Aaron's Place: Exchange (APEX) Teen Program: A mental health and addiction prevention program for teens who are impacted by family substance use disorder. - Aaron's Place: Exchange (APEX) Teen Program is a free year-long therapeutic engagement with youth ages 13-17 and their families where the effects of family substance misuse/addiction are addressed through fun after-school activities combined with education and therapeutic interventions designed to teach youth a variety of problem solving and self-care strategies. This program is an expansion of the existing Camp Mariposa: Aaron's Place program, which has served youth ages 9-12 in Indianapolis since 2020. APEX includes monthly after school sessions in Indianapolis, IN. This program will engage 20-30 teens each year of operation. Participants come from all demographic groups but constitute a mix of racial/ethnic groups. Most participants will be expected to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school. At APEX, teens are provided a safe opportunity to speak freely and openly about substance use disorder, connect with others in similar circumstances, and avoid stigmatization. Curricula includes development of protective factors including personal resilience, social connectedness, positive self-image, exhibiting self-control, maintaining positive relationships with others, and making decisions that lead to a healthy lifestyle. National guidelines encourage the development of protective factors to lessen the harmful effects of ACEs including family substance misuse. Programming includes delivery of trauma sensitive activities and therapeutic interventions designed to build resiliency, model healthy adult-child interactions through a mentorship component, support participants to build a peer network, and reduce isolation. Under the guidance of the Clinical Director (Occupational Therapy) and the Group Facilitator (LCSW), curriculum focuses on coping strategies and mindfulness activities.
