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DJC Newsletter May 2005 |
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DJC in the Community
DJC Program Updates
Model County Programs Announcements Informational Items
DJC in the Community Juvenile Sex offender The Northwestern Region Neenah Corrective Sanctions Office is hosting a Sex Offender relapse prevention group. The group is facilitated by Stephanie Kissel. Ms. Kissel, MSW, is with Sherman Consulting and works throughout Outagamie and Winnebago counties. She has led sex offender groups for DOC's Division of Community Corrections as well. The group focuses on relapse prevention, victim empathy and social skills. The group also discusses accomplishments the members may have had and daily challenges clients face in their homes or places of residence. The group meets once a week and currently has four members. The group takes new referrals at any time. Those referrals can be made by any agency on a county or on a state level. The group is process oriented. Each member is introduced to the group process, basic group interaction, and participation skills. Each member is expected to participate openly and supportively. If no knowledge of sexual perpetration is evident, the group shifts to develop an understanding of what sexual offenses are. Once this is established, the focus of the group is relapse prevention and each member is expected to develop a plan for his own relapse prevention. The goal of the group is for each member to develop a moral perspective that supports efforts to no longer offend sexually or criminally. For more information contact Tammy Muller at (920) 729-3911 or you may contact Stephanie Kissel directly at (920) 733-2065. Sherman Consulting offices are located at 5583 Waterford Lane, Suite D, Appleton, WI 54913 and 2380 State Road 44, Suite A, Oshkosh, WI 54904.
Corrective Sanctions Services in Many counties struggle to meet the dual goals of providing services to an increasingly difficult juvenile population and maintaining those youth in the community. Northwestern Regional counties are increasingly taking advantage of a direct commitment option to the Division of Juvenile Corrections' Corrective Sanctions Program to meet this need. Most counties use the program to prevent placement of youth in one of the three Juvenile Correctional Institutions (JCI), for long term incarceration and treatment. In many cases, the youth is having difficulty in adjusting to and abiding by county Social Services or Juvenile Court programs. Their demonstrated need for more structure and accountability poses a dilemma to the worker - often the youth does not necessitate placement in a JCI but is still somewhat uncontrollable. Other identified needs, such as AODA and individual counseling or regular participation in school, may not be met because of the youth's behavior which contributes further to a downward spiral. Although the youth may meet the criteria for placement in a JCI under 938.34 (4m) it would be in the best interest of the youth to remain in the community. This is the juncture that many workers consider and recommend the Corrective Sanctions Program to their respective supervisors or courts. A direct commitment to the Corrective Sanctions Program is an alternative to sending a youth to a JCI for a long term stay, (usually six to ten months), but still gives youth an experience in the JCI for thirty days. During those thirty days they are placed in the reception program and undergo a full assessment and evaluation. From this A&E process the initial case plan is developed. The reception program is highly structured and controlled, exposing the youth to the regimen of the JCI and establishing the expectations of supervision with the youth. During this time the DJC Probation and Parole Agent meets with the family and does a home assessment. The agent meets with the youth at the JCI and explains the rules of supervision. The youth is then released and placed at the designated home with electronic monitoring. A schedule is established and the equipment is installed and activated. The Corrective Sanctions Program has some distinct advantages for the counties using it. Youth receive daily face to face contact during the first month in the program, with gradual reduction in contact over the length of participation. Placement in a JCI as a consequence provides an intervention early in a youth's maladaptive behavior. The immediacy of this sanction helps to redirect youth toward more a pro-social approach to living in the community. The daily rate for the JCI currently is $187 while the CSP is $87, with two thirds of that amount returned at the end of the year in the general youth aids monies awarded to the county. Ultimately CSP costs the county $23 per day. Finally, the CSP also has some purchase of service monies included in the daily rate, which allows the Agent to procure individual services for the youth that otherwise might not be available. Some examples of purchased services include AODA counseling, Alternative School tuition, individual counseling, and driver education and licensing fees. Click for more information about how to make a direct commitment to the Corrective Sanctions Program, and feel free to contact DJC regional offices with questions. Challenges presented to youth in Southeastern Region Community supervision agents have volunteered to offer the Phase III Juvenile Cognitive Intervention Program (JCIP) curriculum, "Challenges", to youth in a group setting at the Milwaukee Report Center. While the 15-lesson curriculum can be delivered one-on-one, youth who