Pathways
The Pathways Academy, formerly known as the Female Treatment Program, is an intensive eight month program for female Wards of the Juvenile Court. It is designed to provide a continuum of highly structured components in the areas of socially accepted and accountable behavior, therapeutic intervention, education, life skills training and family involvement. Each Ward will be assisted in developing ethics, responsible behavior, self esteem, discipline, accountability and leadership.
The first segment of the program begins with an in-custody phase, either in a 12, 18, or 24 week program, which is determined by a review board consisting of the Program Supervisor, Aftercare Probation Officer, a representative from Mental Health and a Pathways Academy staff. The standard or 12 week program is designed for the younger, less sophisticated minor and/or first time commitment. The 18 week program provides the same intensive therapy, but for a longer period of time. The extended 24 week program provides the same intensive therapy to meet the needs of the more criminally sophisticated older offender and/or repeat commitment.
Whether a Ward receives the 12, 18, or 24 week program, they each must complete 3 phases of the program. In phase one, the Wards are given an opportunity to orient themselves to the Pathways Academy and they are given a copy of all program rules. They are assigned a Juvenile Corrections Officer in the unit to assist them in their adjustment. They are also evaluated by Mental Health staff and they are assigned counseling groups based on their needs. Each Ward will be required to attend 1 to 2 groups per week. There are 5 different groups provided by Mental Health which include Social Skills, Anger Management, Relapse Prevention, Stress Reduction and Specialized Treatment for Dual Diagnosis Issues. In these groups the Wards receive intensive therapeutic intervention from Mental Health and each group lasts approximately 1 ½ hours per week.
During phase two, the Wards are also assisted with decision making involving drug, gang and cultural awareness. As each Ward progresses, they will earn program privileges such as being able to keep some personal items in their rooms, work on details outside of the unit, be eligible for outings and obtain extra programming time. They may attend family socials; having up to 4 family members visit them in the unit.
In phase three, in additional to all the privileges in phase two, the Wards are allowed off site visitation with their families. The Wards also work on developing short range plans and identifying special needs. They are taught job readiness, communication skills, money management along with values clarification and nutrition.
The Wards also receive a regimen of educational services provided by the Superintendent of Schools. All students are tested and assessed by fully credentialed teachers upon entry into the school program to establish an approximate reading and math level of performance. The students are also afforded the opportunity to earn high school credits in a program that offers 300 minutes of education per day and operates year round.
The last segment of the program includes follow up by Mental Health and the Probation Department. The Wards are supervised by the Departments Aftercare Unit to ensure each Ward abides by the orders of the Court and to provide assistance in their continuing rehabilitation. Mental Health services are also available to the Wards as needed. This program strives to help Wards establish positive goals in an attempt to improve their chance of success in the community their release from custody.
