The Diversified Treatment Alternatives Specialized Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) opened in 1991. The RTF is dually-licensed by the Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Office of Children Youth and Families, and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This specialized RTF provides intensive psychiatric clinical services to emotionally disturbed and behaviorally impaired children, adolescents and their families referred by the private family, juvenile justice, child welfare and mental health systems in a non-institutional, rural setting. This unique accreditation and programming allows access to care and reduction of funding barriers for clients whose needs are not dictated by their point of entry into the service system.

Since 1991, the program has served nearly 600 male children, adolescents and their families. Services have been expanded to a two-site graduated experience. The program specializes in treating high-risk youth who have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse, and have subsequently begun to act out and/or are exhibiting harmful behaviors. Intensive treatment occurs at both locations with a focus on accountability, competency development and protection of the community in the early stages of treatment, with reintegration, reunification and relapse prevention services occurring at the secondary facility.

Mission Statement

Diversified Treatment Alternatives’ mission is to provide the finest therapeutic experience and care available to children and their families in the least restrictive, safest and most pleasant environment possible and to enhance the growth and development of young people by respecting their dignity and uniqueness, so that they can become productive and responsible individuals and community members.

Philosophy

DTA believes that troubled adolescents are most effectively served in a highly structured family-type environment as opposed to an institutional setting. DTA’s philosophy is that individualized attention from caring and trained staff, positive peer influences, and family support and education are powerful agents of change for youth who are committed to completing the DTA program and regaining control of their lives.

Our Staff

Professional staff include a Board Certified Pediatrician, a Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, a Licensed Psychologist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and other mental health professionals with certification in trauma focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). The clinical staff is comprised of graduate and undergraduate level professionals, certified addiction counselors, sexually harmful behavior specialists and highly experienced youth development counselors.

Program staff have expertise in all of the following clinical treatment areas and therapeutic approaches: Trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy, anger management, child abuse, child and adolescent development, family therapy, grief therapy, group therapy, reality and person-centered therapies, natural consequences vs. punishment, sexual victimization, sexually harmful behavior and outcome-based grief therapy.

Despite its geographical location in a relatively homogeneous rural community, DTA is proud to employ a staff with both exemplary clinical experience and training as well as culturally diverse backgrounds. Diversified Treatment Alternatives is an equal opportunity employer that enthusiastically supports affirmative action employment strategies and actively recruits and employs personnel who can provide clients with the utmost in sound clinical treatment services and culturally competent care that is based on their professional development and personal backgrounds.