6/2002 Copyright Edwin L. Young, PhD 1

The Harris County Youth VillageHome of

*Stars and Stripes*A Natural Systems Program

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The Five Sections Of Our Presentation

1. Introduction to the Harris County Youth Village campus and the Stars and Stripes program

2. Contrasting the Stars and Stripes program with traditional programs

3. Institutional Performance Measures of the Stars and Stripes Program

4. The nucleus of the Stars and Stripes program is the progression through the ranks

5. The prospects for transplanting the Stars and Stripes program to other jurisdictions

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I. A Brief Introduction and Tour Of The Harris County Youth Village

• Entrance to the Campus with views of the grounds and buildings

• School teachers and representative classes

• Academic facilities and program

• Vocational program apprenticeships and certifications

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Description of the Characteristics of the Harris County Youth Village

• Average Daily Population: 119• Average Length of Stay: 3.9 months• Number of Youths in Program Per Year: 392• Percentage of Juvenile:

– Felons 54 %– Misdemeanants 46 %

• Cost per Bed per day $69.50• Annual Cost per Youth per Year $25,367• Percentage of Recidivists (new offenses) 16%• Only 6% on Psychiatric Medications

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Entering the Campus You Are Welcomed with the NASA Apollo Space Capsule

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Side View of East Campus Dorms

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Side View of Dorm with Gym in the Background

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NO FENCES – NO AWOLS

1. The majority of residents are juvenile felons with an average age of approximately sixteen years of age.

2. Youths pass to and from classes, gym, etc., on outdoor walkways, perform outside work details, and play outdoor sports with minimum supervision and with no fences on the 42 acre campus.

3. There have been 5 total runaways for all of the years since 1995, after Stars and Stripes was first inaugurated.

4. In the one year before the Stars and Stripes program, there were over 60 runaways.

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Walkway From Gym To Main Building

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Happy Stars and Stripes Staff

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HCYV – “Stars and Stripes” Managers

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Playing Field

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Training and Programs Building

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The Brown School at HCYV

• The School is provided by an outside contractor who has bought into the “Stars and Stripes” concept and program.

• The teachers and vocational instructors and their programs are completely integrated into the “Stars and Stripes” program.

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Happy Teaching Staff

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The Teachers Have Good Reason To Be Happy

1. In the past 3 years, 192 residents have received their GED’s

2. Recent 2001-2002 TASS test results were:

Writing Math Reading

100% 60% 84.6%

3. Many students gain as many as three grade levels during their stay

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Positive Atmosphere In Classes

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A Greenhorn ‘Asks’ His Community Volunteer to Tutor Him

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Self-Paced, Computer Assisted Instruction Lab

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How Computers Figure in the Education Process

Computer Room1. The size of the average computer lab class is seventeen. There are two computer labs.

Each student goes to a computer lab at least once a day. All other classes are taught in a traditional manner, nevertheless, they each have a computer in their classroom.

2. At a computer each student takes diagnostic tests in reading and math. The tests range from basic skills to advanced skills. The student understands that he cannot pass or fail the test, but that it will show him and the school his appropriate instructional level.

3. Each student then completes his assignments at his instructional level, not too easy—not too hard. Frustration is kept to a minimum while self-esteem is enhanced due to the success of academic achievement. Headphones are provided so that students can concentrate on their own interactive lessons at the computer and not be distracted by other noises. This also cuts down on comparisons between neighboring students’ levels of work.

4. Special Ed and ELL groups are included in the Regular Ed groups in the computer lab. Because they are not being singled out because of their disabilities, these included groups become more motivated while working alongside the regular students. Class size averages 13 students.

5. At times students may work in small groups, helping each other with assignments. These learning groups teach cooperation and problem solving and promote responsibility.

6. At the end of every six weeks period students who have been in class for at least three of the six weeks are eligible for a class prize. A student from each of the eight groups with the highest grade and good behavior will receive a treat.

7. Most of these students have never had any kind of reward for doing what is right or just being a “good kid”. Even little rewards, along with positive attention have resulted in more positive behavior and better school work habits for the majority of our population.

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The Vocational Programs

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Plumbing and Electrical Trades

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Plumbing and Electrical Tool room

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Plumbing and Electrical Class Project

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Plumbing Project

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Tile and Design

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Student-designed Tile Project

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A Questionable Benefit!

• One resident, who had become quite an expert at laying tile in his first month, earned a weekend Home Visit.When he returned his Caseworker asked how his Home Visit went?

• The youth answered, “I guess my Dad thought it was great. He got new tile laid on his kitchen floor for free!”

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Automotive Mechanics

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Auto Mechanics Class

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Auto Mechanics Shop Projects

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Computer Repair and Construction Classcreated and taught by two Institutional Officers

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You have just viewed a snapshot of a happy and successful

juvenile correctional institution.