This program helps residents achieve social adjustment, employment, and educational success once they leave the juvenile center. The ultimate goal of transition services is to promote successful reintegration of residents back into the home, community and school.
Casey Life Skills Program
The West Central Regional Juvenile Center utilizes the Casey Life Skills program (CLS). CLS is designed to be used in a collaborative conversation between the resident's counselor and any youth between the ages of 14 and 21. It is appropriate for all youth regardless of whether they are in foster care, live with their biological parents or reside in a group home. CLS is a program that assesses the behaviors and competencies youth need to achieve their long term goals. It aims to set youth on their way toward developing healthy, productive lives. Examples of the life skills CLS helps youth self-evaluate include:
- Maintaining healthy relationships
- Work and study habits
- Planning and goal-setting
- Using community resources
- Daily living activities
- Budgeting and paying bills
- Computer literacy
- Their permanent connections to caring adults
Assessments
Residents are assessed about a week into their program and again about 1 week prior to their release. The initial testing provides for areas of growth that the resident will then focus on during their stay through written assignments, reading, and 1 on 1 counseling. The post-test shows the changes that occurred during the placement.