HARPETH PRIMARY ASSESSMENT CENTER
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Harpeth Primary Assessment Center is a 24-bed youth assessment center that provides observation and evaluation services to support the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) in understanding each youth's unique strengths and needs. The program serves female residents aged 10-17, offering temporary care in a secure, structured, supportive, and trauma-informed environment while determining their next placement.
Operating year-round, 24/7, the youth assessment center ensures the intake, care, custody, structured multidisciplinary assessment, and support services tailored to each resident's age, behavior, level of functioning, emotional needs, strengths, and individual interests.
The program offers a variety of services, including daily care, education, physical and mental health care, independent living skills development, and social skills training. Beginning with a comprehensive screening and assessment process, the youth assessment center determines the best placement, care modalities, and service intensity to meet each resident’s unique needs.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY & GOALS
The majority of residents we serve bear a reality that has exposed them to disappointments, instability in home and family life, direct or indirect trauma, violence, drug abuse, and a variety of factors that have contributed to their current situation. Our programming is designed to support the resident’s intellectual, emotional and physical development needs with an emphasis on physical and emotional safety.
Every resident in our care comes to us with their own unique histories, resiliency/strengths, risk factors, and individualized care needs. Our care begins with a thorough screening, assessment and care planning process to determine the best modalities, intensity, frequency and duration of care relative to the student’s level of need, and make appropriate placement recommendations to Tennessee DCS to meet your unique needs.
Services are provided in caring environments that promote and ensure emotional and physical safety of all youth, at all times.
TYPES OF SERVICES AND TREATMENT
It is the policy of Harpeth Primary Assessment Center to provide trauma-informed assessment and care services to all residents in accordance with mandated guidelines. The focus of placement recommendations based on comprehensive assessment emphasizes healing and working to make sure that students have stable and productive environments to which they can thrive.
The program is a highly structured, predictable, and accepting trauma-informed community that fosters personal growth, social development and responsibility through an array of comprehensive daily services. Staff led group interventions are utilized to motivate and teach while providing interventions that help students achieve emotional and behavioral stability.
All residents attend education services daily. Group service delivery includes social skills development, Independent Living Skills, and anger management and drug awareness education, which are part of the weekly schedule.
ACADEMIC/VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Educational services are provided to improve academic and social skills. Educational programs promote scholastic success by reinforcement of attendance, individualized instruction, and academic assignments. Educational services are provided on-site through and address each resident's individualized academic needs.
Each admitted resident is assessed to establish and individualized education program. Educational services promote skill acquisition, which ultimately will yield benefits in behavior and social competence.
REFERRAL SOURCES & FEES
All resident referrals to Harpeth Primary Assessment Center shall come from TN Department of Children’s Services (DCS) offices across the State of Tennessee. Each referral is executed in accordance with the placing agency’s (DCS’s) rate methodology.