In response to the COVID19 Pandemic, Grow Academy quickly executed a plan to continue placement options that include some onsite as well as virtual programming as an alternative to physically being placed at the facility 24/7. The modified programming is an opportunity for youth to remain in the community while still fulfilling their requirements for participation in The Grow Academy program.
The home must be a safe environment including appropriate supervision to allow the youth to remain in the community. Youth must have access to a smart phone, IPad, tablet, computer or other electronic equipment in order for them to access certain media platforms that will allow them to participate in programming on a daily basis. If a youth does not have access to one of these devices but would be an appropriate candidate for non-residential programming, please feel free to reach out to Grow staff to discuss options.
The modified program consists of the following:
- Education
- Youth will be given the materials ahead of time. (Some materials are hand delivered, and others will be virtual).
- Youth will attend Monday-Friday school and work with the teacher in small groups, one-on-one, and independently.
- Youth will be expected to participate in yoga twice per week and will receive physical education credit.
- Youth will receive high school credits, based on their completion of school work.
- IEP meetings will be held, if applicable.
- Speech and Language Therapy and other services will be provided, if applicable.
- Free e-book library and two online learning platforms that utilize assessments, recorded lessons, online tools/assignments, lesson planning algorithms, and teacher input to customize the curriculum to each student's specific strengths and weaknesses.
- Customizable instruction that covers current events, social issues, and other topics of specific interest to each youth.
- UW Extension & Rooted (formally Community Groundworks) will work with on-site youth on various agriculture and culinary programs.
- Case Planning
- Conduct a COMPAS risk/needs assessment.
- Develop and a Case Plan based on the identified needs.
- The Treatment Specialist will meet with the youth weekly along with beginning 10 Steps to Risk Reduction and utilizing Carey Guides, BITS, and Change Journals for case plan assignments as well as skill practice activities.
- Treatment Specialist will provide progress updates and coordinates scheduling with program staff and contracted service providers.
- Change Journal Group
- The youth shall participate in a weekly Change Journal Group facilitated by the Treatment Specialist along with completing assigned work associated with each lesson.
- Thinking 4 a Change
- Youth shall actively participate in Thinking for a Change (T4C) twice weekly.
- Youth will have assigned work to be completed prior to the next group.
- Contracted provider will complete weekly reports of youths progress.
- Individual and Family Therapy
- Youth and families will be expected to participate in individual and family therapy, provided by Anesis, our DJC contracted provider
- GPS Monitoring
- Active (real time) GPS monitoring to include afterhours, weekend, holiday on-call service.
- Ability to make immediate calls to youth or family if violations (tamper/unauthorized leave alert) occur.
- Curfew, exclusions zones, regular point reviews will all be implemented and updates sent to county social workers and/or Probation Agents.
- Daily Virtual Contact (Check-Ins)
- Youth Counselors check-in with virtual youth a minimum of twice a day during the week and at least one time over the weekend, unless additional guidance is needed related to GPS monitoring or other questions and concerns.
- Provide youth with the daily schedule.
- Assist the youth in school and treatment work to ensure youth are staying caught up.
- Use as an opportunity to motivate the youth.
- Provide re-direction and skill building, if needed.
- Incentives
- Youth will be provided incentives based on regular reporting and active participation.
- Gift cards, treat bags, congratulations meetings, letters of praise, etc.
- Continuous encouragement from staff in order to motivate completion of programming.
Weekly/Monthly updates will be provided to county social workers and/or Probation Agents. 60 and 90 day meetings will be conducted to include progress reports and transition (education, employment, treatment needs) following their completion of The Grow Academy. Upon successful completion of the program, a graduation will be facilitated and the youth will receive employment clothing (professional attire), backpack, school supplies, earned credits confirmation and a certificate of completion.
For youth who are only in need of some of the services listed above (i.e. youth already has a home school, for example) a customized programming plan can be discussed and implemented with Grow staff.
In the future, as pre-COVID-19 operations resume, programming may continue as described above, with the option for youth to remain in a community placement during programming.
Information is available on the Grow Academy's referral process, and acceptance criteria.