NCJ Number
88318
Date Published
1982
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The primary objective of Florida's Juvenile Retarded Offender Program is the delivery of services that will reduce residents' maladaptive behavior to a level appropriate for semi-independent or independent living while increasing their level and variety of adaptive functioning.
Abstract
Eligibility criteria for this secure residential program include mild to moderate retardation, commission of first-degree misdemeanors or felonies, and determination that the youth is a danger to self or others. Upon admission to the program and during the first 2 weeks, residents undergo a second more intense diagnosis to identify specific problems. After 2 weeks, an interdisciplinary team of professional and direct-care staff formulates a habilitation plan comprised of evaluation statements and individual long-term goals. An individualized treatment plan is devised that includes short-term objectives leading to habilitation plan goals, a description of the procedure or program to be implemented, specification of staff activities arranged to measure the effectiveness of resident programs in achieving these objectives, assignment of responsibility for delivery of specific services, and a time frame for achieving stated objectives. Maladaptive programming to reduce dangerous behaviors is rooted in a token economy, and adaptive training occurs in those areas where residents have the most deficiencies, such as social skills, vocational skills, academic skills, and community living skills. To a lesser extent, there is programming in personal hygiene, recreation, and constructive use of personal leisure time. Upon successful completion of the program, residents may be transferred to a group home yet to be developed, so as to afford a less restrictive opportunity for clients to test the degree to which improvement has occurred while applying the skills and knowledge acquired.