When a youth begins to struggle with significant mental health symptoms or functional impairments, families often find themselves searching for support that goes beyond traditional outpatient therapy. The Youth Community Treatment Aid (CTA) program at Lutheran Family Services (LFS) is designed to meet that need—bringing skill‑based community support directly to the environments where youth live, learn, and grow.
Jennifer Sanders, the Director of Community-Based Services with LFS, sees significant benefits from the CTA program, and said that it is not a replacement for therapy. Instead, it works alongside a youth’s existing outpatient provider. Every CTA enrollee must also be enrolled in outpatient therapy, but the frequency of therapy sessions does not determine eligibility.
This partnership between therapists, family, and CTA staff is central to the program’s success.
Sanders said, “Our CTA staff work alongside the therapist, the family, and the youth to teach practical strategies that strengthen daily functioning and promote long-term success.”
CTA focuses on real‑world skill building: emotional regulation, healthy coping, behavioral management, de-escalation strategies, social skills, and daily living skills. Staff also coach parents and caregivers, modeling techniques that support consistency and growth at home.
How Long Do Youth Stay in CTA?
The CTA program offers flexible and individualized plans based on the needs of the youth and family being served.
“It is definitely going to be driven by the individual,” Sanders said. “Underlying needs present themselves in layers. Once we work through one layer, another may emerge, and we develop new skills and techniques.”
While there is no mandated length for the program, most youth benefit from approximately 8–12 months of support.
A Community‑Based Approach—Meeting Youth Where They Are
One of the main benefits of CTA is that services meet the client where they are, although it is still possible for enrollees to meet at LFS.
Sanders said, “It absolutely is a community‑based service. Clients are best served in the communities they reside.”
CTA staff meet youth at school, at home, and in community settings where challenges naturally occur. Sometimes that means supporting a youth in locations that trigger difficult behaviors—because that’s where real‑time skill building matters most.
“A good example is a youth who runs from the grocery store or school. We may meet them in those locations to work on skill building in real time,” Sanders said.
How the CTA Referral Process Works
When someone is ready to refer a youth to CTA, the process is straightforward. Email CTAreferral@OneLFS.org for a simple referral form and return it to the same address.
Referrals often come from outpatient therapists, but they can come from any support involved in the youth’s life. The only requirement is that their therapist is willing to collaborate with the CTA team.
The Heart of CTA: Empowering Youth, Supporting Families, Changing Outcomes
As Sanders reflected on the CTA program one phrase rose to the top: Empowering youth, supporting families, changing outcomes.
Sanders reiterated these words, “CTA empowers youth, supports families, and helps change behaviors through emotional regulation and skill building. When families are supported, youth become empowered—and outcomes change.”
Know of A Youth Who May Benefit?
Do you know of a youth that may benefit From the LFS Youth Community Treatment Aid program? Refer them today. Contact: CTAReferral@OneLFS.org
