Bridges Treatment Program at Howard House

34th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

October 2013

About Bridges

Opened in 2004 in a pre-existing open custody facility Residential treatment facility

8 beds treatment, 4 beds respite / emergency care Adolescent males sentenced under the YCJA Reduce re-offending & integrate youth into

communities across Alberta 90 day minimum program commitment, length of stay

based on clinical indicators and legal status 10 week continuous intake curriculum Essential link between custody and full community

outpatient treatment

Target Population

Young male offenders serving open custody or community based sentences

Mental health and / or addictions issues Ages 14 to 19 years (can be older with IRCS) Typical resident

High severity convictions History of non-compliance with community sentences Early onset of substance abuse Issues with emotion management

Eligibility Requirements

Demonstrate need for treatment Demonstrate readiness for treatment

Contemplative or higher on Stages of Change Model Issues with substance abuse and / or mental health

Period of detoxification from substances required Meet community safety criteria

Consideration of offence background Stable and compliant while at EYOC / CYOC

Complete interview Consent to program expectations

Referral and Admission Process

Primarily from young offender centers, probation and court recommendations

Interview youth upon receiving completed referral forms and collateral reports

Ensure understanding of treatment expectations and commitments

Treatment team consults to determine admission Referrals can be made to:

Bridges Treatment Program

Phone (780) 420 – 1497

Fax (780) 426 – 0403

Partnership for Service Delivery

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Alberta Education, Edmonton Public Schools

Teacher, Education Assistant

Alberta Health Services – Addiction and Mental

Health Addictions Counselor, Mental Health Counselor,

Psychiatrist Edmonton John Howard Society

Group Home Director, Program Coordinator, Recreation / Leisure Programmer, Case Workers, Youth Workers

Treatment Goals

To increase protective factors and promote resiliency To decrease risk factors related to addictions, mental

health, and criminal behavior To promote quality of life and healthy level of

functioning in major life areas To facilitate transition into the community To provide alternative choices and healthy activities

Therapeutic Milieu

Staff must Provide high “unconditional positive regard” and discipline Role model and teach pro-social skills Ensure physical and psychological safety Create environment for growth NOT YELL!!

Youth must Be held accountable for behavior Be treated with respect and empathy Be provided opportunities and encouraged to succeed Feel empowered

Approach to Facilitating Change Goal Setting

Goals established in collaboration between youth and treatment team

Holistic Therapy is 24 hours per day with learning in groups

practiced in daily living Reduction in Risk Factors

e.g. Substance use, antisocial behaviors, exposure to violence

Increase in Protective Factors e.g. Success in school, healthy leisure interests, community

supports and transition Collaboration with collateral sources

e.g. Parents, custodial institutions, Young Offender Branch / Probation, Alberta Children and Youth Services, police

Therapeutic Programming

Group & individual counseling Addictions specific treatment Criminal offense specific treatment Mental health specific treatment Education/ vocational training Life skills training Social skills training Recreational and leisure programming Relapse prevention planning Transition planning

Therapeutic Curriculum

Group curriculum designed for 10 week cycle with continuous intake

Awareness development Drug education, high risk situations, coping mechanisms,

crime cycles Skill development

Emotion management, assertiveness, setting boundaries, problem solving, healthy communication, healthy relationships, refusal skills, conflict resolution, leisure and recreation, etc

Transition to aftercare services Addictions and mental health services in home communities,

respite care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Evidence based model for successful offender rehabilitationCompatible with other treatment modalities

Behavioral Modification, Motivational Interviewing, Risk Need Responsivity

Interaction of thoughts and feelings and how this affects behavior:

Our perceptions are constructs of our thoughts and feelings External events do not cause behavior – our thoughts and feelings do. CHOICE!

Gradual shift from external to internal controlsPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE with homework assignments and in groups

Estimated annual cost of detaining a youth in a custodial institution $100,000

Average annual cost of a youth attending The Bridges Treatment Program at Howard House $25,000

All programming in line with current best practices Anecdotal findings from youth, professionals, and parents

show success Demographic and assessment data collected over past 9

years shows improvements via pre-post tests Working to secure finances to hire an independent body

for research at the 10 year mark

Economics

Challenges & Successes

Community safety Collaboration with police and custodial institutions,

understanding everyone`s role and that we`re all on the same side

Working with increasingly violent offences Zero staff assaults and minimal physical aggression

amongst youth since 2004, service provision to 3 IRCS cases

Special needs offenders (FASD diagnosis, ESL needs, immigrant experiences)

Utilization of existing community agency resources and consulting professionals with specializations

Managing temptations for substances in a community setting

Healthy milieu encourages resident transparency and responsibility

Length of time in treatment Addressing complex issues of addictions and mental

health in a holistic manner, youth do voluntarily stay past legal mandates, utilizing resources pre and post Bridges

Budgetary cuts across ministries Staying ahead of curve, ongoing review of core

curriculum, adaptive programming components based on fiscal realities

Challenges & Successes

Discussion

Suggestions, Comments, Q & A, Networking