Structure
Our program is designed to provide behavior modification therapy to adolescent girls and boys ages 12 to 18 within the context of a multi-system treatment approach utilizing an adaptive therapeutic community model. The therapeutic community (TC) is an intensive and comprehensive treatment model developed for use with adults that has been modified successfully to treat adolescents with anti-social behavior and substance abuse disorders. Adolescent group homes typically utilize a therapeutic community model with level systems of rewards and increased responsibilities and privileges. The program is highly structured, with time allocated for chores and other responsibilities, school, group activities, individual and group counseling, meals, and formal and informal interaction with peers and staff members. The use of the community as therapist and teacher results in multiple interventions that occur in all these activities.
Education
Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility recognizes that school is a major challenge for abused, emotionally-troubled,or at-risk youth due to poor academic performance or behavioral problems. School attendance is a required part of our program. Whenever possible, our residents are enrolled in a traditional public school, but we also recommendCommunity Day Schools or educational options for thosechildren with special needs.Options and information regarding higher education, tradeschools, or military service are shared with each resident,and special arrangements are made for each child who expresses interest in pursuing any of her short-term or long-term educational or career goals.
Our educational services include:
- Tutoring
- Access to public libraries
- Assistance in pursuing college or other post-high school training
- Educational enrichment activities
- Access to books, encyclopedias, and periodicals within the living facilities
Supervision
Dimondale housing facilities are closely supervised by qualified Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility staff members. We have licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and marriage, family and child counselors that provide services to our residents. Each home houses six adolescents and is staffed by a Facility Supervisor and Direct Care Workers. The ratio is three to one in each home to ensure individual and purposeful specific innovative interventions. Each home abides by the policies and procedures of Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility.
Counseling
Our residents currently receive a variety of therapeutic services, each tailored to the child’s individual needs. Psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral therapies are just a few types of therapy residents receive. The therapeutic services are offered to the youth with the objective of helping youth develop relationships, learn appropriate ways to express feelings, learn effective problem-solving strategies, and learn how to function adaptively within a social environment.
Responsibility
Dimondale focuses on teaching our youth how to bear responsibility for his or her own successful life outcome. We focus on helping our youth progress towards self-sufficiency. This includes becoming responsible for the activities of daily living: school attendance, homework and assignment completion, personal hygiene, chore completion, respect for staff and peers, attitude and social interaction. While these life skills may seem basic or self-evident, many of the youth in our care continue to need instruction and encouragement in these areas.
Mentoring
The Girl Talk Leadership Program (GTLP) aims to empower at-risk middle and high school age girls to become leaders by combining the benefits of one-on-one mentoring with targeted group activities for one to two years. During this period, these girls participate in once-weekly group meetings with “big sisters” to address issues related to girls’ sense of self, scholastic achievement, body image, social aggression, and healthy decision making. Each pair also meets individually each week to develop their personal relationship. Pairs also communicate weekly by phone, e-mail, text message, and online chat. During one-on-one time they participate in mutually agreed-upon activities such as studying, trips to the mall, and attending cultural events. Dimondale has partnered with beauty salon operators and patrons to recruit and screen program mentors.. During this period, these girls participate in once-weekly group meetings with “big sisters” to address issues related to girls’ sense of self, scholastic achievement, body image, socia laggression, and healthy decision making. Each pair also meets individually each week to develop their personal relationship. Pairs also communicate weekly by phone, e-mail, text message, and online chat. During one-on-one time they participate in mutually agreed-upon activities such as studying, trips to the mall, and attending cultural events. Dimondale has partnered with beauty salon operators and patrons to recruit and screen program mentors.
Recreation / Leisure
Through our recreation and leisure activities we seek opportunities to enrich and enhance the awareness of our residents through sporting, cultural, educational, entertainment, recreational, and spiritual events. The residents also volunteer for various community service projects. The girls and boys participate in the Grandparent program in which they serve the local convalescent/retirement homes. The girls and boys also participate in the local Earth Day Community Program. Our efforts and involvement with these activities our youth are able to connect with their communities. The volunteering will also provide with the opportunity to make a change and give back to their communities through their service.