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What We Do

If you can’t find the question you wanted to ask, don’t hesitate to contact us!

General FAQs

  1. Is Advent affiliated with a particular denomination?

    No. Advent is a non-denominational Christian social-service agency. We hire Christian staff of varying backgrounds to work with our clients. Our clients come from either unchurched, Christian, or other religious backgrounds.

  2. Do you require your clients to attend religious activities?

    No. Attendance at church services or Bible studies is purely on a voluntary basis.

  3. How many people work at Advent?

    Advent employs about 70 people. We also have a large number of volunteers working to help us fulfill our mission and vision.

  4. What is your organization's privacy policy?

    We take your privacy seriously. Read our privacy policy here.

Residential Program FAQs

  1. How are youth referred to Advent?

    Youth are normally referred to us by the Probation Department (with some referrals coming through Social Services). Prior to admittance into our program, our Intake Coordinator will interview the teen to determine whether or not they are appropriate for our program.

  2. What is the typical background of the youth you serve?

    Our clients come from many different family situations. The key ingredient is that they have reached a place where their addiction has overtaken their lives.

  3. What kinds of services do you offer for the Residential Recovery Program clients?

    Advent's Residential Recovery Program offers a variety of treatment components including evidenced-based practices, individual, group and family counseling, NA and AA meetings, life skills groups, recovery education, special school programs, recreational activities, mentoring, church activities (optional) and Bible studies (optional). Find out more about our Residential Recovery Program.

  4. How many staff work in each Residential Recovery home?

    There are four front line staff, one social worker and a night direct care worker for each of our three residential recovery homes.

  5. How long do youth typically stay in the Residential Recovery Program?

    The typical stay at Advent lasts from 2-12 months. Some teens stay longer depending on their situation.

  6. Where do the teens go when they graduate the Residential Recovery Program?

    Many are able to return to their families, some go to foster homes, sober living environment facilities, or community programs for young adults. Still others may get a job and live on their own.

    When clients leave our residential program, they may continue their recovery work through our Step Up! Outpatient Program, at no cost to them or their family. We also offer lifetime counseling services at no cost to all youth who have gone through the residential program.

  7. Do you only focus on drug and alcohol addiction? What about other issues?

    Most of the kids who come to Advent's Residential Program are dealing with other issues besides drug and alcohol addiction. Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, mental health issues and problems in school are other areas that are addressed in the program.

  8. Do the teens in your program participate in NA and AA meetings in the community?

    Yes. Each home attends 5 meetings per week. This gives the kids the chance to interact with others outside of the home who share in the same struggles they do.

  9. Do the youth attend school while in your program?

    Yes. Advent's teens attend school together as a group. It is vital for our clients to learn in a safe and controlled atmosphere where the temptations of drugs and alcohol are not present.

  10. Are all of your recovery homes located in the same area?

    All of our recovery homes are in Santa Clara County, located in Northern California. Two of our homes are located in Morgan Hill, one in San Martin.

Outpatient Recovery Program FAQs

  1. How does an adolescent get enrolled in the Outpatient Program?

    Simply call Advent at 408-281-0708 and ask to speak to a Step Up! Program caseworker, or email us. An initial assessment will be set-up with the teen and their parent(s) and they can start treatment that day.

  2. What are the hours for group treatment?

    Treatment groups are usually scheduled daily from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

  3. What is the length and frequency of treatment?

    The Step Up! program usually takes about six months to complete. Initially, clients attend the program for five days a week, eventually tapering off to one time per week.

  4. What is the cost for treatment in the Step Up! Outpatient Program?

    The Step Up! program is offered at no cost to teens and most young adults up to 21 years of age. Eligibility is based on the need for substance abuse services - not income.

  5. How is the program funded?

    The Outpatient Program is funded by Santa Clara County, the State of California, and private donations.

  6. If I don't want my child to participate in Minor Consent Drug Medi-Cal, do you accept private payment?

    Yes, we do accept private payment. Additionally, your health insurance provider may also cover some or all of the costs for treatment. Check with your health insurance provider for more information.

