Services provided by Eckerd at a facility in Boomer and elsewhere as a result of changes in the state juvenile justice system are achieving better outcomes for youths and their families at lower costs, according to an N.C. Department of Public Safety (DPS) report.

The report is based on the department’s annual evaluation of community programs for adjudicated youths, which means they were found guilty of juvenile offenses. The report was released in March. It found that Eckerd’s Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential programs in Boomer and Candor and Eckerd’s Community Based Services achieved better than expected overall outcomes.

The report said Eckerd’s Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential programs, which operates in Boomer and Candor, were the most cost-effective of all residential programs for adjudicated youths in the state.

Eighty percent of youths in the programs at Boomer and Candor demonstrated measurable social skill gains upon completion and 82 percent of them had no new law violations six-months after completion.

There currently are 28 male youths ages 13-17 from Durham westward in the program at Boomer. The program at Candor serves males the same age who are from east of Durham.

The evaluation found that during its first year of operations,

The evaluation found that Eckerd’s Community Based Services, the other new program, served youths in their home communities at about 1/12th the expense of the former strategy of placing them in youth development centers. Students continue living in their homes in the Community Based Services program.

The report said that six months after being discharged from the new community-based services program, 98 percent of youths were enrolled and participating in an educational or vocational program or were gainfully employed and 89 percent of youths had no new law violations.

“Last year, the department unveiled a new approach that combined evidence-based practices with shorter residential lengths of stay and more intensive community-based services that are family-focused and delivered in the youth’s home community,” said William Lassiter, DPS director of community programs.

“Eckerd transformed along with the department, and the results are really paying off. As the report validates, Eckerd’s community programs are experiencing better than anticipated outcomes for juvenile justice youth and their families to include fewer repeat offenses – and all at a cost savings to the department, and ultimately the citizens of North Carolina.”

Under the new approach, Eckerd was contracted by the DPS to provide two new evidence-based program models.

The new Eckerd Community Based Services are family-focused, evidence-based juvenile justice dispositional alternatives that serve youths and their families in the Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lumberton, and Raleigh areas.

After nearly a year of dormancy, the 600-acre Eckerd property in Boomer was reopened in early 2012 as a short-term juvenile justice residential facility with staff trained to provide counseling and teaching for youths with behavioral problems. Eckerd also operates a similar campus in Candor.

Youths stay in the new short-term residential program three to four months, compared to an average of 10-12 months in the prior therapeutic “wilderness camp” program that operated for about 10 years before the Department of Public Safety/ Division of Juvenile Justice transformed its juvenile justice system of care.

Youths stay in dorm-like facilities in the new program, compared to rustic, open-sided shelters with heaters in the wilderness camp.

“The new program is designed to address each youth’s behavioral challenges through a strength-based approach with evidence-based practices,” stated Eckerd literature. Services include individualized treatment and academic plans using formal and experiential education, vocational education, community service, behavioral health and family counseling in a non-punitive environment.

Specific features include a “Forward Thinking” interactive journal program, social skills and life skills training, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, community service work and individual, group and family counseling.

The wilderness program at Boomer typically had about 60 male and female participants ages 10 to 17. When at full capacity, the new program in Boomer will be licensed for 36 male youths ages 13 to 17. Only adjudicated youths participate in the new program in Boomer.

Both level I and II offenders were accepted at the wilderness camp, but the new program is only for level II juvenile offenders.

Eckerd currently employs over 40 staff members at its Boomer campus.

]]> http://www.eckerd.org/blog/2013/05/03/report-hails-new-eckerd-programs/feed/ 0 http://www.eckerd.org/blog/2013/04/29/eckerd-the-first-name-in-second-chances/ http://www.eckerd.org/blog/2013/04/29/eckerd-the-first-name-in-second-chances/#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:53:46 +0000 JMorales http://www.eckerd.org/?p=5390 read more read more]]> April 29, 2013
Spacecoast Business Magazine
Posted Story>>

Few traumas can compare to the trauma a child faces when he or she is removed from his or her biological family. But for hundreds of kids each year in Brevard County, there is no other choice for the child’s safety. With the right help and support, however, many of these children and their families can overcome their problems and restore a sense of hope in their lives.

Locally, Eckerd helps maintain child safety and mend loving and nurturing families through critical child abuse prevention, family visitation and parental coaching services. By keeping children safe and connected to their families while providing parents and caregivers the skills, training and resources they need, Eckerd is helping to restore the most important component of our society – the family unit.

