GENERAL RESIDENTIAL
A youth’s placement in the General Residential program begins with a two to four week temporary residency in an Orientation Unit. During this time, a youth’s Initial Service Plan (ISP) is completed. The ISP is the basis of his treatment plan and continues with him as he progresses onto the open campus. Additionally, during this period, educational records are secured, academic testing is completed, school orientation is achieved, health concerns are addressed, and the behavioral/educational motivation system is introduced. The Orientation program facilitates a smoother transition for all newly admitted youth and affords treatment staff with opportunities for student observation.

George Junior Republic’s open campus General Residential program is comprised of 45 single-family homes. Counselor parents, who are carefully selected married couples, many with children of their own, staff these homes and provide eight to ten youth with a structured, fair, firm and consistent environment. The counselor parents, one of whom is required to hold a bachelors degree in the social sciences or a related discipline, participate in regularly scheduled training sessions, and are responsible for the daily supervision and monitoring of each child’s adjustment and interactions.

The goal of the General Residential program is to provide each youth with the necessary social and coping skills needed for successful reentry into society. To accomplish this, each youth is assigned a master’s level therapist who conducts individual or group therapy sessions weekly.

Typically, children admitted into the General Residential program have demonstrated a limited capacity for task and goal completion, positive coping skills, problem solving ability, conflict resolution, and relationship building skills. In addition many youth may have moderate mental health issues and may require the care of one of our psychiatrists. However, with staff supervision, support, and structure, the youth is able to participate in social functions, perform assigned chores, attend on-campus academic and vocational schools, maintain personal hygiene and grooming, and progress through the motivational system.

SPECIAL NEEDS
In 1986, George Junior Republic opened its first Special Needs Unit for youth who were unable to be treated in a open residential environment. Today, 14 Special Needs facilities, housing 151 students, offer a highly structured, staff secure, psychiatric program for youth who are moderately to severely behaviorally and/or emotionally disturbed.

The program operates from the multi-disciplinary treatment team approach. Highly qualified, well-trained professionals in the fields of psychiatry, clinical social work, special education, psychology, health, mental health work, and recreation, staff the program. Together, these individuals develop and implement individual treatment plans to meet the needs of each youth. The treatment plan includes specific short-term and long-term goals and objectives, which are reviewed weekly.

These facilities, while attempting to provide a natural home-like environment, were specifically designed to prevent injury and to maximize recreation, dining, and living space. Additionally, youth have individual bedrooms, access to a time-out room, a self-contained classroom, and other space available for individual and group therapy sessions.

The goal of the Special Needs program is to prepare the youth for placement in a less restrictive environment. As the youth begins to gain control of his behavior and develop coping skills, he is considered for placement in the General Residential program.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
George Junior Republic in Pennsylvania offers residential diagnostic placement services in a staff secure, self-contained facility, which provides 24-hour supervision. Generally, clients admitted to the Diagnostic Center are unable to maintain appropriate levels of social interaction. They lack the ability to function without presenting a threat to the security of themselves and others due to emerging psychiatric and emotional needs. The inability to manage their actions without direct supervision precludes them from placement in an open-residential program.

The objective of the Diagnostic program is to conduct an exhaustive 90-day Diagnostic evaluation, including behavioral observations, in-depth social history resources, and thorough testing and interviews in multiple disciplines. Under the guidance of the Diagnostic Center Director, the results of the evaluations are discussed among treatment team members including a master-level social worker and group therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, medical doctor, Drug and Alcohol specialist, and professional child-care workers, who are responsible for formulating a comprehensive list of treatment goals and objectives and placement recommendations into an effective treatment plan. The completed diagnostic evaluation is then forwarded to the referral agency and/or court with specific recommendations for a continuum of care, including referrals to placements, to provide the client with appropriate services.

This program has been extremely successful with the “hard to place” child and with individuals who have been in multiple placements, over a lengthy period of time, with minimal positive intervention achieved.

DRUG & ALCOHOL (Licensed in-patient non-hospitalization)
George Junior Republic, in response to a growing concern and awareness of chemical abuse among clients, developed a Drug and Alcohol program in 1984. This three-tier program, comprised of drug and alcohol assessment, education, and residential placement, is an integral part of the overall treatment program.

The goal of this 90-to-120-day Drug and Alcohol Residential program is to provide education, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation to clients who have been significantly influenced by chemical abuse.

Currently, George Junior Republic maintains three 10-bed Drug and Alcohol homes which are dually licensed by the Department of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Youth who are placed in these homes have been diagnosed with substance abuse and possibly another type of mental illness or severe emotional disturbance. Additional placement qualifications include the ability to interact appropriately with peers in an open-campus setting, measurable progress in the General Residential program, the completion of the Drug and Alcohol assessment and education phase of the program, and participation in the Drug and Alcohol campus groups.

Specially trained Drug and Alcohol counselor-parents coordinate the daily rehabilitation segments of the program. Additionally, a master-level certified addiction counselor conducts weekly individual and group therapy sessions. These sessions are enhanced through participation in bi-weekly, off-campus support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

By leading the client through a series of rehabilitative steps, including the accurate depiction of his abuse, its consequences, and his future as it relates to dependency, the youth is able to identify himself as chemically dependent and begin his journey to recovery.

A copy of the Drug & Alcohol Program Annual Report is available for review through the Chief Financial Officer, whose office is located in the Administration Building on the George Junior Republic campus.

COMMUNITY BASED GROUP HOME
George Junior Republic currently operates five Community Based Residential Group Homes with a total capacity of 31 clients. The goal of the Community Based Group Home is to provide clients with the opportunity to readjust to a normalized home and community environment by engaging community resources, such as education, employment, socialization, and community living.

Youth are selected to participate in the Community Based Group Home program after a positive on-campus home and school adjustment, and based on recommendations from George Junior Republic staff and teachers. Although recommendations may be heavily weighted, it is only after an in-depth screening process and court approval that a youth is permitted to transfer into this program.

Typically, clients who participate in this program fall into two broad categories. The first group is comprised of youth preparing to return to their families, home, school and communities. These youth are gradually given increased privileges and responsibilities such as part-time jobs, participation in scholastic sports and activities, and increased home visits. As their discharge draws near, the staff takes measures to ensure a smooth transition back into their home communities. The second category consists of clients preparing for life on their own with little or no family support. With this group, independent living skills, preparation for college or trade school, entrance into the job market, or enlistment in the service are emphasized.

To inquire about George Junior Republic's residental programs please contact:

Admissions Office
(724) 458-9330, ext 2101