ACT Goals - ACT is an alternative to more restrictive placements and serves youth unable to remain in their home communities for a variety of reasons. It is also a demonstration of a restorative justice program with exceptional levels of community service and restitution. We believe these activities also provide an important therapeutic benefit to the youth – they feel more attached to their communities, more self-esteem, and they learn skills..

Major ACT components are: (1) adventure, (2) education, (3) community service, and (4) case management and therapeutic services.

Adventure - these activities are used to promote positive emotions, self-esteem and bonding between staff and youth; it is potent non-verbal therapy. Adventures such as ropes courses, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, backpacking and sailing, all produce positive emotions in youth who otherwise may have had bad feelings while at home.

Community Service - Based on the amount of community service work, youth earn monthly stipends which can be paid to victims for restitution or outstanding court fines.
A special high restitution program with $500 per month restitution can be arranged for some longer-term youth who achieve well, and are participants in collaborating job training youth programs.

Education Component - We have licensed alternative schools in the main ACT camps in PA. Students who were truant and not achieving are often able to catch-up and gain skills needed to be more successful. ACT orientation includes a biological adjustment to normal sleep-awake cycles necessary for school or jobs. ACT schools have a strong vocational component with landscaping, building trades, auto mechanics and now even marine trades (in Maryland). Youth also learn by hand-on participation in conservation and environmental projects- studying wildlife habitat, surveying species distribution, soil erosion control and fire prevention, etc.

Each client’s educational plan is individualized with input from the home school, probation officer, case manager, ACT staff, and the client. The educational programs include:

(1) continuing the home school’s curriculum with books, materials and assignments by the home school are priorities when possible.

(2) core curriculum is math, reading, history, science, physical fitness, life skills, personal hygiene.

(3) learning through independent study courses designed by home school and/or the ACT teachers.

(4) participation in on-site vocational training (rehabbing facilities and culinary arts- all meals are prepared by youth under supervision of our Culinary Instructor), and off site (aftercare apprenticeships will be sought with area businesses, such as auto repair facilities and restaurants in home communities.

(5) tutoring for GED when appropriate.

(6) placement in YSA’s Job Corps Program

(7) participation in a Title 1 reading program to improve skills for the regular curriculum requirements .

(8) participation in a summer school or science-math enrichment classes.

The educational program will provide an individualized assessment and a competency-based remedial educational program. The educational program will operate under the local school district’s LEA (Legal Education Act) and will be staffed by certified teachers.