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A pivotal service offered at Boysville. Crisis counseling is available to emergency shelter residents who have experienced disruption in their lives. In addition milieu therapy including behavior modification is provided to assist children in their adjustment to placement in the residential and foster care homes. Individual, group and family therapy as clinically indicated to best meet the needs of the child is offered to those in variations in life styles and emphasizes personal growth, development and situational change. The therapeutic program has a strong family systems emphasis which provides assistance to families in overcoming difficulties experienced in the process of maturation of children; social and psychological functioning; coping with environmental stress; problems with functioning at school or work and meeting the demands and responsibilities of parenthood. The treatment plan for every child and family member in therapy first identifies the services that will assist the parents in fulfilling their parental role and promote family stability and permanence. Referrals will be made to other community agencies as needed. Parenting classes are provided to strengthen and prepare the family for reunification. Psychiatric consultation is provided as needed. In addition, a psychiatrist is on campus each month to see each patient and monitor the medication needs of residents. Therapeutic consult and support is offered to all direct care staff.
Behavior Management
Utilizing the most desirable and effective means of teaching appropriate behavior through interventions enables the child to evaluate their behavior and understand appropriate mechanisms to use in relating to the world outside of themselves. Opportunities are given for the child to demonstrate responsible behavior and appropriate decision making. Recognition and caregiver approval should follow appropriate choices by the child, while limits and plans for correcting behavior should follow the child’s inappropriate choices.
Compensatory Education
A major focus of the Boysville program, Education holds the key to success for these children. Many children come to Boysville with few academic skills and school behavior problems. Deliberate and thoughtful consideration is given to the needs of each child and an appropriate academic plan is developed. Proper educational placement in the Judson Independent School District is facilitated. Structure, supervision and daily routine play a pivotal role in the success of the residents. Our education staff members are in the schools on a daily basis to ensure proper behavior and consistently good effort by residents. A nightly study hall in every home and individual tutoring in the library takes place daily throughout the school year. High School students are counseled relative to their future academic and vocational plans. Residents graduating while in placement at Boysville will be supported through post graduation transition through scholarships to universities, colleges and trade schools or referral and placement into the Boysville Transitional Living program.
Health Care
We provide health care for all children, including medical, dental, orthodontic, optometry and emergency services. Annual medical examination and biannual dental examinations are regularly scheduled with follow-up of specific problems and needs by licensed specialists. All children are examined after placement and a plan of care is developed. Physical development is dependent upon regular medical care, appropriate hygiene, nutritious diet and exercise.
Recreational Activities
Used in as both therapeutic and leisure activity, recreational activities promote self-confidence, encourage socialization, reduce anxiety, allow expression of feelings and promote the development of basic motor skills. From a leisure-time perspective, recreation encourages children to participate in unstructured activities for relaxation and personal satisfaction. Extracurricular activities include: 4-H, horticulture, arts and crafts, horseback riding, BMX bike racing, community sports teams, school sports and clubs, summer camps, scouting, Judo, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fine Art Series, Children’s Interactive Symphony Series, Professional Sporting Events, Collegiate Sporting Events, Home Olympics and cottage trips. Recreation is more than a series of activities for play; it is a psychological, educational, physical, social and spiritual stimulant.
Leadership Development
It all starts with a choice. Choice about clothing, activities and personal responsibilities are the beginning steps of leadership. The ability to decide right from wrong and best from better is the beginning of personal leadership. Boysville provides opportunities for children who express a desire to assume positions of leadership. Campus youth leaders participate in a Resident Council that coordinates activities and appropriately addresses concerns of the residents. Residents have opportunities to assume positions of leadership at school, 4-H, scouting, and in community activities. Collaborative efforts with Southwest Winners Youth Leadership Program enables middle school and high school residents to establish future goals and learn how present choices impact those goals. Within this program youth are exposed to information on the consequences of premature sexual activity and how to make healthy choices in relation to their sexuality. As a precursor to the Youth leadership Program, the San Antonio Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse facilitates a program for fifth and sixth grade residents in a support group setting that enables them to explore feelings and how feelings impact relationships. These two collaborations underline the core of the Leadership Development program at Boysville.
Transitional Living Services
We follow our high school graduates as they progress from living at Boysville to living independently. The Transitional Living Program consists of two phases. Independent living training begins during the first year of high school and continues throughout high school. At this phase the resident begins to learn skills needed to live on their own once they become eighteen years of age or graduate high school. Areas covered include money management, job skills/job readiness, housing transportation, health and wellness, planning for the future and personal interpersonal skills. Each student is counseled relative to high school course work and future goals. Most students begin their work experience during summer employment through the Judson Independent School District. Phase Two of the Transitional Living Program consists of helping the resident purse higher education so that they can continue to accomplish the Boysville mission of becoming responsible adults. Boysville provides scholarships to universities, colleges and trade schools; housing or referral to partner agencies for housing; medical care; case management and support services needed by young adults as they move toward independence. The goal is to explore all avenues of experience and service to prepare each young person for this most important transition into the world.
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