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The Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) are separate,
eight-bed facilities for female and male youth. The major
goal of the RTCs is to reunite the family, while addressing
the concerns that made placement necessary.
All youth placed at the RTCs have had previous court
involvement and are on community control (probation) at the
time of placement. The referral process begins with the
community control officer. When the community control
officer deems that placement outside of the home is imminent
for a youth, that officer will set up a formal meeting at
the RTC. The meeting will involve everyone with input in
the case; this includes, but is not limited to, RTC staff,
youth, parents/guardians, community control officer,
caseworkers, drug and alcohol therapists and mental health
professionals. At the meeting, everyone is given an
opportunity to provide information, express concerns and
explain the necessity of the placement.
Upon placement at the RTC, the local mental health agency
provides residents with a mental health and a drug and
alcohol assessment. When treatment is recommended the
services are provided at the RTC and at the mental health
agency. Anger management, skill building, drug and alcohol
prevention groups are held at the center weekly.
Additionally, the youth are involved in community activities
such as bowling, movies, car washes, YMCA and softball.
The RTC utilizes a behavior modification model, presented
through programming in four distinct levels. Each level is
a minimum of five weeks. Prior to starting the first level
of programming, the resident and his/her parent/guardian
must complete orientation. Orientation includes an
interview of the resident and parent/guardian by RTC staff,
learning the RTC rules, and obtaining necessary records for
such purposes as health care and school enrollment. The
resident must pass a test on the RTC rules. The four levels
must be completed successfully to graduate from the
program. As the resident progresses through each of the
four levels, responsibilities, privileges and home visits
are introduced in a graduated fashion. Home visits are
intended to give the family the opportunity to work on the
issues and to become a healthy, functional unit.
The residents and parents/guardians are expected to be
involved in all aspects of the program. The residents have
in-house individual counseling sessions every week. The
areas discussed in the sessions include self, family,
school, RTC and any other areas that need to be addressed.
Point sheets are used to chart daily behaviors. Family
sessions are held at least every two weeks. The goals of
the sessions are to focus on areas of concern and to report
the progress of the residents to the parents/guardians. The
residents and their primary counselor meet with the youth’s
community control officer on a monthly basis.
The residents attend Xenia Community Schools, which includes
daily tutoring at the RTC throughout the school year. Study
time is mandatory. The staff visits the schools almost
daily to monitor the youth’s progress.
For further information contact Greene County Juvenile Court
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, at (937) 562-4000. |