had worked in groups through "Choices" and "Changes" advocated for groups in the community. Agents thought it would be a good way to reinforce the JCIP concepts. They officially began offering a group in April. The optimum group size is 10 youth. Two lessons are covered each evening over eight weekly sessions. Youth have been actively participating in the month since Agent Erwin Butler began facilitating the group. Agent Ron Nord will start up another group during May so there is a recurrent cycle to accommodate youth newly transferred to community supervision. Agents continue to look for ways to help youth stay focused on the powerful concept of changing thinking patterns to change behavior. Community Service - part of DJC's Southeastern Region Student Art Project Helps to Brighten Hope House The Division of Juvenile Corrections in collaboration with the Milwaukee Public Schools operates a small community school for youth returning to Milwaukee from the Juvenile Correctional Institutions. The school is called the Transition Success Center. Youth attending this school participated in a mural project during recent months with college students from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. T The mural site is the Hope House located at 209 W. Orchard St. in Milwaukee. The Hope House is a house for homeless families and individuals. The program helps low income people find jobs, housing, and health care so they may improve their quality of life. The students met once per week at Hope House in the afternoon for about one hour. Each youth participating in this project received community service hours. The theme of the mural is a Rainforest with lush vegetation and colorful birds and animals. Please stop by if you are in the area and take a look at this beautiful community service project. Northwestern Region On Saturday, April 23rd, the interns from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at the Department of Juvenile Corrections in Neenah organized a community service project for a small group of clients. Six clients were brought together for a car wash. The kids cleaned both the inside and outside of six vehicles under the supervision of the interns. The clients were provided with all of the necessary supplies to complete their task and received lunch from McDonalds. The clients each completed a total of 4 hours of community service. Even though the weather didn't exactly cooperate and it was cool outside, all the clients pushed through the cold wind and numb fingers to help out in their community. This made the car wash a success. DJC welcomes opportunities for youth community service projects. To offer a project in the Southeastern Region, please contact: Rebecca Winner (414.229.0911), Jeff Davis (414.229.0708) or Jan Long (414.229.0685).In the Northwestern Region, please contact Mark Frost or (715.241.8890), Sue Boeke (608.288.3350). DJC Program Updates
Reorganization at
In an effort to contain costs as downsizing of DJC institutions continues, Lincoln Hills School (LHS) is in the process of reorganization. The goal is to continue to provide needed services for youth while operating as efficiently as possible. Although a living unit is closing (Black Elk Cottage), the Juvenile Cognitive Intervention Program (JCIP) will continue to be delivered. Youth from the living unit will be relocated in other housing units and will receive the cognitive program from trained JCIP staff. Additionally, a security program will be revised to provide additional care and treatment, specifically for youth with a mental health diagnosis. As a result, more treatment services will be provided in an effort to minimize a youth's stay in security. Some staff reassignments will occur to help facilitate these changes, but no programming/educational services will change. LHS will continue to provide AODA programming (including Abbreviated Reception) sex offender treatment, the short-term Cadet Achievement Program, reception services and all educational programming that currently is being delivered.
short-term re-entry program at Ethan Allen School Short-Term Re-Entry Program -Ten Month OverviewThe Ethan Allen School Short-Term Re-Entry Program has been operating since July 2005. The program is 90-120 days long and provides academic education, anger management, Juvenile Cognitive Intervention Phases 1 and 2, JCIP “Families Count”, and a physical fitness component. AODA treatment as well as other treatment groups are provided as needed. Additional treatment components that have been provided to some participants thus far include Parenting Skills class, Creating Lasting Family Connections group for youth and families, and Ropes Course activities. Clinical services include individual therapy, family therapy, and medication management if necessary. Participants are expected to follow the policies and procedures of Ethan Allen School, complete a two week reception process, participate in all Office of Juvenile Offender Review (OJOR) and any Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, participate in re-entry planning, and complete treatment and education goals. Ten youth have participated in the Short-Term Re-Entry Program to date. Dane County has sent six youth. Milwaukee, Kenosha, Waukesha, and Rock Counties have each sent one youth. Ages have ranged from 13 years old to 17 years old. Six youth have successfully completed the program, two failed, and two are currently participating in the program. Ethan Allen School developed this program in response to county suggestions for short-term corrections alternatives that would provide meaningful programming, life-changing skills and structure in young lives. With the demonstrated success of the program thus far, we hope to serve more youth in the short-term program during the next fiscal year. Tay Taylor is the social worker for the Ethan Allen School Short-Term Re-Entry Program. She may be contacted for further information or inquiries at: Teresa.Taylor @doc.state.wi.us 262/646-3341 X 495. |
