Detention
Transition Program Sparks Hope for
Juvenile Offenders
Maryland-based PSI Family
Services, Inc. and Maryland Juvenile
Intensive Case Management for
Convicted Juveniles as Part
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, February 12,
2003 -- A couple of years back, the State of Maryland longed for a program
designed to transition juvenile offenders back into school and the community.
Determined to find effective alternatives to extended detention or half-way
houses for its juveniles, the Maryland Juvenile Justice Department called upon
leading foster care agency PSI Family Services, Inc. for help. PSI combined its
extensive knowledge of special education, mental health, and social work to
create this new program. A little over two years later, PSI’s Intensive Case
Management Program is succeeding; teen offenders now have a unique opportunity
to rejoin society.
The challenge for the State was
to find a way to motivate these youths to become productive citizens. This
required intensive, 24/7 support in a home environment, in school, and during
treatment. PSI’s Intensive Case Management program, which is part and parcel
of its long-standing and respected Therapeutic Foster Care Program, has been the
answer.
Juvenile teens, usually ranging
in age from 16 to 21, qualify for the program only upon recommendation from
social workers in the Juvenile Justice Administration. Typically, they recommend
nonviolent offenders, both male and female, who have been convicted of crimes
such as possession of drugs or other forms of serious misconduct. After meeting
with the juvenile and studying his/her circumstances, PSI then selects and
specially trains therapeutic foster parents who can offer the supervision and
care necessary. (While some of the teens do have some contact with their
biological families, a return home is not an appropriate alternative.) The
program is funded by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice.
“Our intensive program provides
the blend of essential support services that ultimately demonstrate to these
kids that there is an alternative and better way of life outside of crime,”
said Dr. Yvonne Ali, PSI’s Executive Administrator. “The specific goals
include transitioning adjudicated youth into a productive adulthood and
preventing recidivism. Loving homes, therapeutic intervention, formal education,
24-hour supervision, and parental guidance have saved the lives of many.”
Each participant has a clinical
social worker, a mental health therapist and, as needed, a case aid. They meet
with the youth regularly, monitor school attendance or GED classes, provide
after-school training and counseling in PSI’s Independent Living Center, and
24-hour emergency services to the family. PSI’s case managers meet with the
foster parents at least weekly and lead in-home group meetings monthly with all
family members to improve communication and address existing conflicts.
PSI’s mental health therapists
have daily contact with these
teens, sometimes even visiting their school. This
therapist is also responsible for arranging transportation from school to
PSI’s Independent Living Program for counseling and training. During this
time, the juvenile has the benefit of participating in PSI’s highly regarded
educational on-line courses provided by PSI e-College as well as utilizing
PSI’s popular Bridge Book Series, a compilation of guidebooks designed to
foster independent living.
The courts are also heavily involved in this program, and must approve the foster care placement. PSI case managers attend court hearings and present testimony on an as needed basis regarding the progress of the juvenile. PSI staff also works closely with the public schools, attending school hearings and approving of special educational services. On a monthly basis, PSI sends reports to the Juvenile Justice Department, supplemented by quarterly in-person meetings, keeping all apprised of any changes in the youth’s conduct.
“Part of the beauty of this program is the relationships that develop between the foster children and parents on the one hand and PSI and the foster families on the other,” continued Dr. Ali. “No doubt these relationships provide a strong spark of hope for these troubled teens.”