ACT - JOB CORPS PROJECT
This is an example of Systems Theory-
a focus on coordinating resources
and removing barriers which prevent
systems from joining together and
allowing more to be accomplished.
It began when ACT Camp youth attended
Job Corps classes during the day and
returned to our residential ACT Camp
at night. This proved that JJS youth
could participate in the academic
and vocational programs. That evolved
into our own 25 bed facility within
Keystone Job Corps Center where our
youth live apart in a separate, staff
secure building.
For the last two years, our youth
have about 20% better program retention,
GED, as well as academic and vocational
outcomes
(reports of outcomes comparisons
are available upon request).
In summary, YSA has demonstrated
the ability manage exceptional programs
in diverse locations, and it will
commit significant resources to improving
the building at our ACT Camps in the
next 18 months, doubled our female
beds to 100 and allowing up to 200
at our boys ACT sites.
Readers see references here to research,
our practical experience, and state
of the art theory. Our use of terms
such as MST, Restorative Justice,
General Systems Theory, Youth Development
Philosophy, and criticism of the deficiencies
of the medical model are not used
as superficial ways to impress you
(well maybe alittle).
We regularly use these concepts and
have for many years- generally well
before they became nationally popular.
The theoretical basis for our trademark
Adventure Challenge Therapy (ACT)
is described in research published
by the CEO of YSA in the Journal of
Juvenile and Family court in the February
1992 edition (available upon request).
It had been used and refined since
then. We will be proud to have the
opportunity to demonstrate this effective
approach in Florida as we have already
in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
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