Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center

Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center (SATC) is a thirty-six bed residential treatment center operated by the New Mexico Department of Health, accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and Medicaid approved. Sequoyah provides care, treatment, and reintegration into society for males ages 13-17 who have a history of violence, have a mental health disorder and who are amenable to treatment.  Services are provided based upon the client's needs. The adolescent must have the cognitive capacity to benefit from verbal therapies and milieu programming offered at Sequoyah.

Charges for services are the responsibility of the legal custodian. However, Sequoyah will work with the custodian to bill Medicaid or other appropriate insurance.

Mission Statement

We are committed to promoting safe, healing and empowering services for our residents and their families. We will utilize, create and take advantage of opportunities to teach, support and model skills needed to support our residents and families in achieving the outcomes they desire in the community.

Model of Care

Sequoyah utilizes the Building Bridges Initiative guiding principles and a trauma- informed approach with a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment in a culturally sensitive environment to address the individual needs of each resident.

The Building Bridges Initiative’s core principles include:

• Family-Driven & Youth-Guided Care;
• Cultural & Linguistic Competence;
• Clinical Excellence & Quality Standards;
• Accessibility & Community Involvement;
• Transition Planning & Services; and
• Reduction of Restraint/Seclusion Use.

For more information visit the Building Bridges Initiative website.

Contributions to the resident’s care come from education, milieu, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, recreation and social work and are integrated into an individualized treatment plan. The treatment plan is explained in terms the residents and their families can understand and are reviewed every thirty days or as clinically indicated. Clinical services provided include:

• Treatment planning
• Group and family therapy
• Art therapy
• Educational services
• Speech and language therapy psychiatry
• Medical/Dental Services
• Individual therapy
• Medication management
• Social services
• Therapeutic recreational activities

Admission Criteria

• The adolescent must be violent or have a history of violence, have a mental disorder, and be amenable to treatment;
• The adolescent has a mental disorder or diagnosis found in the DSM-V;
• The adolescent must be between thirteen (13) and seventeen (17) years of age;
• The adolescent must have the cognitive capacity to benefit from verbal therapies and milieu programming offered at SATC. Normally, this would mean intellectual functioning at least within the borderline range. SATC does not accept admission of adolescents with a diagnosis of a developmental disability (formerly referred to as "mental retardation."); and
• The adolescent is likely to complete his treatment at SATC within three to nine months after admission and be ready to transfer to a less restrictive setting.
• Other admission considerations:
  • If the adolescent and his legal custodian do not consent to voluntary treatment, he may not be admitted unless involuntarily committed under the Children's Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code (NMSA 1978 § 32A-6A-22) under the following criteria:
    • as a result of mental disorder the child needs the treatment services proposed;
    • as a result of mental disorder the child is likely to benefit from the treatment proposed;
    • the proposed involuntary placement is consistent with the treatment needs of the child; and
    • the proposed involuntary placement is consistent with the least restrictive means principle.
  • Need for services is the primary consideration and services are offered without discrimination by reason of race, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.
  • SATC may not exclude from consideration adolescents in the custody of other agencies who might otherwise meet the criteria for services (i.e., CYFD).
  • SATC is not a forensic hospital. Adolescents cannot be ordered to SATC under criminal or delinquency codes and SATC staff members do not complete court ordered forensic evaluations for competency.
  •  Admission preference will be given to residents of New Mexico.

Referral Process

Referrals to Sequoyah may be received from any source in the community and should include a packet of collateral information. After receipt, a pre-admission evaluation will be conducted by a member of the Clinical Staff, who will then present the case to the Admissions Committee for discussion and approval.

Residents are admitted to Sequoyah only under the provisions of the New Mexico Children's Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and are afforded all rights under the Code. Adolescents may not be committed to Sequoyah under the delinquency section of the Children's Code, although treatment may be a condition of the adolescent’s probation or parole.

Accredited School

Sequoyah School is an accredited school serving grades 6-12. There are four classrooms which provide services for the four lodges. Sequoyah teachers are highly qualified across the core areas of Math, English, Social Studies and Science. Each classroom has its own teacher and educational assistant. Psych techs are utilized to maintain a five to one ratio of support for the residents. Special education services and testing are provided as needed.

Recreation Program

Sequoyah offers a Recreation program for all residents as an adjunct to the treatment process that focuses on raising awareness of the important role recreation plays in establishing a healthy life-style. Our high school size gymnasium, playing field and sand volleyball court provide the therapeutic play environment needed for highly active adolescents with high energy needs. A wide variety of activities including sports and games, outdoor hiking, horticulture and greenhouse, arts and crafts and community and cultural experiences all contribute to a rich, therapeutic experience for all of our residents.

Through a partnership with the Santa Fe Mountain Center, Sequoyah has an experiential and wilderness therapy program. Residents are able to learn wilderness survival skills, and enjoy rock climbing, repelling, hiking and overnight camping.

Discharge Planning

Discharge planning begins the day of admission, and will result in the development of a comprehensive discharge plan. The resident and the Sequoyah Treatment Team will work together to make decisions about discharge services.

Residents who do not complete treatment successfully are involuntarily discharged. A resident may be involuntarily discharged if he elopes (runs away), does not participate in his treatment, or does not benefit from Sequoyah’s program. Each resident is responsible for the outcome of his treatment.

Job Opportunities

Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center is part of the Department of Health, Facilities Division. Employment opportunities at Sequoyah are posted by the State Personnel Office (SPO).

You can view the Job Opportunities at Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center on the SPO website today!

Positions that may be available include:

• Social workers
• Registered nurses
• Psychologists
• Maintenance staff
• Teachers
• Secretaries
• Custodial staff
• Therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric technicians and supervisors