Lewis L. Banks “Connections” Home
“Connections” is designed for youth who have a history of sexually aggressive behavior, who are between the ages of 14 and 18, and/or who will be in state custody until the age of 21. While residing at the step-down program these youth will either be in school, earning a GED, and/or in a vocational training program. These young men will still be considered at low risk, but they will exhibit the potential to be safely maintained in a community setting with a strong containment system.“Connections” boasts an emphasis on creating a positive milieu for its residents. Rather than focusing on the negative consequences of an individual’s action and behavior, the Connections’ staff attempts to highlight, strengthen, and encourage positive conduct and behavior within our residents. Although inappropriate behaviors are obviously addressed, the focus is placed on attempting to positively reinforce and strengthen pro-social conduct and behavior. It is hoped that by providing a positive, encouraging and reinforcing atmosphere, an individual’s pattern of conduct is likely to be reproduced in greater frequency in the future. That is to say, the more that positive actions and behaviors are attended to, the more likely positive behaviors will occur in the future.
The purpose of “Connections” is to: a) provide youth an opportunity to learn the life competencies necessary to face reality, while being surrounded by a safety net, which includes professional, community (teachers, employers, religious organizations, etc.) and personal and
familial support systems; and, b) to teach them to manage their sexual behavior and develop healthy sexual values.This program is reality-based and has been developed to meet the individual needs of the youth it serves. The program is founded on strength-based, family-focused, and community-based principles. It considers the youth’s cultural and familial values in the context of societal values. It utilizes a community-based support system, and is based on a plan of action, and empowerment of the person receiving the services. Our staff supports the growing body of data that suggests family involvement improves the outcomes for children in residential treatment. In addition, through strength-based approaches, each youth is acknowledged as the expert in his own treatment. Community-connected approaches stress safe, supervised use of community resources to facilitate community reintegration.
Within 30 days of admission a residential service plan is developed for each youth. Residential staff, case managers, and the resident himself all come together to review problems that need to be addressed in order to successfully discharge from the program. Goals and objectives are written into the plan along with interventions that are believed to assist in addressing the objectives. Education, family and discharge goals are all included along with goals related to each resident.
Connections’ residents are encouraged to identify a long-range vision of their lives so that they can develop strategies for meeting that life vision. The program is designed to enhance individual strengths, interests, competencies, and resources, in order to develop the coping skills to overcome identified problem areas.
In order for youth to learn the skills necessary to adjust to community living they will be provided information and guidance in the following areas including but not limited to:
- Relapse prevention
- Managing sexual behaviors
- Relationships
- Managing their own emotions
- Sexual, physical, and emotional safety skills
- Understanding sexuality and the development of healthy sexual values
- Healthy touch and appropriate boundaries
- Social and problem-solving skills
- Daily living skills, (money management, medication management, problem solving, applying for a job, applying for financial assistance to colleges or training programs, auto maintenance, gardening, shopping for meals, nutrition management, chores, cooking, and any other basic living skills)
- Substance abuse prevention and self-management
- Crisis survival skills
- Health care and fitness (lessons on nutrition, self-control, personal hygiene, exercise and health)
- Leisure activities development
- Knowledge of community resources (learning through newspaper, television, books, community contacts, etc.)
- Citizenship responsibilities, (volunteer projects, knowledge and understanding of current events, etc.)
- Knowledge of and access to legal services (learning about your rights, how to access services and information, and how to be a strong self-advocate, how to vote)
- Cultural and spiritual resources.
- Job skills (interviewing skills, how to complete an application)
- Educational Resources
In conclusion, it is the Connections’ mission to inspire in our residents a positive, behavioral change rather than to focus on punishing their negative actions and behaviors. It is hoped that through this inspirational approach, we can fulfill our mission, “To provide programs and services empowering children, youth, and families to achieve optimum potential.”