YOUTH CHALLENGE - PROGRAM OUTLINE

According to research on group dynamics and group formation, there are two very important factors in determining the group’s success.

First is the optimum group size. Ideally, a group functions best with a number of participants ranging from six to twelve. It is not only more manageable, but disclosure, cooperation, trust and productivity have proven to be more likely to take place in groups this size.

Second is the group formation process. There is a logical, predictable sequence of group formation that takes place where group members move from scattered agendas to single mindedness with group purposes and agendas. This “gelling” has been termed “forming, norming, storming, and performing.”

With these two determining factors in mind, consider the general outline of how the Youth Challenge program will work.

Mandatory Orientation Meeting - the day of admission for parents and potential residents. During this meeting the Clinical Manager and the Direct Care Manager will explain the expectations of Youth Challenge to residents and their parents and secure any missing information and gather any required signatures, Physicals, names of mentors, school records, psychological screenings and releases will be due at this time.

Pre-Challenge (do or Die) Phase - first two weeks of the program. During this phase, nine to twelve residents will be expected to learn necessary drilling, nomenclature, memorization, and behavioral norms that will set the pace for the rest of the program. If a resident is not able to conform, he may referred back to the courts for other options. This is the forming phase of the program.

" Youth Challenge offers you a training and education experience you will never forget."

Challenge (Training) Phase - the second phase of the program. During this phase, residents begin working on their life plan, which will be the centerpiece of their counseling and aftercare. Staff begins connecting the disciplines of training to the process of life change while in aftercare and how resident’s can use those disciplines to implement their life plan. Drilling, physical training, memory work, academics and disclosure continue during this phase. At the end of this phase, residents can either be recycled of referred back to the court system. This is the norming phase of the program.

Eagle (Leadership) Phase - the third phase of the program. During this phase, residents continue working on their life plan, begin making contact with mentors, begin community service projects, engage in high ropes adventures, expeditions and place a great amount of focus on transferring lessons learned at Youth Challenge to pictures and plans for a different life upon discharge. It is this phase that residents are expected to be leaders and may represent Youth Challenge in public, such as color guard presentations, drilling performances ect… At the end of this phase, residents may graduate to the next phase, be recycled or referred back to the court system. This is the storming phase of the program.

Aftercare - Aftercare - is the final phase of the program and will be coordinated with community resources. During this phase, residents will implement their life plan, will be expected to adhere to certain curfews, attend school with minimum disruptions, be drug free, and abide by all laws. Failure to comply would result in either being recycled, referred back to the court system or other creative interventions. This is the performing phase of the program.