Supervision & Skill Development
Deschutes County Juvenile strives to keep communities safe through restorative practices for youth offenders.
Every youth who comes in for an intake is interviewed and assessed on their risk to re-offend. The assessment also shows us the best way to prevent a youth from re-offending. Based on the youth's risk to re-offend, the department provides a range of sanctions and services, from referring low-risk youth to a community accountability program, to providing high-risk youth with weekly meetings, referrals for alcohol or drug treatment or counseling. Regardless of risk, the department provides many opportunities for youth to perform community service or pay restitution to restore the harm they may have caused to their victim or community.
Changing Behavior
Young people can and do change their behavior. How? In addition to holding youth accountable for their past actions, the department uses researched methods to change behavior in the future. First, we assess how ready the youth is to change and use the best methods for the particular 'stage of change' the youth is in. We also try to assess the best way a youth learns. For many young people this includes hands-on practicing, not just listening to a lecture. Next, youth learn and then practice new thoughts, words, skills and behaviors to replace the delinquent thoughts and behaviors. This approach has been shown to be the most effective way to change behavior.
Curriculum
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)
MRT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program that combines education, group and individual counseling, and structured exercises designed to foster moral development. MRT is facilitated by designated department staff (CBT Specialists) trained in the curriculum by trainers authorized by the creator of the model. MRT addresses beliefs and reasoning and works to change criminal thinking. MRT aims to change attitudes, values, and anti-social feelings while increasing intrinsic motivation to change. The program consists of specific step exercises that target self-control, problem solving, and the management of goals. MRT also aims to reduce problems associated with drug and alcohol use while preventing relapse as well as increasing positive outcomes of family dynamics.
ALERT
This course helps youth, and their families, that have been involved with fire-setting behavior to develop safety skills. The curriculum was developed with Oregon’s Fire Marshall’s office and taught by staff from juvenile community justice department and the local fire departments.
Boys Council
This group works with young men to develop social skills, education value and self actualization. The curriculum developed to achieve success in education and prevent youth from entering the justice system. The groups are held in area middle schools with funding from Deschutes County Children & Families Commission.
Carey Guide and EPICS Skill Development
All department officers are trained to individually develop social skills to moderate risk factors. High and moderate risk youth will have this skill development built into their supervision plans. Topics such as peer influence, communication, problem solving, decision making and understanding thinking and behavior is offered.
