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Mental‑health provider asks board to allow Northwest Journey to serve older teens
Summary
Northwest Journey asked the board to expand its Prescott‑area program to serve non‑physically aggressive clients up to age 17, citing increased hospital referrals and local need; board members requested liability and MOU clarifications before formal approval.
Representatives from Northwest Journey presented to the board seeking approval to expand their Prescott program’s age range up to 17 and to accept non‑physically aggressive 15–17 year‑old clients.
Program director Britney Paulson said the organization has expanded staffing and sees increasing referrals from children’s hospital and other local sources; weekday client counts have ranged from 13 to 18. Paulson said expanding the age range would keep older teens close to community supports and avoid long transports to other programs.
Clinical coordinator Skye described safety protocols: pre‑start record reviews, individualized motivation and break plans, crisis and safety plans, calls to school counselors or hospital contacts as needed, and an immediate discharge/transfer policy for any physical aggression. Paulson said law‑enforcement contacts for the Prescott site were low (one contact in 2026) and that the program typically discharges or transfers clients when incidents involve physical aggression.
Board members asked how expansion would affect capacity and district liability. Administration said the program would not take more than 18 full‑time clients at present and that a revised memorandum of understanding addressing liability would be returned to the board in August if the board wishes to proceed. No formal vote was taken at this meeting; staff said a revised MOU will be presented next month for consideration.