These services are supported through collaboration, partnerships and community involvement. The team at Eckerd understands the vital role of community and business leaders to invest in the children and families on the Space Coast, and the organization honors those individuals who engage in corporate social responsibility at its signature event, the Brevard Walk of Fame.

At the 2013 Brevard Walk of Fame, which was held on March 9, hundreds of feet of red carpet welcomed guests in celebrity style. This year’s black-tie gala hosted over 300 of Brevard County’s most prominent and influential community leaders and celebrities who filled the Space Coast Convention Center in Cocoa to celebrate the induction of the honorees. This year’s honorees were: U.S. Senator Bill Nelson; Community Credit Union president, David Brock; Space Florida president & CEO, Frank DiBello; SpaceX president, Gwynne Shotwell; LEAD Brevard president & CEO, Kristin Bakke; former NFL & Pro-Bowl fullback, Leonard Weaver; former president of Brevard Community College, Maxwell King; Bright House Networks VP of Operations & GM, Paul Hanson; Genesis VII president & CEO, Robert Jordan; Canaveral Port Authority CEO, Stan Payne; and Wasdin Associates VP and owner, Susie Wasdin.

Event proceeds raised needed funds for Eckerd to continue to provide critical child abuse services and substance abuse prevention programs in Brevard County. Proceeds also helped support the creation of Eckerd’s Raising Hope Resource Center, expected to open in the fall of 2013.

As children helped by Eckerd oftentimes only have the clothes on their backs, seldom have a toothbrush and many carry the few belongings they may have in a garbage bag, the Raising Hope Resource Center will provide cheerful, store-like rooms of hope where these children can “shop” for clothes, shoes, PJs, duffel bags, hygiene items and more. It will also host family visitation rooms, a parent training center and kiosks of resources to assist with family needs. The Raising Hope Resource Center does more than meet the emergency needs of abused and neglected children; it also helps them retain their dignity and pride.

For over 45 years, Eckerd has helped over 150,000 youth and their families nationwide receive the second chance they need through a continuum of behavioral health and child welfare programs. To learn more about Eckerd’s services to children and families, visit www.eckerd.org.For information about the Brevard Walk of Fame, visit www.brevardwalkoffame.com.

RALEIGH, NC (April 25, 2013) – A recent report released by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) evaluated juvenile justice community programs across the state and found that services contracted through Eckerd, under North Carolina’s newly-designed juvenile justice system, are achieving better outcomes for youth and their families at lower costs.

The NCDPS’s Annual Evaluation of Community Programs Report released in March 2013 found that during its first year of operations, Eckerd’s Community Based Services “have been able to serve youth in their home communities at approximately 1/12 the expense of placement in a youth development center while achieving better than expected overall outcomes”.  The report found that six-months post-discharge, 98% of youth were enrolled and participating in an educational or vocational program or were gainfully employed and 89% of youth had no new law violations.  Furthermore, Eckerd’s Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential programs were stated to be the most cost-effective of all residential program models in the state with 80% of youth demonstrating measurable social skills gains upon completion and 82% of youth having no new law violations six-months post-discharge.

“Last year, the Department unveiled a new approach that combined evidence-based practices with shorter residential lengths of stay and more intensive community-based services that are family-focused and delivered in the youth’s home community,” said William Lassiter, director of community programs for NCDPS.  “Eckerd transformed along with the Department, and the results are really paying off.  As the report validates, Eckerd’s community programs are experiencing better than anticipated outcomes for juvenile justice youth and their families to include fewer repeat offenses – and all at a cost savings to the Department, and ultimately the citizens of North Carolina.”

Under this new approach, Eckerd was contracted by the Department to provide two new evidence-based community program models. Eckerd’s Community Based Services are family-focused, evidence-based juvenile justice dispositional alternatives that serve male/female youth and their families residing in five North Carolina regions (Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Lumberton, and Raleigh areas).  Eckerd’s Short-Term Juvenile Justice Services are delivered at two former Eckerd camp sites in Boomer and Candor which have been transformed to deliver a complete rehabilitative experience in about 90 days to adjudicated males ages 13 to 17 and with services that feature promising, evidence-based practices and a strong family transition component.