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Short Term Re-Entry Program for What We’ve Learned in 2004 Southern Oaks Girls School introduced the Short Term Re-Entry Program for Juvenile Girls on January 26, 2004. Twenty-one adjudicated females have been committed to the program since its inception. Eight youth have successfully completed all programming components and seven youth have had substantial difficulties effectively managing the expectations of the program and have subsequently had their commitment status changed to a longer term institutional commitment. One youth was changed via the court order to a Direct Commitment status, and five youth currently remain in the program. Re-entry planning has been central to programming efforts—consistently initiated on the first day of commitment and progressing in parallel with activities within the community and the family. The girl, county, aftercare providers, and family members have been intensively involved in this planning process. The close of the reception process has defined re-entry behavioral, educational, treatment, career, and family living goals for all students involved in the Short Term Re-Entry Program for Juvenile Girls. Students placed in the Short Term Re-Entry Program for Juvenile Girls have undergone two weeks of assessment and evaluation while placed on the Reception Unit. Reception testing and screening has included as needed medical and dental evaluations, Psychological Screening Report, Suicide Risk Assessment, MAYSI-2 (Massachusetts Adolescent Youth Screening Instrument, Second Version), AADIS (Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale), and ADIL (Adolescent Diagnostic Interview Light) if indicated. Education evaluations include the WIAT (Weschler Individual Achievement Test), the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test and the Wide Range Achievement Test, 3rd Edition. Career Assessment has consistently included Career-Scope, COPS Interest Inventory and the Learning and Working Styles survey. Upon completion of the Reception process, students have invested the remaining programming time in gender-specific, culturally diverse, targeted programming. The Short Term Re-Entry Program for Juvenile Girls has focused upon Family Therapy, Re-Entry Skills, Academic Education, the Juvenile Cognitive Interventions Program Phases I and II, educational AODA programming, the Skillstreaming module of Aggression Replacement Training, and Ropes and Challenge/SOAR. These programs have afforded opportunities for girls to let go of negative thinking patterns and behaviors, deal with victimization issues, and develop new positive patterns and coping skills. Academic programming has focused upon instruction in five basic curriculum areas: Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science at both the Middle School and Senior High School levels. Southern Oaks Girls School's curriculum offerings have been aligned with the State of Wisconsin Model Academic Standards in all areas. Credits earned in all content areas have been transferred to all school districts statewide. At the age of seventeen, High School Equivalency Diploma testing has been initiated and has been continued in the community. Efforts have been made to involve all youth committed to the Short Term Re-Entry Program for Juvenile Girls in family therapy, unless contraindicated by family dynamics. Each girl’s assigned psychologist has been available to conduct family therapy sessions. This program has allowed the family and youth to gain a better understanding of family dynamics, work through unresolved family discord, and establish a therapeutic family environment to enhance post-release adjustment. Family therapy sessions have been conducted in-person at the institution whenever feasible, or via phone or videoconferencing in situations where transportation to the facility has been problematic. Transitional community services have been routinely identified and joint sessions have been included for the transition to re-entry. Seeking feedback regarding this new programming option, Southern Oaks Girls School’s Reintegration Social Workers initiated informal telephone evaluations with Aftercare Personnel during the Fall of 2004. Comments regarding the programming orientation were generally favorable. Most individuals contacted believed that the combination of a secure/confined setting with a systematic approach to building a sense of accountability for choices and actions, along with family therapy and transition planning was a valuable experience for committed youth. Concerns were shared regarding carefully screening students for program compatibility. Other concerns raised involved the familial commitment to change, “I think the Short Term Program would be very good for some kids, but I also believe that some parents need to follow through on changes in the home environment also.” You may read more about entry to the Short Term Program at Southern Oaks Girls School on the DOC website. AODA Abbreviated Reception Program Lincoln Hills School I n 2003, DJC conducted Listening Sessions throughout Wisconsin. County agency representatives expressed interest in a streamlined assessment and evaluation process (reception) for certain youth committed to juvenile correctional institutions (JCI).The Abbreviated Reception Program was established in August of 2004 for youth with AODA treatment needs committed to Lincoln Hills School. Since that time, 18 youth from 12 different counties have participated in the program. Twelve of those youth are still at LHS in the AODA program. Although not a direct commitment alternative, the entry process is similar to the Cadet Achievement Program direct commitment model. Al Crevier (OJOR) is the initial contact. County social workers contact Mr. Crevier for a phone screening. Upon a tentative phone approval, Mr. Crevier arranges for admittance with a Corrections Unit Supervisor. Prior to being physically admitted into LHS, the county worker must provide the following:
