Youth Wellness and Recovery Services - Aviva Family and Children's Services will establish Youth Wellness and Recovery Services, delivering integrated substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring disorder treatment and recovery services to 360 children, adolescents, and young adults and their families in Los Angeles County over five years. Aviva will serve youth ages 12-25 across Service Planning Areas (SPA) 2, 4, and 6, reaching young people already connected to Aviva through its school, child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health programs, who currently lack a dedicated youth SUD treatment pathway. Services span ASAM levels 0.5, 1, and 2.1, including screening, assessment, treatment planning, in-house access to FDA-approved medications for alcohol and opioid use disorder, family-centered treatment, overdose education and naloxone distribution, and aftercare. The project's goal is for clients to build and sustain a lifestyle free of alcohol and illicit drugs, supported by stronger family relationships and durable recovery networks. Geographic Area and Population. Services will be delivered across SPA 2 (San Fernando Valley), SPA 4 (Metro LA), and SPA 6 (South LA), where Aviva operates six locations serving a combined population of ~4.4 million residents. The project is anchored at Aviva's headquarters (7120 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046). The population of focus includes adolescents (12–17) and young adults (18–25) with SUD and/or co-occurring SUD and mental health disorders, along with their families and caregivers-including pregnant and parenting young women—prioritizing youth involved with or at risk of involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Enrollment targets: 40 in Year 1 (25 within the first six months) and 80 annually in Years 2–5, totaling 360 over the project period, exceeding NOFO minimums. Services begin within four months of award. Clinical Characteristics. 91% of Aviva's clients are ages 0–20. Marijuana is the leading substance of concern among LA County youth entering treatment, followed by alcohol and methamphetamine (SAPC, 2025); nicotine/vaping, opioids (including fentanyl), and prescription misuse are also present. Substance use commonly co-occurs with trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders, and many clients are involved with child welfare, juvenile justice, probation, or the Department of Mental Health. Strategies and Interventions. All required services are delivered in-house through Aviva's DHCS-certified outpatient/intensive outpatient SUD program (ASAM 0.5, 1, 2.1). Screening uses the ASAM Youth Screener and Teen Addiction Severity Index, with comprehensive ASAM assessment within five days. Treatment relies on evidence-based practices already used at Aviva: Motivational Interviewing, CBT (including the Matrix Model), Relapse Prevention, and Seeking Safety. Aviva's SUD Medical Director (a licensed psychiatrist) manages FDA-approved medications for alcohol/opioid use disorder as part of comprehensive care—not medication-only treatment. SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions are treated by one clinical team under a unified treatment plan. Family engagement, case management, overdose education/naloxone distribution, and aftercare are integrated throughout. Measurable Objectives: ≥60% of clients will reduce primary substance use between intake and 3-month reassessment; ≥20% will achieve 90-day abstinence. ≥75% will complete a written relapse-prevention plan (triggers, warning signs, coping strategies) and identify at least two ongoing recovery supports within 30 days of admission. ≥70% of minor clients will have a parent/caregiver/family member participate in at least three family sessions; ≥60% will show improved family functioning between intake and 3-month reassessment.
