Post Dispositional Program
The mission of the Post D Program is to teach residents how to make positive choices in regards to education, personal life, family, and community.
The resident manual that all residents receive upon intake highlights the requirements, responsibilities and expectations of residents and their parents/guardians while they are in the Post D Program. It also summarizes the Post-Dispositional visitation policy, phone calls, and the types of services the resident will have the opportunity to participate in while in the program.
The Post-D Program is an individualized educational/ treatment program that is structured for residents that have not been successful in community-based programs or other types of residential programs. The Post-D program’s approach contains an educational component that develops knowledge in the areas of life skills, career options, and vocational abilities that will lead to a more disciplined lifestyle. The program also utilizes treatment services available in the community and within the facility to meet the individualized treatment needs of the resident sentenced to the program. The Post-D program offers motivational enhancements and intervention efforts promoting successful re-entry of the youth into the community.
The program is a dispositional alternative for juvenile offenders who meet the program criteria and who may benefit from local, short-term confinement and treatment while in a controlled setting. Whenever possible, the resident will receive services within his/her own community. These services are intended to increase family and community involvement, thus increasing the juvenile’s chances for successful transition back into their home setting. Examples of the services that are offered are: individual counseling, group counseling, substance abuse classes and counseling, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, community service and home visits, which slowly transitions the resident back to the community and family while still under the rules and expectations of the program. Monthly treatment team meetings are held to discuss the progress of the resident toward their program and treatment goals. NRJDC staff, NRJDC Mental Health provider, the resident’s Probation Officer, parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) and anyone else who is working with the family or juvenile participates to allow for a consistent continuation of services once the resident is released. All residents enter the Post-D program under a suspended commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Non-compliance with the program will result in a recommendation to be committed.
Summer Program
Each year staff at the NRJDC creates and implements a program throughout the summer months. Staff meet in April with ideas and by the end of school in June; the programs are ready to begin. Program topics include cultural diversity, health, fitness, arts & crafts, games and various guest speakers. We include a balance of educational topics with fun and games to foster interest and inclusion.
Residents learn about history by watching videos about various topics. Current events are stressed as well. Residents are assigned books to read and they write reports on what they learned. Residents learn about horticulture through planting flowers and growing them in our greenhouse. Also, our facility nurse teaches health and fitness class to promote personal growth. They learn the dangers and effects of drugs and alcohol on the body. They learn proper diet, nutrition and proper hygiene. Our Post D residents participate in First Aid and CPR class to obtain their certification.
Residents learn the different cultures of several countries. They learn the language, food, history and the lives of the people. They are also introduced to sign language through guest speakers. Past guest speakers have included: police officers, a representative from The Shelter for Abused Women, various business owners in the community and church volunteers from the Salvation Army.