Juvenile Probation & Detention
FACE-IT
The FACE-IT (Families and Community Engaged in Treatment) program was restructured and reorganized in 2008. The program is now annexed with the Psychological Services Division and increased training has been emphasized. New initiatives included evidence based programming, restorative justice projects, and increased one on one tutoring. Motivational Interviewing, Thinking for a Change (COG), Seven Challenges, and Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) were also added as intervention techniques in 2008.
FACE-IT provided services for 27 youth and their families in 2008. Out of the 27 participants, 11 were admitted in 2008 while the remaining 16 were admissions from 2007. A total of 26 referrals were received in 2008. The average length of stay remained nine months.
During 2008, FACE-IT continued its partnership with the Center for Psychological Services, LLC to strengthen therapeutic services. Residents continued their participation in bi-weekly individual therapy, weekly family therapy, and daily group therapy. The parents of new admissions engaged in a fourteen-week, multi-family parenting group, with a curriculum designed to increase parenting skills in families with delinquent adolescents. Parents and children also participated in the low ropes course of the Jr’s Challenge. For many participants this experience modeled healthy familial activities and a sense of camaraderie with other families.
Residents participated in the annual volleyball tournament against the Vernon Hills Police Department for the National Night-Out Program, rock climbing at Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin, fishing at Independence Grove, Lake County Forest Preserve, the 2008 FUN RUN, an overnight camping trip to Palasade Park, and canoeing on the Mississippi River. More local recreational outings, such as skating and bowling, continue to be offered to participants under the direction and guidance of the division’s physical education coordinator.
The 12th Annual FACE-IT Graduation in March of 2008 was attended by various community representatives, program volunteers, mentors, family members, staff, and residents. Inspiring and powerful messages were delivered by both Judge David M. Hall and Mr. Thomas P. Powers, Sr. Vice President of Medline Industries, who was the keynote speaker. Each graduate was presented with two gifts: a twenty-five dollar gift card to Border’s Book Store from the Vernon Area Public Library and a six-month membership from the YMCA.
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