The Abraxas Youth Center’s Detention Program is a short-term, temporary residential placement for alleged or adjudicated delinquent youth between the ages of ten and eighteen. This program provides secure, safe custody in a closely supervised setting which fosters the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of residents.
The program is based on the concept that environment has a forceful impact on the development of juveniles. The Abraxas Youth Center endorses the basic concepts of promoting adolescent development and addressing the needs of human dignity in an environment that encourages positive growth. The program challenges and fosters changes in irresponsible attitudes and thinking and seeks to create positive self-esteem within a climate that encourages self-examination. Detention services place a high degree of emphasis on safety and security through the use of intensive supervision and a highly structured framework of program norms, which stress resident growth and development. Although not "treatment" focused, detention programming is designed to provide activities which promote resident growth and development, and to prepare them for entry into more long-term treatment processes, or a successful return to the community.
The primary goal of the AYC detention unit is to provide safe, secure, 24-hour out-of-home care to children who have been assessed as posing a risk to the community. Secondary goals involve the fostering of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth by promoting "resident development" activities while in the program. Although not viewed as therapeutic/clinical programming, these activities engage the child in an experiential and cognitive process whereby inappropriate behaviors and socially unacceptable lifestyles can be examined and the change process be encouraged in preparation for entry into a program of treatment.
Upon admission and during the initial orientation period, residents undergo evaluation and assessment of needs. A goal plan has been developed to address adherence to norms and expectations as well as to identify areas during the assessment process. This plan will also address a resident’s most critical needs as well as to define short and long-term goals for meeting those needs. Time-limited objectives are used to evaluate the child's progress toward meeting the goals set forth in the service plan and specialized activities and/or services provided are specified and measured for level of achievement on an on-going basis. Family members, juvenile court representatives, staff and significant contributors to the child's development are invited to participate in the development of the service plan along with the child.
Residents are encouraged and expected to participate in all educational programming. From the day of admission, residents are enrolled into the school program, and tested for appropriateness of grade level and evaluation of special educational needs occur as part of the orientation process. An individualized curriculum is developed to meet the needs of each resident and to promote a high level of success in academic endeavors.
Many of the specific resident development activities involve self-examination and the evaluation of values centered on issues of self-criticism, self-improvement, and moral thinking. Residents are encouraged to examine their belief systems and the impact of those beliefs on their lives.
A major focus of the Abraxas Youth Center detention unit is the provision of resident development activities. While enrolled in the program, residents have the opportunity to work on those skills necessary to transition successfully either back into the home community or into a more structured treatment setting. These opportunities may take the form of instruction in such areas as anger management, conflict resolution, socialization skills, basic hygiene, job search assistance, and a variety of life skills training. Emphasis is placed on program content, which is designed for its carry over value and relating the “here and now” to the future. This link between experiential and cognitive learning is emphasized as a method for helping residents achieve success.
Education services are provided on site in conformance with the Public School Code of 1949 and comply with applicable requirements of the Department of Education. The educational program is in session Monday through Friday per state law. Each student will receive a minimum of 5 1/2 hours of instruction each day with academic subjects interspersed with a life skills curriculum. Again, although not "treatment" oriented, the program provides for instruction in the broad area of "resident development". This includes activities, which are designed to prepare the resident for next step in the treatment process and includes: group counseling, counseling in the experiential context, and theme groups (i.e., drug and alcohol education, values clarification, anger management, moral dilemma, conflict resolution, etc.), which occur on a daily basis.
The curriculum includes drug and alcohol education designed to help students develop a knowledge base, and decision making and coping skills to avoid use and/or abuse. The overall curriculum includes decision-making skills so students will be able to make responsible decisions. Vocational assessments are also completed with each student. Abraxas believes these goals offer a starting point and should serve as a reference guide to develop relevant specific goals related to the needs of the student, community, and work place. The relationship of these goals to society is imperative. It would seem logical that these goals be developed in a mutual collaboration with all key participants.
If it is determined that a student qualifies for special education services (according to I.D.E.A.), an Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) is developed and approved for implementation. Abraxas educational programs fully comply with state and federal policies and regulations regarding exceptional students.
The Abraxas Youth Center Detention unit provides for visitation, subject to the approval of the program director, by parents or legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, attorneys or legal representatives, and clergy. Visitation is five days per week (with a day between each visit) on a first come basis. Visits with family members occur in the context of encouraging family involvement into the service planning process both during the Center stay and a commitment to provide continuing support in subsequent treatment and upon the child's return to the home.
All visits must be approved in advance by a supervisor or the child’s primary counselor. There is always staff member available so that parents or guardians can be apprised of progress toward service goals and to thoroughly discuss programmatic or educational outcomes. Visits are generally treated as an integral part of the total service process and time is set aside so the family can discuss issues with counseling staff. Program staff make all reasonable efforts to include parents or guardians in the overall service process and to solicit and encourage their comments and support in the planning process. An initial phone call at intake and a minimum of one phone call per week thereafter is used to maintain family involvement.