  7. Does the parent have to come to the initial assessment?

    It is extremely important to the teen's success for the parent to be involved from the start. The program will be explained at the initial assessment, and a commitment is expected. The teen may come for treatment without a parent's involvement; however, the reasons for the parent's non-involvement will be explored with the teen.

  8. Is family therapy required for the teen to be in the Step Up! program?

    Family therapy is extremely important to the adolescent's success in recovery. If a family is unwilling to be in family therapy, the teen will still be allowed to attend the treatment groups; however, family therapy options will be reviewed frequently.

  9. Why is consistent attendance at Step Up! stressed so highly?

    For two reasons. First and foremost, we cannot help a client with their drug and alcohol problem if they are not attending treatment. Second, their fee for treatment is only covered if they attend. Therefore, attendance is their payment for treatment. Most recovery centers bill for non-attendance. Advent does not, so we ask that they not abuse this policy.

  10. Is transportation provided?

    Clients are responsible for arranging their own transportation, however; we are sometimes able to help with transportation costs by providing bus passes.

    If you would like to volunteer to provide transportation for our Step Up! program clients, please contact us.

Counseling Center FAQs

  1. How do I make an appointment?

    To make an appointment, call (408) 281-0708 ext. 822 between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday, or email us.

  2. What is meant by "low cost" counseling?

    Because Advent is committed to providing services to people of all income levels, we offer a sliding fee scale based on income. For more information, please call (408) 281-0708 ext. 822 between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday, or email us.

  3. What is the difference between an Associate Therapist and a Therapist-in-training?

    Associate Therapists are either licensed by the State of California or close to completing their 3,000 counseling hours for licensure. A Therapist-in-training is called a Trainee or Intern and is under the weekly supervision of a highly skilled, licensed therapist. A Trainee is still in graduate school and an Intern has graduated and is working on their 3,000 hours of counseling to become licensed.

  4. Can I ask for a specific therapist?

    Yes. Their fees are set by the level of their experience (Licensed, Associate or Trainee) and your household income.

  5. What forms of payment do you accept in the Counseling Center?

    We accept most major credit cards, cash or checks.

Employment FAQs

  1. Is Advent hiring?

    Current job openings are posted here.

  2. Is there a time commitment to this position?

    We ask for a one-year commitment from our Direct Care Workers and a two-year commitment from those in positions of leadership. (Facility Managers, Social Workers, Addictions Counselors, etc.)

  3. What does your benefits package look like?

    Advent provides medical insurance, two-weeks paid vacation, nine paid sick days and ten paid holidays.

  4. Do Live-In Direct Care Workers have to find housing for their days off?

    No. Housing is provided 7 days a week when provided with the position.

  5. When you say the shift is 4 days on duty, is it the same four days every week?

    Yes. Your shift will either be every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday , or you will work every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.

  6. What kind of training do you offer new Residential Recovery Program employees?

    During the first two weeks on the job, the Facility Manager will live in the recovery home with you in order to provide you with on-the-job training. During the next three months you will receive on-going training from the Facility Manager. You will also attend monthly trainings on topics including, but not limited to, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Competence, Trauma, Gang Education, Runaway Prevention, Attachment Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Disease Concepts of Alcohol, Suicide and the Holidays, and Spirituality.

  7. Is San Jose near the beach?

    San Jose is located about 30 minutes from the coast. The most popular destination is the city of Santa Cruz.

Funding & Donations FAQs

  1. Where do you get your funding?

    Our funding sources vary. Approximately 80% of our funding comes from the counties that place youth in our programs. The other 20% comes from foundation grants and donations from individuals, churches, community groups and businesses.

  2. How can I help Advent's kids?

    There are countless ways you can support Advent and the kids and families we serve. Find out how by visiting the What You Can Do section of our website.

  3. Can I make an online donation?

    Sure! Visit our Donate Now page to make a secure online donation today!

  4. What types of items can I donate?

    There are a wide variety of donations that can be of great benefit to Advent, such as furniture, household items, office supplies, professional services, real estate, vehicles and even stocks/bonds. For more information, visit the Donate section of our website.

  5. Can I leave a gift for Advent in my will?

    Yes. You may designate Advent as a beneficiary of your estate in your will. Find out more by visiting the Planned Giving section of our website.

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