“The continued partnership between Eckerd and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety is making a profound impact on the youth and families being served by both organizations in this partnership,” added Eckerd COO Will Jones.  “Our focus on quality and utilization of evidence based practices has led to programmatic outcomes that we can all be proud of and that allow each child we work with to have an opportunity to succeed in life.”

I am proud to present the 2013 DJJ Youth Success Ambassadors. These teens participated in DJJ prevention, diversion, day treatment and/or residential programs and have overcome adversity or poor choices to stand forth as examples of the success our at-risk and troubled youth are capable of attaining.

They have shared their experiences and plans with me and, as I imagine their future achievements, I predict they will continue to rise to and surpass the goals they have set for themselves. If we could look 20 years into the future, what would we see from these strong, energetic young people?  Let’s imagine who they might be in 2033.

As a teen, Dennis Patton was arrested and sent to Eckerd Youth Challenge. With Eckerd’s help, he turned his life around.

Imagine him in 2033. He owns a custom semitrailer and loves the traveling he does as an independent, long-haul truck driver. As he pulls into a rest area, he sees a teen hitchhiking. He calls the kid over and strikes up a conversation. Over a snack he buys for the hungry kid, they talk. The teen’s bravado and glibness give way, and the boy tells the trucker about his recent troubles. Dennis can plainly see the shame of the boy’s bad choices and a yearning to be reconciled to his family. Listening and reflecting, he makes up his mind to help. He pulls out his cell phone and starts making calls to family, friends — the kid’s and his own. If necessary, he will contact the authorities; he will find someone to help this kid. He knows where the teen’s path can lead, and he remembers the people who helped him find his way. Payback feels good.

Kiara Warren had a baby at age 13, but got back on track with help from Prodigy Cultural Arts Program. She plans to become an ultrasound technician.

Imagine Kiara 20 years from now. She is an ultra sound technician at Orlando Regional Medical Center, and she has continued to set goals for herself. She is preparing in spring of 2033 to graduate from the University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing.  Returning to nursing school part-time with a family to care for wasn’t easy because her family takes center stage in her life. She was inspired by her eldest son, who will finish medical school next year, and she couldn’t be prouder.

Christopher Casanovas got in trouble as a teen until the Home Builders Institute gave him an opportunity to gain employment skills, building his confidence and giving him a sense of purpose.

Imagine him in 2033 He is the most successful electrical contractor in Boca Raton. His company has gained a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. He employs 40 full-time and two part-time employees. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored dozens of young men through “A Stand Up Man” and coached hundreds of boys in little league football in Tamarac. He is a source of strength for his family, and a pillar of his community.

Daniel Lugo was always a good student. As a teen, he was active in the University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) Prodigy Arts Program, which helped him stay positive.

Imagine him in 2033 He is a husband, father, Hillsborough County commissioner and the owner of an internet business. Service to his community is enormously important to him, so he continues to volunteer with his alma mater, Alonso High School, and is especially proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the UACDC.

Today’s investment in youth will benefit all of us in time.

DJJ is committed to helping kids avoid or correct youthful mistakes and placing them on the path to a brighter future.  I encourage you to join DJJ offices, partners and providers as they host celebrations and activities throughout the state this week.  Our DJJ Youth Success Day motto reminds us that we are all “Part of the Community, Part of the Solution” to juvenile delinquency.  With help, all DJJ youth can achieve success!

I am proud to present the 2013 DJJ Youth Success Ambassadors. These teens participated in DJJ prevention, diversion, day treatment and/or residential programs and have overcome adversity or poor choices to stand forth as examples of the success our at-risk and troubled youth are capable of attaining.

They have shared their experiences and plans with me and, as I imagine their future achievements, I predict they will continue to rise to and surpass the goals they have set for themselves. If we could look 20 years into the future, what would we see from these strong, energetic young people? Let’s imagine who they might be in 2033…

As a teen, Dennis Patton was arrested and sent to Eckerd Youth Challenge. With Eckerd’s help, he turned his life around. Now he owns a custom semitrailer and loves the traveling he does as an independent, long-haul truck driver. As he pulls into a rest area, he sees a teen hitchhiking. He calls the kid over and strikes up a conversation. Over a snack he buys for the hungry kid, they talk. The teen’s bravado and glibness give way, and the boy tells the trucker about his recent troubles. Dennis can plainly see the shame of the boy’s bad choices and a yearning to be reconciled to his family. Listening and reflecting, he makes up his mind to help. He pulls out his cell phone and starts making calls to family, friends — the kid’s and his own. If necessary, he will contact the authorities; he will find someone to help this kid. He has been there. He knows where the teen’s path can lead, and he remembers the people who helped him find his way. Payback feels good.

