The IHS announced the opening of another youth regional treatment center (YRTC) to provide culturally centered, evidence-based substance use disorder services to Native youth.
Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center in Hemet is the first federally owned and operated health care facility in California to serve American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Although California has the largest population of AI/AN in the country, IHS says, teens were usually sent out of state to non-IHS or nontribal facilities that do not always meet their “unique cultural needs.”
Desert Sage is 1 of 11 YRTCs funded by IHS across the country. The YRTCs provide comprehensive, holistic care, including mental health assessments, individualized treatment plans, academic education, vocational and life-skills training, and activities to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of Native American youth.
The Desert Sage center, which includes 3 buildings with 32 beds and 5 family suites, will employ 70 full-time employees and treat about 100 tribal youth annually.
Sacred Oaks Healing Center in Davis, the next YRTC planned for California, is expected to be completed in 2019.