NCJ Number
240240
Date Published
October 2012
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This report examines the James and Charlene Balcom Learning Center (BLC), a residential education facility for Arkansas youth.
Abstract
The BLC opened in 2007 as an alternative learning environment. The center is housed within Children's Homes, Inc., a residential education facility for Arkansas youth in the Greene County Tech School District who are dependent, neglected, or at risk. Children's Homes and BLC are faith-based programs that seek to provide a family environment in an effort to restore the disrupted lives of children and families. The opening of BLC provided Children's Homes the capacity to double the number of students served academically. When students enter the residential facility, they go through three phases: receiving, intermediate, and transitional living. These phases help students slowly hold themselves accountable and gain skills needed to transition to a high school, fulltime employment, college, or a vocational training program. To help students develop these skills and move through each of the phases toward transitional living, BLC and the residential campus implement a behavior management system, Character Climb, which develops seven positive character traits and includes family responsibilities, respect for authority, and school. Topics discussed include: supporting academics, providing enrichment activities, building community and family relationships, goals and outcomes, and challenges and future outlook. 1 table