YSA staff are available for any hearings or meetings involving a client before, during, and after placement. Case management is the backbone of all YSA programs. A single point of contact strengthens communication and effectiveness for all parties involved in a client’s life. YSA strives to develop realistic individual and family goals, reflected in an Individual Service Plan.

Intake Process - ACT placements range from 30 days to over a year, a typical stay is in the 3-6 month range, with youth ages from 11 to 18 years. The intake process screens youth for medical conditions, educational goals, restitution requirements and individual behavioral health needs. Transportation is provided by YSA.are permitted after 30 days and family mediation and therapy can be provided by request during visitations at the camp on weekends. Urinalysis testing by our licensed lab is provided when needed, and ACT youth may have random testing while at the camp if there is probably cause to suspect substance use. Monthly progress reports are provided to the referring agency summarizing a youth’s performance in the ACT program.

Weekend only ACT - is available for youth living at home in some locations who contract for this service. This is an effective behavioral intervention since youth do not like to lose their weekends, or camp outdoors, in all weather conditions. These youth sleep in individual army surplus tents and either have overnight backpacking or community service projects. Moderate sanctions like weekend ACT discourage irresponsible behavior and are an effective forms of behavior therapy. The weekend allows them to remain at home in their school.

Female ACT Program - these camps are for the special needs of young woman. Group and family counseling are available, with emphasis on adventure challenge therapy and environmental education. Due to the high incidences of abuse and trauma among females, we staff this program primarily with female staff. There are two sites, one with more access to therapy to address post traumatic stress syndrome and other behavior health issues.

Motivation Squad is used to impact youth facing “Failure to Adjust” or who are not achieving personal goals. They receive intensive supervision and specialized activities. It is not, however, a Boot Camp style program, which tears down self-esteem and in which staff model aggression. Research has shown Boot Camps to be ineffective.

Mountaineers Program - these youth receive advanced adventure training and receive more privileges and leadership, including becoming members of the Black Bears Club. They lead in ropes course facilitation, back packing and mountain biking, kayaking, sailing and rock climbing. They participate in, and help lead off-site adventure outings.

Behavioral Health Program - ACT Camps have programs for the prevention of substance abuse, AIDS/STD, and other health risks. Skills are taught in self-sufficiency, personal finance, career exploration, stress and anger management, parenting skills, and health awareness. Behavior Management - ACT clients are given opportunities to succeed and are not just motivated by punitive controls. Like many programs, we use a behavioral-based system to motivate youth towards positive behavior. But unlike most other providers, we offer much more positive rewards in addition to the negative consequences. Research into learning theory clearly shows that there should be more rewards than punishments to change a behavior. Yet programs get trapped into only a well-developed negative sanction system. In short, not enough carrot and too much stick. This often happens because youth present so many negative behaviors that programs get focused on only responding to them.