Youth Leadership Academy 3155 W. Justice Center Way Orange, CA 92868 (714) 935-7099

The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is a 120-bed treatment facility operated by the Orange County Probation Department. Centrally located within Orange County, the facility consists of two, two-story modular living units that are designed to house up to 60 youth each. The facility is self-contained and includes full service kitchens, laundry, and intake/release services. Each building contains a control center, dayrooms, dining, and multi-purpose areas with shared access to six new school classrooms and outdoor recreation space. There is a third building that functions as the administration building.

YLA provides a comprehensive residential program designed to enhance competencies through remedial education, rehabilitative treatment programs, substance abuse programs, mental health services, and community outreach opportunities. Comprehensive academic and special education services are provided by Otto Fischer School, which is operated by the Orange County Department of Education. On-site medical services are provided by the Orange County Health Care Agency. Mental Health services are provided by the Orange County Health Care Agency, through the Clinical Evaluation and Guidance Unit (CEGU) and include crisis, individual, group, and family counseling. Additional services, such as religious programming, hair care services, reading skill building, community service and restorative justice opportunities, are provided.

Currently, YLA's two living units, each have a distinct program. YLA housing unit 1 (YLA-1) has an older boys/transitional age program, designed to build the competencies of older offenders (ages 17.5-19). In addition to rehabilitative services, YLA-1 focuses on building living skills that older offenders will need as they transition to life as an adult. The young men are given the opportunity to attend school and seek employment outside of the facility. Programs designed to enhance communication and interview skills are also offered.

YLA housing unit 2 (YLA-2) program is tailored to meet the needs of those offenders that have been less than successful in more open camp settings or have been identified as having serious mental health issues. YLA-2 is home to the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction (MIOCR) grant program. The Orange County Probation Department was awarded this grant from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/ Corrections Standards Authority to meet the needs of those offenders with serious mental health issues. In addition to rehabilitative services, the MIOCR program offers intensive individual and family therapy. Upon release, participants will receive these services for up to six months after their release. In addition, a Probation Officer will assist in the transition back into the community and monitor their progress.

Utilizing programs and activities that have been proven effective through research, YLA uses direct supervision and counseling that seek to foster four basic beliefs involving Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity. Programming involves minors participating in 2-3 small group sessions per week for 10-12 weeks. Additional rehabilitative programming include: anger management; drug and alcohol awareness; victim awareness; character and values education and development; social skills training; and gang intervention. Group discussion of specific issues, role-playing, homework, and repetitive review are utilized to effect a change in the way minors think about themselves, others, and their world.

BELONGING

Minors who have entered the juvenile justice system have generally not been successful in many areas of life. By fostering a sense of belonging, minors will begin to experience a sense of stability, ownership, and involvement in the course of their lives. Belonging begins with the staff assigned to the facility. Most of the current YLA staff assisted in the development of the program, have requested to participate in the program and believe in the mission of the program. Personal investment of their time and talents are a key to the program’s success. Minors will be encouraged to assist in developing their own customized program based on their identified needs. This process will give each minor a sense of self-determination and begin the process of Belonging.

MASTERY

Minors who are involved in the juvenile justice system generally have poor skills in a multitude of areas. These include social skills, athletic skills, study habits, and a sense of worth. By offering a multitude of “wrap around” style services, many of these deficits will be addressed while minors are in the program. Minors will utilize a Minors Personal Goals (MPG) worksheet to select appropriate modules to complete while in the program. Each module is designed to address one or more of the minor’s needs. As minors complete each module, they will be able to take on additional ones and build a sense of Mastery.

INDEPENDENCE

As minors begin to feel like they Belong and have some Mastery over their lives and world, they naturally need to begin to experience Independence. We see this in our own lives as each of us moved from being parent dependent to being parent independent. Minors will be given more responsibilities as appropriate, including off-site furloughs and field trips. In addition, they will increase Independence through participation in modules such as Student Council, Mock Trial, and Peer Court. At this level, minors build a sense of confidence, which in turn builds self-esteem, pride, and true control over one’s own life. The principles learned in the T4C sessions will be applied heavily at this level.

GENEROSITY

Minors who have begun the process of transforming their lives through Belonging, Mastery, and Independence, discover that they do not live in isolation. Our world is tightly interconnected, and each citizen has a responsibility to help his or her fellow man. Minors will accomplish this by “giving back” through community service projects such as designing and delivering get well cards for children at CHOC, designing and delivering story boards for elementary school reading programs, and providing physical labor at the Orange County Food Bank and other community based organizations. By developing a sense of Generosity, minors will develop sensitivity for others, including victims. In addition, they will complete an important aspect of their overall rehabilitation through Restorative Justice opportunities.

Youth Leadership Academy Address:
3155 W. Justice Center Way
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 935-7099