert Hills opened in 1990 with 6 hospital beds, 34 residential treatment (RTC) beds and an 8-bed Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). In 1994 it increased it's PHP program to 24 beds and opened a "lower level" 36-bed RTC (non-medical model).
In 1995 Desert Hills opened the first state certified Behavior Management Services (BMS) Program, a community based program working within the client's family home or school setting. In the same year it also opened a Treatment Foster Care Program (TFC).
In 1996 the PHP program was converted to a Day Treatment Program. A portion of the RTC Units were converted to specialized units; a 20-bed substance abuse unit, 10-bed sexual offender unit and 8 bed deaf unit. Desert Hills also opened their outpatient clinic, offering individual and family sessions, medication management and psychiatric evaluations.
In 1998 the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) was opened. In 1999 it added a Specialized Day Treatment Program for Sex Offenders. In 2001, planned expansion will increase the capacity of our Sex Offender Unit to 18 and the capacity of the Deaf Unit to 12.
Desert Hills is a wholly owned subsidiary of Youth and Family Centered Services, Inc.
Mission Statement
Desert Hills mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive behavior and mental health services to adolescents and their families. Treatment is provided through a continuum of care, ranging from acute residential treatment to community based programs. Desert Hills services are individualized, culturally sensitive and client/parent centered. The clinical emphasis is on assessment, treatment planning, discharge and aftercare planning. The goal is to prepare clients for a successful future in home, school and community.
Populations Served
Residential ages 11-17, Intensive Outpatient ages 11-17, Outpatient ages 4-17, Day Treatment ages 11-17, Treatment Foster Care ages 4-17, Behavior Management Services ages 4-17.
Types of Programs
Residential Treatment (12-18 years of age; boys and girls) Sub-acute care (medical model) treats clients who are severely emotionally disturbed and require extensive support and a comprehensive approach to psychiatric, social and psychological needs.
The Desert Hills social model offers structured, therapeutic group living for adolescents with behavioral, neurological and/or emotional problems where there is documented history and information that the needs of the client cannot be met at a lower level of care.
Our chemical dependency unit offers specialized treatment to adolescent girls and boys who have problems with drugs and/or alcohol. The program uses a combination of 12 step, psycho-education and 7 Challenge program designed specifically for adolescents. A strong emphasis is placed on relapse prevention and support within the community for discharge preparation.
The deaf program provides services to deaf, deaf/blind and hearing impaired adolescents who have severe emotional, behavioral or substance abuse problems. Therapy is provided in an environment free of communication barriers.
The sex offender program offers specialized treatment to adolescent males who have problems with sexualized behaviors or sexual offending. The program is designed to help adolescents understand behaviors, manage their emotions and develop the personal and social skills they will need to successfully transition into the community (10 beds).
Our Day Treatment program provides coordinated, intensive, individualized therapeutic, family, group, individual and educational services for children, adolescents and their families who are living in the community. The five-day per week program begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 4:00 PM.
The IOP program is an after school experiential program for clients experiencing problems in at least one area of their life such as behaviors, emotions, substance abuse, school or legal problems. The client attends two nights per week for three hours and three hours on Saturday in a multi-family group.
TFC (boys and girls; 4-18 years of age) is designed for severely emotionally disturbed (SED) children and adolescents in need of constant and consistent supervision with clients who cannot be placed back in their home or regular foster care. Treatment foster care parents are licensed, have completed training and engage in on going training regarding SED clients. The client's clinical needs are addressed through their individualized treatment plan and treatment coordinator.
The BMS (boys and girls; 3-21 years of age) program is for clients who are at risk of removal from their family, foster family or school placement due to mental health and/or behavioral issues. The behavior management specialists job is to role model, provide parent training, teacher training/support and help the child learn to manage their behaviors within the home and school.
Our outpatient program is for children (boys and girls, 11-17 years of age) presenting with significant impairment of functioning in at least one area of their life, yet who can be maintained safely within their environment with support services. The need for services should not exceed 2-3 hours per week. We offer outpatient individual and/or family therapy, medication and psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
All RTC, IOP and Day treatment programs offer recreation therapy utilizing a high and low rope course. All education is provided in an accredited Albuquerque Public School System here at Desert Hills, in accordance with the child's individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Accreditation
Desert Hills New Mexico is a State of New Mexico accredited facility and is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Organizations.
Employment Opportunities
Desert Hills regularly has job opportunities for behavioral health technicians, social workers (both undergraduate and graduate), teachers and therapists. Please call our main telephone number and inquire with our Human Resources Director for job availability.
Send E-mail to: info.deserthillsnm@yfcs.com
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5310 Sequoia NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Phone: 505-836-7330
Toll-free: 800-765-7330
Fax: 505-836-7424
E-mail Us
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