Corrections Community

We have started a Rational Behavior Training program at our small juvenile facility (22 residents max).  I am looking for anything that can help us with programing.  We currently use RBT 1, RBT 2, Moral Decision Making and Eight Basic Social Skills.  We have instituted focus groups and have broken them up into groups no bigger then eight residents.  Any information would be helpful and appreciated.

 

Shannon Gimenes

Muskegon County Juvenile Detention Center

Muskegon MI

Shannon:

I just joined this group and your question caught me eye.  In Minnesota many residential and detention programs are using the "Thinking for a Change" curricumlum with much success.

 

Julie Snyder

Mn. DOC licensing

I work for the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center. We used RBT 1 and RBT 2. The problem i've seen is how do you keep things fresh and informative. I have been using RBT material and creating games for the residents. Such as, RBT role-playing and RBT baseball. I also use film clips and sports to analyze irrational behaviors with the residents and have them point out the behaviors to me. If anyone has any more ideas please let me know. Thanks Youth Specialist Tim David Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center

Minnesota detention and residential facilities use many, but "Thinking for A Change" is one of the most popular. It is a 13 week program, but youth can come in and out as they are detained and released. It is based on the criminal thinking philosophy. Julie Snyder Mn DOC

Hey Julie....I have a question for you if you do not mind. How do the Detention Centers use T4C considering it is a closed forum? I mean, do you have youth coming and going in the detention centers and you are able to keep it a closed forum? Thanks..........by the way, I used to be Juvenile Probation Officer for Dakota County back from 1994-1998.

Julie , do you start each child individually, or small cohorts, how do you handle the challange of people commimg and going? thanks, todd oyler

Todd: Certainly, if we were talking about a residential program, the youth would start at the beginning and complete each week of the program. BUT, with detention, our programs just start the youth whereever the group is at in the program when the youth is initially detained and still feel the youth are getting alot out of the program. People will come and go, so the "group" changes, but the information is relevant for all youth, therefore depending on how long they are detained, they can still benefit. Julie

Hi Guys, My name is Kurt Struss. Terry Martinek and I have been traveling presenting the benefits of the RBT program in detention settings. Sounds like you are on your way to implementing RBT and the challenge of keeping it fresh. Mr Martinek is the Asst Director and I am Supervisor and train RBT for the Berrien County Juvenile Center in Berrien Springs, Mi. I think of RBT as 2 parts when used in our settings; RBT itself and the behavior management tools used to make extinct the irrational behaviors. Are you also doing a behavior management piece?

Yes we do use the behavior management tools also. We start with a 5 min. T.O. for minor issues. Then a 30-5 T.O., and 30-30-5. We also have room extension and a program called re-entry for physical assaults. The groups have been going quite well. I also located on the Ellis institute web site a "Lets get rational board game". The game has been received well by the residents and staff. It should not be used everyday. But, for those days where it seems a little stale. It has been a great experience speaking with all of you. Hopefully, we can visit each others facilities with administration approval of course. So far I have been to Lucas Co. in Toledo and St. Clair Co. both of these use RBT. Please continue to write and share ideas.

Hi Tim, A visit would be good, it's nice to get out and around...with approval. Good to hear things are well with you. I may have a lead on some fresh material from our ISD (Intermediate School District). I'll let you know as soon as I know.

I have developed a set of seven worksheets based on thinking reports called Thinking Matters. You can access a copy for free at: www.thinkingmatters.us I have been working with cognitive behavioral programs for about 15 years. Through this time I have noticed that many programs assume offenders to posess basic cognitive skills. Many do not have the basic skills necessary to perform well. Thinking Matters teaches fundamental cognitive skills via a set of work sheets. I developed Thinking Matters to be used in short length of stay situations but it can be expanded if desired. It can be used for open enrollment, colsed enrollment or for individual sessions. It is currently being facilitated in jails, community residential programs, prisons and community based settings. Thinking Matters is written at about a fifth grade level and is appropriate for use with juvenile offenders.

I have developed a set of seven worksheets based on thinking reports called Thinking Matters. You can access a copy for free at: www.thinkingmatters.us I have been working with cognitive behavioral programs for about 15 years. Through this time I have noticed that many programs assume offenders to posess basic cognitive skills. Many do not have the basic skills necessary to perform well. Thinking Matters teaches fundamental cognitive skills via a set of work sheets. I developed Thinking Matters to be used in short length of stay situations but it can be expanded if desired. It can be used for open enrollment, colsed enrollment or for individual sessions. It is currently being facilitated in jails, community residential programs, prisons and community based settings. Thinking Matters is written at about a fifth grade level and is appropriate for use with juvenile offenders.