Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Moves Forward with  Therapeutic Environment Training; Begins Training Participants

The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has completed the “training for trainers” (T4T) component of the Therapeutic Environment Training (TET).  Staff training is now taking place at all five youth development centers.  In addition, TET training has begun for court counselor supervisors anad detention center supervisors.
 
The training, a curriculum that delivers skills and knowledge and gives staff tools to create a therapeutic, teaching environment, will transition current youth development center operations to therapeutic environments for all committed youth and result in the implementation of an environment in which youth receive education and treatment in ways that allow for the development of skill competency and behavior and life changes.

“This training will give staff members the necessary tools to effectively work with youth and families we serve,” said Kathy Dudley, who has led the TET effort to this point.

1. Participants will work through the instruction of 8 modules of training:
2. Mission/Vision /Teamwork
3. Understanding Juvenile Needs and Issues
4. Building Collaborative Helping Relationships and Helping Skills
5. Defusing Explosive Situations
6. Group Leadership Skills
7. Documentation/Written Communication
8. Motivational System as part of Therapeutic Environment
9. Relating Effectively to Families and Communities

Thirty-eight participants from the Eastern and Central and Western areas have already been trained to teach the therapeutic environment model over the next eight months.  Some of these participants were also identified as master trainers, presenting material for the instruction session as well as being part of their area training team.  These trainers are currently instructing staff at Dillon, Dobbs, Samarkand, Stonewall Jackson, and Swannanoa as well as selected court services and detention staff.  Each trainer is prepared to present portions of the modules. Content is delivered through various activities as well as through lecture.

The Department plans to have all five youth development centers working with therapeutic environments in early 2007.