Kiara Warren had a baby at age 13, but got back on track with help from Prodigy Cultural Arts Program. Now, she is an ultra sound technician at Orlando Regional Medical Center, but this spring she graduates from the University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing. Returning to nursing school part-time with a family to care for wasn’t easy, but her family takes center stage in her life. She was inspired by her eldest son, who will finish medical school next year, and she couldn’t be prouder. Imagine — her son, a pediatrician.

Christopher Casanovas got in a lot of trouble as a teen until the Home Builders Institute gave him an opportunity to gain valuable employment skills, building his confidence and giving him a sense of purpose. He is now the most successful electrical contractor in Boca Raton. His company has gained a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. He employs 40 full-time and two part-time employees. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored dozens of young men through “A Stand Up Man” and coached hundreds of boys in little league football in Tamarack. He is a source of strength for his family, and a pillar of his community.

Danny Lugo was always a good student. As a husband, father, Hillsborough County commissioner and the owner of an internet business, he stays busy. Service to his community is enormously important to him, so he continues to volunteer with his alma mater, Alonso High School, and is especially proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC). As a teen, he was active in the UACDC’s Prodigy Arts Program, which helped him stay positive.

Today’s investment in youth will benefit all of us in time. DJJ is committed to helping kids avoid or correct youthful mistakes and placing them on the path to a brighter future.

I encourage you to join DJJ offices, partners and providers as they host celebrations and activities throughout the state this week. Our DJJ Youth Success Day motto reminds us that we are all “Part of the Community, Part of the Solution” to juvenile delinquency. With our help, all DJJ youth can achieve!

Motorcycle riders will get a chance to meet NASCAR legend Geoff Bodine while benefiting at-risk children and families on Saturday, April 6.

According to April Putzulu, Communications Director, Eckerd’s first “Second Chance Motorcycle Run” will be North Carolina’s largest statewide charity motorcycle ride. Riders from four different locations; Concord, Greensboro, Lumberton and Waynesville will ride to the Rockingham Speedway where they will be greeted by Bodine.

Bodine is a national ambassador for Eckerd kids and will also be riding in the event. He will be available at the Rockingham Speedway for photos and autographs.

Recently named one of “NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers” during NASCAR’s 50th anniversary celebration, Bodine will begin his ride from the Concord start location and is scheduled to arrive at ‘The Rock’ at around 12:30 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., riders will begin arriving at the speedway. At 1 p.m. Bodine will be available for photographs, autographs and interviews and at 1:30 p.m., there will be a program that will include an overview about Eckerd’s charity, awards and prizes.

Once riders arrive at the speedway, they will be welcomed with food, blue grass and country music, a 50/50 raffle, a cake walk and prizes.

Putzulu said that all donations go towards Eckerd’s programs and “… people should participate if they are interested in helping children and families.”

Pre-registration for the event is $25, registration on the day of the event is $35 and there is a fee of $10 for additional passengers.

Putzulu said if someone does not wish to participate in the motorcycle ride, they can still go to the speedway to meet Bodine and participate in the event without paying an entry fee. “There will be a 50/50 raffle and other opportunities to donate to Eckerd,” she said.

Eckerd is a national nonprofit organization that has given much-needed second chances to more than 150,000 children and families since its founding by Jack and Ruth Eckerd in 1968. Eckerd provides a full continuum of life-changing behavioral health and child welfare programs and services throughout North Carolina and in five other states.

The Rockingham Speedway is located at 2152 North U.S. Highway 1, Rockingham. For more information about the start locations, visit www.eckerd.org.

The Department of Children and Families says there are too many children in need of foster care in the Tampa Bay area.  Now, it’s focusing on a program to encourage more foster parents.

For more than 15 years, John and Annette Rivera have provided needy children with a home – a home where they provide love, affection and attention.

“We love helping them out. We love being able to be there for them,” said Mr. Rivera.

“One of the reasons for being a foster parent was that I didn’t have any children of my own.  And this was a way for me, I guess, of fulfilling that motherhood – and I love it!” added Mrs. Rivera.

