Springdale’s Newest Community Reintegration Initiative Program for Children & Adolescents

Our team designed the CRI for female adolescents ages 12-17 who are moving from a more intensive level of care toward greater independence. This program may be a good fit for girls who: 

• Have successfully completed a residential program 

• No longer require intensive residential services 

• Continue to need structured therapeutic support before returning to the community 

• Are able to safely take part in a community-based residential setting 

Because each young person’s needs are different, our clinical team reviews every referral individually before determining whether our CRI is the right next step for an adolescent. 

At Yellow Rock Behavioral Health in Springdale, Arkansas, we accept referrals for our CRI from a range of professional and agency sources, such as: 

• PRTFs 

• Hospitals 

• Outpatient behavioral healthcare providers 

• Community mental health agencies 

• State agencies 

• Other approved referral sources 

Once we receive a referral, our team completes a comprehensive clinical review. This review helps us confirm medical necessity, determine whether the program is appropriate for the adolescent, and assess her ability to participate safely in a community-based residential setting. 

If you are a professional and would like to refer an adolescent to our CRI, or if you are a parent or guardian who has questions about whether this level of care may be right for your child, please contact us to learn more. 

The typical length of stay in our CRI ranges from six to 12 months. Rather than following a fixed timeline, our team personalizes the length of each girl’s stay based on several factors, including: 

• Progress she makes in the program 

• Achievement of her clinical goals 

• Achievement of her life skills goals 

• Her family’s readiness for her return home 

• Completion of a thorough transition plan 

This individualized approach gives every resident the time she needs to feel fully prepared to enter the next stage of her life. 

The team that runs our CRI uses evidence-based and skills-based interventions that help adolescents learn how to manage emotions, make healthy choices, and prepare for life in the community. The primary types of therapies we use and approaches we follow in the program may include: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that can help people recognize how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect one another and learn how to replace unhelpful thought patterns with more balanced ones. 

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. 

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT encourages residents to acknowledge difficult thoughts and feelings rather than avoid them and to take action based on what matters most to them. 

• Mindfulness-based interventions: These practices can help residents focus on the present moment and respond to stress in a calm, intentional way. 

• Motivational interviewing: This is a collaborative approach that helps residents identify their own reasons for making positive changes. 

• Psychoeducation: Residents learn about behavioral health, coping strategies, and the factors that can affect their overall well-being. 

• Trauma-informed care: Our staff recognizes the effects past trauma may have on a young person and works to create an environment that feels safe and supportive. 

• Individualized life skills training: Each resident works on the specific practical skills she will need to function more independently. 

To further round out our programming, the following are the types of treatment modalities adolescents have access to while in our CRI: 

Individual therapy 

Residents have time to meet one-on-one with a therapist once each week, or more often as needed. These sessions give them space to work toward personal goals, discuss challenges as they come up, and apply new skills to daily life. 

Group therapy 

Residents take part in group therapy every day. A therapist and behavioral health associates lead structured psychoeducational and skills-based groups that promote emotional wellness and personal growth. Topics that may be discussed during these group sessions include: 

• Mindfulness 

• Healthy relationships 

• Communication and conflict resolution 

• Problem-solving 

• Decision-making 

• Stress management 

• Self-esteem 

• Goal setting 

• Personal wellness 

• Community integration 

• Preventing a return to unhealthy behaviors 

Experiential therapies 

Each week, residents take part in experiential therapies that encourage self-expression, teamwork, and connection with the community. These may include: 

• Recreational therapy 

• Gardening 

• Mindfulness exercises 

• Team-building activities 

• Community service and volunteer projects 

• Music therapy 

• Art therapy 

Our nursing staff provides medical care for our CRI residents according to orders from medical and psychiatric advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and psychiatrists. Medical services may include: 

• Nursing assessments 

• Medical assessments 

• Medication administration 

Residents have the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist once a month, or more often as needed, to review any medications they may be taking. The CRI team administers and monitors the effects of medications throughout each resident’s stay. A registered dietitian is also available to help with care planning and provide consultation. 

A central part of our CRI is helping residents prepare for the practical demands of daily life. In addition to clinical goals, every girl in the program works on life skills that support greater independence. In group sessions and individualized training, residents learn about topics such as: 

• Independent living 

• Financial literacy 

• Vocational readiness 

• Nutrition and meal preparation 

Volunteer opportunities and community service projects also give residents a chance to practice these skills outside the home and to see themselves as contributing members of their communities. 

The time between residential care and a full return home is an important part of the healing process. Yellow Rock Behavioral Health, located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, developed the CRI to make that transition more gradual and better supported. At Yellow Rock, our CRI gives adolescent girls the structure, clinical support, and practical skills they need to move forward with confidence. Contact us today to learn more about the program or to make a referral.