A place for kids to start when traditional recovery programs don’t quite fit

What We're Not | Oversight | Our Volunteers | 12 Step Sponsors | Costs

The Next Step was founded to meet a growing need. Court systems and treatment centers have been referring kids to AA and NA for years. Why? Because these programs work! So what’s the problem? Simply stated, it just might not be a timely fit. (See “What We’re Not.”)

Our groups function a lot like traditional recovery programs with just a few twists. First, because the kids are court ordered there is a supervisory component you won’t find at AA/NA. Second, adult leadership, staff and volunteers are specially recruited, screened, and trained to respond to the unique challenges presented by these great kids. Third, although each group is autonomous (after the AA model), meetings share specific components designed to give our members unique opportunities to experience recovery from a youthful perspective. And finally, every member receives individual guidance in order to fulfill a requirement to participate in a leadership role. Additionally, there is an extremely strong social component in place so members can practice internalized recovery principles at our meetings and other self help environments. In other words, staying clean and sober can be fun, exciting, interesting, and self-fulfilling.

The Next Step mission is to provide a forum for youth to experience time honored methods of traditional 12 step programs in a safe environment while developing meaningful relationships with long term members of the recovering community.

What We're Not
AA and Al-Anon are the best programs to ever bless our planet; for those seeking recovery from the ravages of alcoholism and drug dependency. Though thousands have tried, no one has been able to match AA’s success. AA has a rich history steeped with both informal, and sanctioned tradition. A paradox lies in AA’s lack of organization along with their willingness to welcome anyone wishing to attend one of their “Open” meetings; and there are thousands! AA meetings are packed with people who bringing their “court papers” for the group Secretary to sign. All you have to do is read your local paper and you will see that many courts have come to include attendance at AA/NA meetings as a common component of sentencing. How safe is that for vulnerable kids? Additionally, there are few participation requirements for “getting your paper signed.” It’s quite easy to attend an open meeting, sit quietly, and leave without any engagement whatsoever.

Next Step meetings are private, invitation only affairs. Youth service providers and treatment facilities are welcome to offer our services to their clients with some considerations:

• We are not affiliated with AA. AA does not form such alliances.
• We do not provide counseling services. Though many of our volunteers are certified and/or licensed counselors, we are not bound to insurance panel requirements or government controlled counseling criteria. Participating entities have the option of capturing and recording data that enables them to recover costs, providing that such reporting does not interfere with our mission.
• We are not a “Home Group” for any member
• We are not free. Each referral entity contributes to the costs of coordinating and maintaining our services.

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Oversight
One goal of our program is to create, nurture and maintain an environment that encourages group and individual ownership. Oversight and facilitation of each group is coordinated by Next Step staff and volunteers. We closely monitor group dynamics and assert our leadership to the extent necessary to ensure order and direction. The more our members contribute and participate the more successful the outcome.

Sometimes exchanging information can be helpful. Referral entities have an option for sharing information providing that doing so adds value, all legal/ethical conditions are met.

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Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are invited to participate based on several factors (this is the tricky part):

• Referred by Next Step staff and/or current volunteer
• Successful recovery via a recognized12 step program
• Able to commit to weekly meetings
• Ability to connect with members and understand the dynamics of recovering youth
• Understand the importance of cooperating with referral entities
• Philosophically aligned with The Next Step mission

The basic structure of each meeting is dictated by the group conscience. Each group decides how to “carry the message.” Typical formats include:

• Full group discussion – hosted by group member chair with group member moderator
• Full group discussion – hosted by group member chair with guest moderator
• Small group discussions – facilitated by Next Step volunteers
• Speaker meetings – Guest speakers invited by group member

Include special weekly and/or monthly features like:

• Tune-a-the Week
• Art Board
• Talent Showcase
• Expressions
• Etc.

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12 Step Sponsors
Meetings are facilitated by Next Step volunteers and attended by invited recovering guests. For whatever reasons, a Next Step kid might ask a guest speaker to be his or her sponsor. We ask recovering guests to appraise us of these developments, but beyond that have no requirements; we do not direct 12 step guests in manners of their own sponsorship styles.

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Costs
Current costs to referral entities (at the time of this submission) is $70.00 per weekly sessionn. Monthly payment is due upon the first session of each month. Invoices are fromm SaveMyKid.org. Fees for additional services, such as charting, reporting, etc, are negotiable.

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