Program Description:
Apalachicola Forest Youth Camp provides comprehensive programming, including competency restoration training, to juveniles who have been charged with a felony or delinquent acts or violations of law, and who, due to mental illness or mental retardation, are found by the court to be incompetent to proceed under the provisions of section 985.223 (c), F.S., and committed to the Department of Children and Families for restoration of competency.
The program serves 39 males and females, ages 9-19.
The model we have designed ensures a minimum staff to youth ratio of one to four (1:4) during the day and night. All contractual services are designed to meet standards for health, safety, security, and treatment in accordance with the Department of Children and Family and the Department of Juvenile Justice standards of care.
COMPETENCY FACTORS:
To be considered competent, a juvenile must have sufficient present capacity to:
Appreciate the charges or allegations against him or her
Appreciate the range and the nature of possible penalties, if applicable, which may be imposed in the proceedings against him or her
Understand the adversarial nature of the legal process
Disclose to his or her attorney facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue
Manifest appropriate courtroom behavior
Testify relevantly
While the focus is on competency restoration, we also address mental retardation, mental illness, the building of self-esteem, dealing with past sexual abuse, sexually reactive behavior, aggressive behaviors, anger management, social skills, accepting responsibility and other habilitative needs which may reflect underlying contributing causes of competency deficits. It is also hoped that the youth will gain decision making, problem-solving, coping, educational, and social skills which will help them avoid legal and other difficulties in the future.
The therapeutic modalities include the use of a very structured daily schedule with group competency training (daily), individual competency tutoring (weekly), individual and group counseling (anger management, problem solving, conflict resolution, etc.) and social skills training, special educational programming, a behavior management program including a level system and token economy, psychiatric and medical/dental services, and recreational activities.
STEPS TO COMPETENCY:
When a juvenile's attorney, the attorney for the State, or the juvenile judge suspects a juvenile may be incompetent to proceed to trial due to mental illness and/or mental retardation, the court suspends court proceedings and orders mental health experts to evaluate the youth.
The juvenile court appoints at least two, but not more than three experts to evaluate the juvenile's competency. If mental retardation is suspected, the court orders an expert with the Developmental Services Program, Department of Children and Families, to evaluate the youth.
Based on expert reports or testimony at a court hearing, the juvenile judge determines a youth's competency to proceed to trial. If a youth is found incompetent and the delinquency charge would be a felony if committed by an adult, the youth is required to participate in competency training and treatment. The judge determines whether the youth requires Level 3, secure placement in a residential facility. If so, he/she will be placed at Apalachicola Forest Youth Camp.
COMPETENCY TRAINING AND PLACEMENT:
The juvenile receives training to address the six competency factors (listed on the previous page) and other treatment or training essential to achieve competency. These services are provided while at Apalachicola Forest Youth Camp.
JUDICIAL REVIEWS:
The court reviews the juvenile's progress in achieving competency at least every six months during his/her placement at AFYC, but reviews may be held more often to keep the court informed of the youth's progress.
DETERMINATION OF COMPETENCY OR DISMISSAL CHARGES:
Once an expert finds that a juvenile has become competent or will not likely ever become competent, a report is submitted to the court so the judge can decide how to proceed. If a youth is determined by the court to be competent, he or she enters a plea and may proceed to trial.
Delinquency charges may be dismissed at any time the court determines a juvenile will never attain competency. If a youth does not attain competency within two years and is not likely to be competent within an additional year, the court dismisses the delinquency charges.
BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMMING
The Apalachicola Forest Youth Center Behavioral Management System fosters data based decision-making. The program is implemented and monitored under the supervision of Certified Behavior Analysts. Individual behavior programs are developed and incorporated into the Competency Restoration Service Plan. Application of contingencies is well planned and consistent with high standards of clinical and human rights practices. Our program makes it very clear both to youth and staff what behaviors are expected of them, the behaviors necessary to live in the community, and the consequences associated with the behaviors. Corrective therapeutic management of acting-out behavior with verbal de-escalation, time-out, restraint and follow-up processing are used after all less restrictive measures are exhausted. Reinforcement for appropriate behavior is accomplished through the use of tangible and intangible reinforcers. The frequency of reinforcement varies dependent on the individual needs of the youth. Staff are trained to reinforce appropriate behaviors immediately and not to emphasize or focus on inappropriate behaviors. Individual Behavioral Contracts are developed for on-going motivation and evaluation of individual performance toward goals set by the youth and the multidisciplinary Treatment Team during Service Planning. Youth are reinforced and given feedback throughout the day as to the appropriateness of their behavior and whether they are meeting the criteria in the Treatment Plans. Youth will have opportunities to earn points throughout the day. Staff will record points on the point card as they are earned. Staff describe the behavior and verbally praise each youth for the behavior that earned the points. Performance points are totaled daily to determine whether a "good day" was achieved.
Educational Services:
The educational component is offered on a year-round basis, through a cooperative agreement with the Liberty County School District. The educators selected to meet our staffing needs are trained to work in a secure setting and are qualified to actively participate in Service Planning for each youth. The teachers are both certified and experienced. A certified ESE Specialist with special education certification is on staff to coordinate the education plans for youth with mental retardation.
In January 2005, AFYC became the only residential DCF facility to receive SACS Accreditation: Southern Accreditation of Colleges and Schools. This achievement was momentous and spoke highly to the degree of services and care that our education department has, and will continue to offer.
STAFFING:
Apalachicola Forest Youth Camp provides comprehensive programming, evolving around intensive competency restoration training. The facility is hardware secure and provides 24 hours per day; 7 days per week secure custody, care, treatment, and supervision. The staffing pattern ensures a minimum staff to youth ratio of one to four (1:4) during the day and one to four (1:4) at night. Our staffing pattern exceeds the minimum requirements. The additional staff will ensure coverage for added supervision and training of clients as well as for one-to-one observation of residents with special observation needs.
