Positive Adolescent Sexuality Services (PASS) Program

PASS is a program that strives to provide therapeutically specific services to youth who are demonstrating sexually inappropriate, abusive or offending behaviors.

PASS provides services to youth in the least restrictive environment with less trauma and stigma, with direct application of learned skills, at a lower cost of service than other services/programs.

Positive Adolescent Sexuality Services  (PASS) is a program that provides high intensity therapeutic intervention to youth with histories of sexually abusive behavior.  PASS uses state-of-the-art, research based treatment strategies for youth living at home or in a therapeutic foster care setting.

The program is closely and jointly supervised by social workers and psychotherapists.  This multi-disciplinary approach assures an integrated and comprehensive response to treatment needs.  Three therapy sessions are provided per week, one individual, one group, and one family session.

The PASS Approach

When considering all that the field currently knows, we believe:

• Juvenile sex offenders must be understood by considering their needs and behaviors on a continuum.
• Many juveniles adjudicated or convicted of sex offenses today, do not present with a high risk to reoffend.
• Many juveniles adjudicated or convicted of sex offenses require approaches other than conventional juvenile sex offender counseling services.
• Providers must understand the individual needs of each juvenile offender when assessing and working with the youth.

Healthy Ways

Healthy Ways is a group for children with sexual behaviour problems, ages 6-12 (male and female).  It is a 12-week program endorsed by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect and a part of the PASS continuum of care.

WHO PASS SERVES:   PASS serves the needs of adjudicated and non-adjudicated youth demonstrating sexually inappropriate, abusive, or  offending behaviours.

DELIVERY MODELS: The program offers group therapy, individual and family counseling, and community-based care management services, and is provided in the participants’ life settings.  This approach provides a service much more cost effective than less successful facility-based programs.

TREATMENT LENGTH: Generally treatment is 30 weeks from assessment to program completion, and includes a minimum of 24 weeks of therapy.  Service length may be adjusted based on needs.

Program Profile

PASS utilizes a cognitive-behavioral approach to effect change.  Youth are taught to identify, alter and reshape self-destructive patterns of thought and bahavior. Relapse prevention strategies are also imortant components of the program.  Core elements of PASS teach responsibility in thinking and behaving, victim awareness and prevention strategies, and the development of a pro-social lifestyle. 

For more information about the PASS program, please contact the National Youth Advocate Program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free at 1-877-NYAP-CAN or 1-877-792-7226.