Fresno CountyElkhorn Correctional Facility

Aggression Replacement Training

Elkhorn Correctional Facility is a Juvenile Boot Camp located in the rural area of Fresno County.

We house minors ranging from the ages of 14 – 18 years old.

Elkhorn is made up of two programs:- Boot Camp 6 months minimum- Delta 9 months minimum* Both programs have a max period of

confinement not to exceed 365 days.

These programs are achievement based, and progressing through them is contingent on positive behavior and personal performance.

The type of minors that are housed at Elkhorn are considered to be High Risk Youth. This would include:

- Misdemeanor and Felony offenders- Minors with Multiple Sustained

Petitions- WIC 707B Offenders

These minors come from many different backgrounds which include:

- Gang Involvement- Out of Home Placement- Personal and/or Parental Drug Abuse- Mild to Severe Learning Disabilities- Little to no Academic Success- History of Physical and Psychological Abuse- History of anti-social and violent behavior- Habitual criminal activity

It is the purpose of Elkhorn to provide structure and discipline. To help our minors redirect themselves in a positive manner that will help lead them to success. To show them another way of thinking and living, contrary to what they have become accustom. We do this by providing them with a sense of self-worth, a respect for others, and the desire to set and achieve positive goals that would help to better their lives.

Elkhorn Program Elkhorn is a program that is made up of

several agencies; Fresno County Probation, Violet Heintz Educational Academy, Fresno County Mental Health, Economic Opportunity Commission, California Youth Outreach.

It is the combined efforts by all parties involved that enables us to extend the opportunity of success to our minors.

T.A.C. Officer

TAC stands for Teach, Advise, and Counsel. The TAC Officer first provides a safe secure environment and also teaches structure and discipline to the minors in the Boot Camp. TAC Officers oversee and track the individual progress of each minor. They are responsible for redirecting negative behavior and helping the minors to make a positive change.

Cadet Manual At Elkhorn our minors have some

guidelines to help govern their behavior:- Code of Conduct- Code of Ethics- General Orders

These are found in their Cadet Manual. All minors are given a Cadet Manual and are expected to memorize and adhere to these guidelines. Not adhering to these guidelines could result in discipline.

Code of Conduct Cadets give respect to earn respect. Cadets are always truthful. Cadets are responsible for their own actions. Cadets do the best in all they do. Cadets do the RIGHT thing the RIGHT way. Cadets think positively. Cadets are team players and help others. Cadets pay attention to detail. Cadets respect their home and pick up trash

wherever they are to keep it clean. Cadets accept correction because “through

correction comes improvement.”

Code of Ethics The word CAN’T is not in my vocabulary, I will

always try. There is no end to my potential. I can

accomplish anything. The only way to win is to never quit. Life is facing one challenge after another,

and I will face them all with pride. Life is too short to waste, so I will not lie,

cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Leadership is the key to success, therefore I

shall lead to succeed.

General Orders I will follow all rules at Boot Camp, at home, and in

the community. I will obey all court orders. I will follow all instructions given by TAC Officers

and staff. I will turn in all contraband when found. I will speak positively, without the use of

profanity. I will not use threats or harm or violence against

others. I will respect the person and property of others. I will keep my hands to myself. I will not participate in or tolerate any gang

related activity. I will follow the chain of command.

Violet Heintz Educational Academy Encourages minors to obtain their High

School Diploma or GED. Offers accelerated courses for those close to

obtaining their Diploma. Offers Out Reach classes to help low

functioning minors in Math and Reading. Helps minors to prepare for College. Offers college scholarships to high school

graduates. Encourages minors to further their education

by offering online college courses. Offers Vocational Culinary Arts Course.

Mental Health Mental Health staff at Elkhorn offer our minors 1

on 1 counseling sessions for various reasons, such as;

- Family Problems- Suicidal ideation/gestures- Personal conflict with other minors or staff

They participate in creating case plans for minor when they first enter the program and again when they leave to our aftercare program.

They also assist Probation Staff with Intervention and Board Review meetings.

California Youth Outreach

Works primarily with the minors in our facility to prepare them for their promotion to our Aftercare Program.

They help by recommending our minors to different agencies that would assist them with their particular needs.

CYO is now providing Parenting and Gang Redirection Classes.

Economic Opportunity Commission

Provides assistance in different areas of our program such as:- Drug and Alcohol awareness / counseling

- Vocational courses in Construction / Welding- Job readiness training and Job Placement- Placement in Transitional Living Centers when needed

- Bi-weekly AA/NA Meetings

In the year of 2006 Fresno County’s Mental Health Dept. faced some severe budget issues which resulted in E.C.F. losing 3 of our 4 Mental Health workers.

With the ratio of 1 Mental Health worker to 160 – 180 minors, there was something that needed to be done to deal with lack of mental health based programs provided to our minors.

Given the situation our Chief Probation Officer decided to utilize our staff to try and meet some of the needs that were not being addressed.

This is when A.R.T. was introduced to E.C.F.

In the spring of 2006, 7 Juvenile Correctional Officers attended the initial A.R.T. training.

Having been trained to work in the role of a “Drill Sergeant”, it was a challenge for some Officers to integrate A.R.T. into the everyday “boot camp” mentality and way of life.

The A.R.T. curriculum was introduced to E.C.F. cadets in the summer of 2006.

We first targeted our more serious and habitual offenders (707 B) that were housed in Delta Barracks.

After we learning how to successfully merge A.R.T. into E.C.F. we then expanded it into our remaining three barracks.

Although at first skeptical, our Officers now see the benefits and success that A.R.T. has had with our minors.

Our Officers are now equip with another tool to help our minors achieve the goal of redirecting their lives in a positive manner and becoming more successful.

In the 16+ months that A.R.T. has been a part of E.C.F. program - 87 minors have been enrolled in the ten week course. With only 5 of them having to be removed from our program due to problematic behavior.

We currently have 56 minors enrolled in groups.

Data collected from our Skill Streaming groups have shown a significant change in pro-social skills.

- Staff have reported a 26% improvement - Minors have reported a 17% improvement

After reviewing the satisfaction questionnaire of all three Anger Control, Moral Reasoning, and Skill Streaming groups a rating of Moderate to High levels of satisfaction have been reported.

A.R.T. Incentive Program Thanks to the shared ideas from staff in other

counties, the idea of an Incentive Program was presented to our Officers.

When have now integrated this idea into our A.R.T. groups.

Minors are now able to earn points based on Behavior, Participation, and Homework.

They use these points to later buy snacks along with various hygiene items such as: Toothbrushes, Deodorant, Lotions, Soap, etc….

The goal of Elkhorn Correctional Facility is to have all minors that are committed to our program have the chance to participate in and successfully graduate A.R.T.

A.R.T. Certificate Of Completion

Pieces to the Puzzle Probation / TAC Officer

- Provide guidance and structure C.Y.O. / E.O.C.

- Gang Redirection

- Job employment training

V.H.E.A.- Provide education and

vocational training

Mental Health- Provides crisis intervention

and one on one counseling

A.R.T.- Skillstreaming, Anger Control,

Moral Reasoning

C. Y. O.

ProbationV.H.E.A.

A.R.T.MENTAL

HEALTH

E.O.C.TAC Officer

A.R.T. has become another piece of our program that has helped us to give guidance and direction to the minors that enter our gates. Better equipping them with the knowledge needed to become successful in all aspects of life.