Appendix A_Program Types~1.docx

Appendix A- DYS Program Types

Hardware Secure Treatment Facilities typically provide treatment services to youth committed to the Department for Grid Level 4-6 offenses. Youth committed for Grid Level 3 offenses involving Firearms or Sex Offenses may also be considered for hardware secure treatment. Initial time recommendations in these placements range from 6-18 months in duration.

Hardware secure treatment facilities are characterized by physically restrictive construction and procedures that are intended to prevent youth from leaving without the approval of the Department. These secure treatment facilities provide a comprehensive treatment regimen via a cognitive behavioral approach that includes Clinical, Educational, and Behavioral components. Individual treatment progress is monitored by behavioral goals. Criteria for graduation from secure treatment include: an acknowledgement of delinquent behavior; a demonstrated understanding of what led up to the youth’s offense(s); a completed Relapse Prevention Plan; active engagement in reducing personal risk to the community; and a demonstrated pattern of consistent pro-social behavior in secure treatment.

Staff secure facilities/programs typically provide treatment services to youth who are committed to the Department on Grid Level 1-3 offenses. Initial time recommendations in these placements range from 0-6 months in duration. These programs utilize a cognitive behavioral approval to treatment with Clinical, Educational, and Behavioral components. Staff secure facilities/programs are characterized by a system of staff training and behavior control procedures designed to prevent youth from leaving without the approval of the Department. Staff secure facilities/programs emphasize accountability, pro-social skill development, and planning for community re-entry. Within the continuum of Staff Secure options, DYS funds Track 2 and Pre-Independent Living programming options.

A Track 2 program component is for youth age 16 years or older who are able to manage community access, and are referred to participate in programming designed to build independent living skills and support their transition to young adulthood. Track 2 programs provide stable and safe housing for youth, while creating opportunities to support their educational and/or vocational goals and assist with obtaining career readiness skills, employment opportunities and eventual transition to independent living or in some cases family reunification.

The Pre-Independent Living program provides a safe, supportive transitional housing environment with community-based services to older DYS youth. The pre-independent living program collaborates with educational, vocational, medical, mental health and substance abuse service providers in the community in collaboration with the DYS district office casework team to ensure access to necessary services as well as continuity of service delivery following program release.

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services to DYS youth (committed or YES) in a scattered apartment model. These youth are preparing to live independently upon release to the community or as they transition from a Track 2, pre-independent living program or other residential program, foster home or other community- based living arrangement.

The goal of the ILP is to prepare youth to transition successfully to independence. ILPs typically provide housing for young adults in non-supervised, minimally-restricted, furnished apartments where they can begin building the necessary skills for independent living. During their time-limited residence, youth receive services based on their unique needs. Typically, youth are required to engage in Life Skills workshops and classes, and meet with their Housing Services Specialist to track progress towards self-sufficiency. In this environment, young people make independent choices and have the opportunity to learn from mistakes, while still experiencing a safety-net of support.

District Offices are situated across the Commonwealth in the home communities where DYS youth reside. DYS Caseworkers, District Managers and provider-contracted Community Services Network staff are stationed at the community-based District Offices and provide support and supervision to all youth committed to DYS and those who opt into Youth Engaged in Services (YES) program. The case management team serves DYS youth from their initial commitment through their DYS discharge or YES termination providing support while the youth is in a residential program, as they prepare for re-entry to the community, during their time in the community and as they continue to engage with DYS through their voluntary engagement in YES. While under community supervision, youth may reside independently, at home with family, with non-guardian placements or in foster care.