* Youth must have at least a six-month commitment.Once materials/documents are received, youth can be directly placed into Rogers Reception Program. A youth spends no more than three working days in the program to receive basic orientation, clothing, etc. During these three days, youth are also orientated to the assigned AODA program to begin AODA work. Youth are concurrently placed in school. If needed, educational testing is completed in Rogers Reception. Prior to physically transferring the youth to AODA, a document is completed stating that all reports/documents were received and that LHS is accepting the information as the Assessment and Evaluation Report (AER). The first Joint Program Review Committee (JPRC) is scheduled within 30 days. A Status Report is due by the first JPRC. The AODA program lasts no less than 16 weeks, so another JPRC is held prior to discharge. Youth are evaluated daily on their behavior and treatment progress. At least every 90 days, a Progress Summary is completed that addresses how a youth is doing in meeting the individual goals and objectives assigned to the youth. This report is sent to the family and the county worker and/or agent prior to the OJOR hearing. The Reintegration Social Worker has ongoing contact with the State agent or County worker assigned to the case. This contact is welcomed and encouraged to keep all staff working with the youth well informed, and assist with planning for transition back into the community .Contact: Al Crevier, LHS OJOR, 715-536-8386 Ext.1222 .Announcements Pam Eitland, Juvenile Services Specialist - County Liaison since 1998, has accepted a position as Director of Human Services in Vernon County effective June 27th. Among duties while at DJC, Pam has ably managed the Community Intervention Program with an annual budget of $3.75 million, the Emergency Fund distribution process, and the Juvenile Court Intake Worker Training program. She has fostered meaningful dialogue between DJC and County partners with professionalism and her ever present laughter. She will begin her new position with a thorough knowledge of the social welfare and juvenile justice system, experience as a social worker and understanding of many of the issues faced by counties throughout Wisconsin. Colleagues at DJC say Thank you and Congratulations Pam and wish her the very best. "Absolutely! ". SEEKING INTAKE TRAINING INSTRUCTORS The Division of Juvenile Corrections administers Basic Court Intake Training pursuant to DOC Administrative Rule 399 and state statutes. The WI Juvenile Court Intake Association coordinates the training sessions via contract with the division. Intake Training is a five-day, 30-hour training held in locations across the state. It is designed to provide a newly assigned intake worker with the basic knowledge to perform the job functions of an intake worker. Training requirements include chapters 48 and 938, sections of chapters 51, 118 and 895, and an overview of chapters 939 to 948, the Criminal Code. At this time, we are seeking professionals that are knowledgeable and experienced in children’s/juvenile court and have an interest and experience in training in an adult educational setting. We are interested in discussing training requirements and proposals with a team that consists of a practicing social worker/intake worker and an attorney. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, or know someone that may be interested, please contact DJC Assistant Division Administrator Silvia R. Jackson at (608) 240-5902. Joint Finance Committee reverses proposal to transfer the Community Intervention Program to the Office of Justice Assistance. In DJC Administrator’s Memo to Counties # 05-02, we informed county agency heads that the Executive Budget Bill contained a provision to transfer the $3.75 million Community Intervention Program from the Department of Corrections to the Office of Justice Assistance, effective for the 05-06 state fiscal year. However, on May 11, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance voted to (1) retain the Community Intervention Program in the Department of Corrections, and (2) return to DOC the Youth (Gang) Intervention Program, along with about $1.4 million in funding, which had been transferred to the Office of Justice Assistance in the 2001-03 biennial budget. Stay tuned for further developments! Use and Authorization of 72-hour holds throughout Wisconsin. The Division of Juvenile Corrections conducted an informal survey of all 72 Wisconsin Counties regarding authorization and use of 72-hour holds. Results are available by county. Chapter 980 - Sexually Violent Person Commitments: DJC process to assess appropriateness of referral for possible civil commitment of sex offender prior to release from Juvenile Correctional facility. |
