Adolescent Services

Consistency in approach and firm limit setting are of paramount importance in our locked secure programs. Residents who are appropriate for these units appear to possess the ability to emotionally disconnect from those whose lives their behaviors have most impacted. They also tend to display an unwillingness to acknowledge the effect that their behavior has had on others. With that in mind our locked secure programs put a high premium on accountability, personal responsibility and empathy.

Hawk

Hawk is a locked-secure 8-bed unit serving adolescent males that range in age from 10 to 14. This highly structured program is designed to address a variety of socio-emotional and behavioral issues including the following: physical aggression, verbal aggression, depression, self-harm, hygiene problems, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, identity problems, criminal thinking, relationship problems, substance abuse, poor performance and attendance in school. Each resident’s specific needs are addressed via therapy, education, recreation, medical services, activities of daily living and social skills training.

A Master's level therapist is assigned to the unit. The therapist on Hawk maintains a caseload of up to eight residents. Each resident has an individual session at least once per week. The residents also have group five times a week with their peers on the unit.

On-site education is provided by the Mishawaka School System.

Irish Hall

For adolescent males ages 12-18, Irish Hall residents have a considerable history of socially unacceptable behaviors. Frequently at odds with authority figures, these residents tend to be impulsive, emotionally volatile, at times aggressive, and lacking the internal controls necessary to function in less restrictive environments.

The milieu of Irish Hall is designed to be supportive and challenging, educative and introspective. Utilizing positive peer support and group pressure, residents are challenged to not only accept responsibility for their actions but to also recognize the impact their behavior has on others. Our staff is trained to maintain the delicate balance between conformity to unit rules and norms without the sacrifice of individuality.

Riverview

For adolescent females ages 12-18, Riverview residents have a considerable history of socially unacceptable behaviors. Frequently at odds with authority figures, these residents tend to be impulsive, emotionally volatile, at times aggressive, and lacking the internal controls necessary to function in less restrictive environments.

Designed to be supportive and challenging, educative and introspective, the milieu on Riverview has been created with issues that are unique to female residents in mind. Positive peer support and group pressure are both utilized in an effort to challenge the residents to recognize the impact their behavior has on others.

Staff Secure

Building a solid foundation of self-worth while breaking destructive behavior patterns, the milieu in our staff secure programs is designed to be encouraging, supportive, and provide real life metaphors of personal and family responsibilities.

Sunnyview

For adolescent females ages 12-18, Sunnyview residents have a history of high-risk behaviors such as runaway, self-harm, and sexual promiscuity. Clouded judgment coupled with limited internal controls has resulted in multiple poor decisions and have created a life that is completely out of control.

The milieu on Sunnyview is designed to assist these young ladies in their struggle to find their identity. Capitalizing on their need for acceptance, the staff on Sunnyview is trained to use positive peer pressure and group support as catalysts to set these young ladies on the road to reaching their full potential.

New Beginnings

For adolescent males ages 12-18, New Beginnings residents have a history of high-risk behaviors. Frequently driven by a sense of hopelessness, these residents vacillate between defiance of authority and complete withdrawal from friends and family. Poor impulse control and impaired judgment have been key contributing factors to their loss of control.

The milieu on New Beginnings is designed to assist these residents in their effort to piece their lives together. By creating situations that mimic real life, these residents develop social skills, increase their appreciation for the rights of others, as well as learn to manage themselves through internal controls.

For many youth, the years between late childhood and early adolescence can be particularly challenging. Coupled with issues of depression, hyperactivity, defiance, or aggression, and a formula for self-destruction have been created. It was this unique combination of factors that led to the development of our King Unit.

Serving males ages 9-14, the milieu on King Unit is designed to help these young men overcome those obstacles that are hindering healthy emotional growth. Positive peer pressure and group support are employed in an effort to teach these residents an appropriate way to express feelings, respect for self and others, and to accept responsibility for their behavior while supporting their peers in doing the same.

Creekside

Using inherent strengths as building blocks for future success is the perfect descriptor of our Creekside Program. This co-ed unit accepts residents who are ages 13-18 and have an IQ between 50 and 70. Creekside residents have cognitive challenges coupled with emotional and behavioral issues that have left them with decreased coping skills, impaired ability to read social cues, and difficulty making and maintaining relationships.

Knowing that rewarding small successful steps leads to more success, our staff serve as teachers- providing step by step instructions, role models- demonstrating the expected behavior, and coaches- offering encouragement. This three-pronged approach leads to improved quality of life and aids our residents in reaching their fullest potential.

S.T.A.R.T.

Sexually Traumatized Adolescents in Residential Treatment

The S.T.A.R.T. Program is designed for adolescent males ages 13 to 18 that have engaged in sexually maladaptive and abusive behaviors and are at a high risk of re-offending. Operating with the core belief that early intervention yields the greatest results, resident belief systems are challenged early in the process to reduce the chances of their becoming ingrained.

While maintaining a supportive milieu, staff sets about on a course to both understand and pierce the veil of cognitive distortions and rationalizations that are used by our residents to support and excuse their behavior. Residents work closely with the Treatment Team to recognize personal behavior patterns that lead to re-offending and insights gained are used to develop individual intervention strategies.

Group Home Living

The residents that enter our group homes range in need from those who will reintegrate with their families to those whom need independent living services. Located in the local community, these homes provide the perfect environment for adolescents who are in need of an opportunity to put into practice newly obtained skills. In addition to the above served populations, we also have a group home for adolescent male sex offenders.

Independent Living Group Homes

Horizon and Liberty House

Adolescents, who are in need of a safe and supportive environment in which to pursue social and economic independence, will greatly benefit from the services provided in our independent living group homes. Serving both boys and girls ages 16-18, the staff at Horizon and Liberty House are committed to assisting these youth as they evolve from a position of dependency to self-sufficiency. Youth attend community schools, obtain part-time employment, maintain a savings account, and are heavily involved in community-based activities.

Arbor House

The road to reunification is the common hope of the youth who reside at Arbor House. This co-ed group home for adolescents ages 12 and older, provides the perfect environment for self-exploration, healing, and a return to normalcy. Serving as both teacher and role model, the staff at Arbor House seek create experiences that teach respect, foster creativity, and instill self worth.

S.T.A.C.C..

Sexually Traumatized Adolescents in Community Care

Designed for adolescent males who have completed an intensive sexual offender treatment program, STACC, provides a structured yet nurturing environment that stresses empathy, healthy sexuality, relapse prevention and personal responsibility. The staff members at STACC receive specialized training that enables them to positively affect the lives of these residents as they pursue full integration into society.

Transitional Living Program

The Transitional Living Program (TLP) is a comprehensive program that provides housing and supportive services to both male and female youth who are in need of a safe environment in which to make gradual movement toward self-sufficiency. Participants in the program are runaway and homeless youth who are emancipated, parenting or currently pregnant, non-wards, or have the consent of legal guardians.

Residents reside in their own apartment and attend public school or work toward a GED. Under the guidance of a case manager, residents get and maintain employment, open a savings account, and have access to community resources. All youth and TLP staff are housed at a local apartment complex approximately 1.5 miles from The Children's Campus.