Secure Detention Programs

Our secure programs are designed to hold juvenile offenders ages 10 - 19 (up to 21 on Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ)). All residents need to be adjudicated delinquent for placement in the secure units. Psychological evaluations may also be administered upon request or referral to either program. We will assist area counties with transportation whenever possible.

60-90-120 Day Correctional Residential Program

The focus of this program is to provide a positive and worthwhile experience for our residents.

Admission

Initial acceptance of any resident shall be determined by administrative staff. A court order must accompany a new resident entering our program.

Guidelines

New residents may be of either gender and between the ages of 11-19 years old. Youth on EJJ may also be accepted into and participate in the program until their 21st birthday.
There will have been an adjudication of delinquency and a signed court order.
We have an initial 10 day acceptance period. We also reserve the right to terminate a stay if a resident's behavior gets completely out of hand or there are specific psychological problems over and above what this agency can accommodate.
We will obtain information regarding social history and background materials. We must also immediately receive educational and medical history information.

Substance Use Disorder Program

The West Central Regional Juvenile Center (WCRJC) offers substance use disorder programming through Drake Counseling. The Residential Treatment Corrections program Can be either 60, 90, or 120 days in length. This treatment is classified as outpatient and is provided onsite. It consists of an evaluation, education, group therapy, and individual therapy. Drake Counseling provides probation agents and chemical dependency assessor with weekly updates. Midterm and discharge recommendations are made at the conclusion of a client's stay. The WCRJC may be able to provide Rule 25 assessments on a request basis.

Drake also provides a counselor for weekly family counseling sessions for those families who wish to participate. After the initial face to face counseling session, weekly meetings can be held via the telephone/Skype. The family sessions are provided with no cost being assessed to the family or county.

Room and board is covered by the bed purchasing program or per diem, but counties will receive a separate bill from Drake Counseling for services rendered that are not covered through private insurance.

Program Objectives

The program is designed to focus on areas of concern that are identified by the family/legal guardian, referring agency, and the resident. The resident will be assigned a special counselor who will facilitate in addressing those issues.

A contract will be drawn up that will be based on the specified areas of concern. It will also include individual responsibilities, such as work details and journaling, as well as expected behavior. The resident's progress and privileges are determined by their ability to meet the objectives of their contract and their behavior.

Residents are eligible to earn up to $1 a day by completing prearranged work details and/or other arrangements agreed upon in the resident's individualized contract or case plan. This money can be used toward commissary, outings or personal items.

We offer Substance Use Disorder programming as an addition to our 60 to 120 Day Corrections Program. This treatment is classified as out patient and is provided on site. It consists of evaluation, education, group and individual therapy.

Sexual Therapy

The facility partners with PsycLogics to offer the Pathways Program for youth that have sexually offended. Youth that are assessed at a moderate risk to re-offend are the most appropriate for the secure unit. However, therapists are able to work with low and high risk youth if they deem them to be appropriate after reviewing their files. Up to four hours of group facilitation per week is provided as well as individual therapy to youth based on their needs. Lower intensity therapy may be provided to those that are not appropriate for the full program. Youth assessed at a low risk to re-offend may participate in the Pathways program in the non-secure unit of the facility.

PsychLogics will provides 4 hours of onsite therapy per week by a trained psychologist or mental health professional. This program is open ended. Residents may finish more quickly or take longer based on their effort.

Stages of Accomplishment

Benson will use a manualized approach, using Phil Rich's workbooks The Stages of Accomplishment. Group members will be required to purchase the workbooks (about $40 for all 4).

Stage 1 "Introduction to Treatment" focuses upon basic concepts and sets the foundation for the workbooks that follow.
Stage 2 "Understanding Yourself" helps youth focus upon and understand emotions, behaviors, thoughts and thinking errors.
Stage 3 "Understanding Dysfunctional Behavior" identifies and works through behavioral cycles, safe behavior and relapse prevention.
Stage 4 "Hitting the Target: Making Change Permanent" addresses empathy, victim awareness, community service, communication skills, and healthy relationships.

Parents Group

Current research indicates that parental involvement makes a valuable contribution to the successful treatment of children with sexual behavior problems. This group is designed to help parents become active partners in their child's treatment and recovery from sexually abusive behaviors. The 20 hour program will help answer many of the common questions parents have, teach them the same concepts their child is learning in the program so they can understand the treatment their child is receiving and learn how they can help the process. The group also covers appropriate parental supervision and what to do when the victim is another family member in the home.

Prior to beginning the program, the child must have completed an approved risk assessment with a tool such as the ERASOR, JSOAP or similar tool valid for this purpose, administered by a qualified professional.

PsychLogics will attempt to utilize medical insurance when possible.

Trauma Services/Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The facility partners with Lutheran Social Services to provide trauma therapy onsite with our residents. An initial trauma assessment is conducted to determine the level of care needed and if standard trauma services or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is more appropriate. Mental health professionals provide individual therapy to youth based on the level of care that they require. Therapists are also able to provide family therapy to families that would benefit from the service.