The Abraxas Youth Center’s shelter unit is a 30-day emergency program for at-risk youth between the ages of ten and eighteen. Abraxas Youth Center Shelter is located on the grounds of the South Mountain Restoration Center in South Mountain, Pennsylvania. Placement is for 30 days or less, though extension requests are available and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Our shelter program provides 30-day emergency service in a closely supervised setting, which fosters the physical, intellectual, social and emotional support of residents.
The program it based on the concept that environment has a forceful impact on the development of juveniles. The Abraxas Youth Center Shelter 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. Shelter services place a high degree of emphasis on safety and security through the use of intensive supervision and a highly structured framework of institutional norms and programming, which stresses resident support, growth, and development. Programming is designed to provide “goal planning” that promotes resident growth and development, which prepares them for transition into other living or programming arrangements. Residents receive individualized clinical assignments prepared by their counselor. These assignments address issues compiled from a collection of information received from the resident, caseworker, probation officer, and family members. Residents will follow a curriculum of groups, which provide psycho-educational groups in Balanced and Restorative Justice, and competency development in various social skills.
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, and as prescribed by state law, each student will receive a minimum of 5.5 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 the next step in the growth 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 program of instruction is designed to meet the needs of the whole person. This holistic approach includes, but is not limited to, intellectually, physically, morally, and behaviorally challenging students. It is stressed that learning is a life-long process, which continues to change the learner's perceptions and behavior. Experiential learning and exploration by teachers and support staff determine what is relevant curriculum. Students learn within a caring and structured educational program that promotes dignity, honesty, values, and respect.
Teachers focus on educating students to develop respect for others, to respect laws, and to guide them toward increased self-initiative with the targeted outcome of becoming educated, conscientious, and contributive citizens. The curriculum focus is on incorporating the object lesson while addressing specific needs of students. The object lesson is specifically developed for at-risk youth. Abraxas recognizes that there is a significant difference in the method of instruction and type of educational programs that are provided to committed youth.
Once it has been 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 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 provided five days per week (scheduled every other day to allow more families access to visits) on a first come basis. Visits with family members occur in the context of encouraging family involvement into the service planning process. A supervisor or a resident’s primary counselor must approve all visits in advance. There is always a 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 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 contact. Family involvement is considered a key component of any adolescent program and is strongly encouraged. Phone calls are limited to immediate family members and are also considered to be part of the service planning process.