Avenues to Change
Avenues to Change is 32 week in-custody program. A ward can complete a successful program with a minimum of 24 weeks, depending on how quickly they earn satisfactory weeks. Earning satisfactory weeks involves daily participation in mental health counseling, program activities, positive peer and staff relations, and school. At school the wards study math, science, history, English/reading, and art for approximately 5 hours a day. Within six months in Avenues, wards may earn up to 48 credits for school. In addition, wards are released to the Aftercare phase of the program for another six months. During Aftercare a ward may detained for a program timeout in Juvenile Hall for up to three weeks depending on their specific circumstances. One year of confinement time is essential for the wards to cover the In-custody phase of the program and potential Aftercare timeouts that may occur during an Avenues commitment.
The foundation for Avenues is substance abuse treatment and services. A Substance Abuse specialist participates in assessments and the development of treatment plans. A Mental Health Therapist addresses social, cultural, familial and personal patterns that contribute to substance abuse and other behavioral problems. Wards receive approximately 8-10 hours a week of therapy which includes individual, group, gender, family, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous. A history of self reporting, reporting from family, and/or law enforcement is necessary to show a need for such intensive therapy needs.
A low security level is required for the initial screening process due to the Avenues Program. Non-violent wards are more responsive to the therapeutic setting provided in Avenues. Avenues wards also participate in interior and exterior work-details for the maintenance of Juvenile Hall. In addition, wards in the program are occasionally taken off-site on educational field trips which necessitate low security level supervision.
Wards must be mentally and socially capable to participate toward their own rehabilitation. In treating wards, the Avenues staff, will pursue a behavioral model approach. This will include cognitive restructuring to work toward freeing the wards from addiction by substituting it with healthy, thoughtful behavior. There will be regular contact with parents and family throughout the program. Wards that are mentally and socially unable to engage in these therapeutic settings will be incapable of receiving the benefits of the Avenues treatment.
Candidates that are dual-diagnosed minors with predominate issues being substance abuse may also be appropriate for an Avenues commitment. The under-lying issue of substance abuse would have to be the principle reason for their commitment.
