Intervention Resources and Recommendations

Community service gives a young person an opportunity to contribute through useful work as part of their plan. The process starts with a half hour meeting to discuss community work service options. Parents or guardians must also attend. The fee is $20.

Include any required hours or conditions in the referral so they can be reviewed.

Consider recommending this when contributing to the community could be a meaningful part of accountability and repairing harm.

An apology letter gives a young person space to reflect on what happened, acknowledge how others were affected, and express responsibility in their own words. The focus is on thoughtful reflection rather than simply completing a writing assignment. Staff can discuss what is appropriate for the situation.

Consider recommending this when written reflection could help the youth acknowledge impact and identify how to move forward.

Restitution addresses financial harm when repayment is applicable to the referral. Include the known amount, what the loss relates to, and any existing agency requirements. Staff review the details and circumstances with the family when developing the plan.

Consider recommending this when there is a documented financial loss to address. Do not estimate a restitution amount if it is unknown.

Mentoring is provided through For Young People, or FYP. Youth build relationships with caring adults who offer encouragement and support as they work toward goals. Lakes Center provides transportation to help youth participate. Let us know about transportation needs when making the referral.

Consider recommending this when a trusted adult relationship could help the youth stay connected and work toward goals.

Peer support groups are offered through FYP’s Tuesday evening Circles at Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake. Small groups provide space to share experiences, listen, and receive encouragement from peers and caring adults. The program is not faith based. Transportation is provided to support participation.

Consider recommending this when a young person would benefit from peer connection and a supportive place to talk. These groups are distinct from clinical group therapy.

Individual counseling offers clinical support for emotional, behavioral, and relationship concerns. Lakes Center’s counseling services address concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and stress. A counseling referral involves its own intake and treatment planning; intervention education and clinical counseling serve different purposes.

Consider recommending this when emotional or mental health concerns warrant clinical support. Staff can help the family explore service fit, availability, and payment options.

Counseling information at lakescenter.org/counseling

Family counseling brings family members into the work of improving communication, navigating conflict, and strengthening relationships. It can help families explore patterns, practice skills, and build healthier boundaries. Counseling staff work with the family to identify goals and appropriate participation.

Consider recommending this when family communication or relationship concerns would benefit from clinical support.

Family counseling information at lakescenter.org/counseling

This is a two hour class that focuses on decision making for teens. Activities aim to teach teens how to reframe problems to help lead them to better solutions and more positive outcomes. Youth also learn how to break down their potential solutions so they can more easily pick the best one. Identifying how our choices affect others is part of the class, as well as strengthening assets and goal setting. A parent or guardian is required to attend. The fee is $80.

Consider recommending this when the youth would benefit from a structured opportunity to think through decisions and their impact.

Teen Intervene is a program of 3 to 6 sessions based on the Hazelden curriculum. It is designed to help youth who are at risk for chemical abuse or dependency. Participants examine their use and make goals for reducing or quitting. A parent or guardian may need to attend part of the sessions. The fee is $35 per session.

The school intervention model uses six sessions.

Consider recommending this when substance use is a concern and the youth could benefit from guided reflection and goal setting. Staff determine the appropriate format through assessment.

Reasoning Skills helps youth practice analyzing situations, solving problems, evaluating options, and considering consequences. The school intervention model provides six sessions. The focus is on developing thinking skills that youth can use when making everyday choices. The fee is $35.

Consider recommending this when a student would benefit from practicing how to pause, examine options, and make a thoughtful decision.

A restorative conversation or circle is a facilitated opportunity to discuss what happened, who was affected, and what could help repair harm. It supports accountability while giving people space to be heard. Staff review readiness, the circumstances, and who should participate before identifying an appropriate process. There is no cost.

Consider recommending this when a facilitated conversation could help address harm or strained relationships. A recommendation begins a discussion about fit; it does not automatically schedule a circle.

FYP is a free program for students in grades 6 through 12. It offers caring adult relationships, peer connection, activities, and opportunities to build skills. Referrers may recommend the full program or identify mentoring and peer support as particular priorities.

Weekly gatherings take place at Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake. FYP is not faith based. The church provides the gathering space.

Community time and a social and emotional learning activity lead into Circles. Youth meet in smaller groups based on age and maturity, with opportunities to check in and share as they feel comfortable. Staff and volunteers support respectful conversation and connection.

• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.Student pickup
• 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.Community time
• 7:00 to 7:15 p.m.Social and emotional learning
• 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.Circles and peer support
• 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.Rides home

Lakes Center provides transportation for participating youth in the Forest Lake and North Branch areas. Coordinate pickup and rides home with staff; van space is limited. Registration must be completed before attending.

Recommend FYP when a youth would benefit from ongoing connection, mentoring, peer support, and positive activities. Use the referral to explain which parts may be most helpful. These components are delivered together within FYP, so they do not need to be treated as separate programs.

Explore FYP and current activities at lakescenter.org/foryoungpeople

Stanford My Healthy Futures Nicotine Curriculum. Self-directed, no fee.

The My Healthy Futures course is a 40 to 60 minute self-paced course for students to do on their own. It provides slides, activities, and interactive materials, using the principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help students understand the harms of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, identify reasons for and costs of using, cope with stress, and find resources to help them quit.

Consider recommending this when nicotine or vaping is part of the concern. Staff can help determine whether education alone or additional support is appropriate.

Stanford My Healthy Futures Cannabis Curriculum. Self-directed, no fee.

The My Healthy Futures course is a 40 to 60 minute self-paced course for students to do on their own. It provides slides, activities, and interactive materials, using the principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help students understand the harms of cannabis, its health effects on the body, stress and coping, and resources to quit.

Consider recommending this when a specific substance related concern calls for education. Identify the substance or concern on the referral so staff can select an appropriate resource.

EVERFI Alcohol Education Curriculum. Self-directed, no fee.

This health and wellness course takes a public health approach to preventing alcohol abuse and is designed to build students’ understanding of how to address difficult alcohol-related scenarios. Through interactive real-world scenarios, students learn how to use their personal values and goals, resist peer pressure, and step in when they see someone who may be in trouble.

Consider recommending this when a specific substance related concern calls for education. Identify the substance or concern on the referral so staff can select an appropriate resource.

EVERFI Prescription Drug Safety Curriculum. Self-directed, no fee.

This health and wellness course educates students about the potential dangers of misusing prescription medications, including fentanyl. The course was developed in partnership with Truth Initiative and explores the impact misuse can have on teens’ physical and mental health, relationships, communities, and futures.

Consider recommending this when a specific substance related concern calls for education. Identify the substance or concern on the referral so staff can select an appropriate resource.