Addressing a Significant Need in California

IHS’s new YRTCs could treat approximately 100 American Indian/Alaska Native youth per year. Currently, most of California’s American Indian/Alaska Native youth who receive residential chemical dependency treatment are sent to non-IHS and non-Tribal out-of-state facilities. Often, out-of-state programs do not address the unique cultural needs of American Indian/Alaska Native youth, and cannot offer effective family therapy. These facilities do not have the capacity to meet the need in California, and often American Indian/Alaska Native youth and their families experience long delays before they receive care. Some receive no residential treatment at all. The new YRTCs in California will be an important step to helping thousands of American Indian/Alaska Native youth in California who need residential care.