The Rivera’s currently care for 3 foster brothers, in addition to the children they’ve already adopted.

“We have two girls which we fostered since babies, and the situation ended up being that we adopted them because we didn’t want them to go to a strange family.”

The Department of Children and Families needs more families like the Rivera’s, and has a new program to encourage others to sign up.

“Each One Reach One is our initiative locally to bring what we have ongoing statewide called Fostering Florida’s Future,” said DCF regional managing director Mike Carroll.  “It really is designed to recruit additional foster parents.”

Child welfare advocates tell us that parental substance abuse accounts for over 80% of the child abuse cases in which children have to be removed from their homes.  Right now, there are more than 3,000 kids in foster care and almost half need a family – like the Rivera’s –who consider their foster children their children forever.

DCF workers told us they have about nine children each day that end up in their care.  For more information about becoming a foster parent log onto FosteringTampaBay.org.

Want to see babies dressed up cute while supporting a good cause?

Eckerd Adolescent Parenting Program of Rockingham is hosting a Toddler Fashion Show and Donation Drive to help the young parents of Richmond County. The fashion show will take place April 11 at 6 p.m. at Leak Street High School, former Ashley Chapel School, at 377 Mizpah Road, Rockingham.

According to the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Richmond County ranks number 1 out of 100 counties in repeat teen pregnancy. These numbers are based on data from 2011.

“This program (Eckerd) is designed to help increase the graduation rate for young parents and decrease the number of teenage pregnancies or repeated pregnancies through education and support,” said Jacqueline Ellerbe-Shannon, adolescent parenting coordinator. “We have to try to find a way to help students stay in school. Child care is a big issue so they may not find someone to watch their children all day. If they have no education, they have no job. So they stay home and engage in sexual activity. We have to find child care dollars for the teens to be able to stay in school.”

In order for the community to support the teens, a donation drive will accompany the toddler fashion show. Although no items will be turned down, items needed are books for children so that parents may read to them, self-help books for teen parents, educational toys for children ages 0-5, as well as clothes, diapers or wipes. High chairs, strollers, bouncers, car seats, booster seats, activity gyms and walkers are also sought.

An entree fee of $3 will be accepted as a donation to the program for those who come to the toddler fashion show. The proceeds go to fund a social outing for teen parents and their children, which will be to the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro.

“I just want them to not worry for one day about anything,” said Ellerbe-Shannon. “We’ll charter a bus and provide lunch.”

In order to qualify for the program, students must attend school daily and attend group meetings when possible. Ellerbe-Shannon said there are currently 16 students in the program, with the youngest being 15 years old. The students meet at Leak Street School in the Ashley Chapel community. According to Ellerbe-Shannon, this is the second year of the program.

For the fashion show, children will range from ages 0-3 years old, and will wear casual wear and dress clothes. The fashion show is open to any teen and their child for participation.

RIVERVIEW, FL – El Departamento de Niños y Familias  presentó una campaña que tiene como objetivo incrementar el número de hogares temporales en la Bahía de Tampa.

“Tenemos más de 3,000 niños que están bajo el cuidado del Departamento de Niños y Familias. Sólo 1,600 de ellos están con padres adoptivos temporales”, dijo Mike Carroll, Director Regional de DCF.

John y Anette Rivera son padres adoptivos que llevan más de 15 años brindándoles a niños desamparados un hogar donde dicen que el amor, el cariño y la atención abundan. En la actualidad, ellos tienen bajo custodia a 3 hermanitos. Además adoptaron a dos niñas.

“Nosotros somos los padres para ellos. Nos llaman mami y papi. Y nos quieren como sus propios padres”, dijo Anette Rivera.

“Hay que ayudar a estos niños. Ellos son el futuro”, expresó John Rivera.

De acuerdo a estadísticas, diariamente 9 niños caen bajo la custodia de DCF. El departamento dice que no es seguro dejarlos con sus padres biológicos.

Según expertos más del 80 por ciento de padres de familias abusan de sustancias controladas. Esta triste realidad es lo que lleva que miles de niños sean removidos de sus hogares.

El secretario del departamento hizo un llamado a nivel estatal para que añadiera a 1,200 nuevos padres adoptivos temporales en 12 meses.

Para más información, solo tiene que visitar la oficina de su región del Departmento de Niños y Familias