New beginnings?for troubled teens.     They arrive alienated from their parents, failing in school, often abusing drugs or alcohol. Usually, the courts have ordered that they be placed here. And again and again, the dedicated staff at the Sacred Heart Center Adolescent Program helps these children in crisis get their lives back on track. Troubled teens are not simply placed here and watched over until they are adults or learn to follow rules well enough to leave the facility. Through an intense cognitive-behavioral intervention program, they are given the tools they need to take control of their own lives. Social workers, teachers, judges, parents, and the adolescents themselves agree: the program works. "When they come to Sacred Heart, they are given what they need, 24/7. This program provides children who have probably had negative experiences in their life to learn from them, turn them around, and apply them in positive ways in their own lives." --Psychologist "My daughter wasn't listening to me'she refused to go to school?and we had to go to court over and over'I had to place her here. Now, I have my daughter back. Without her being in the SHC program, I probably wouldn't even know her now, because we were that far apart." --Parent "At first I didn't like it, but now I think it really works. The Adolescent Program just really changed my life?and for most kids, I think it saves their lives." --Former Client "The staff treat the juveniles in their care like family'it's more of a homestyle-type therapy than it is a residential therapy. I've seen many, many successes." --Judge "I think twice before I do anything now. I plan to go to Job Corps and be a mechanic and a welder." --Former Client "I can't say enough good things about this center because they make these kids successful..they make them believe in themselves." --Jerry, Teacher "I know that there's an intense amount of therapy the kids receive every day, and what I see in the kids from my end is brighter, happier, more self-assured kids who are more able to deal with their problems." --Lisa, Reading Specialist "When the kids get into the center, within a matter of days, their grades go up, attitude changes, things just get a lot better. I believe in the Center wholeheartedly, just because I see the results every day. Most importantly, these kids seem to take the change and live with it after they leave the center." --Larry, Teacher "This facility prepares the adolescents for transition back into the home. If a child isn't ready to move home, after being treated in a lock down facility, the program provides a good intermediate step." --Tomko, Social Worker "One of the most positive aspects of our program is the fact that our clients attend public school?.this allows our clients to not only participate in extracurricular activities, but also to utilize social skills they learn in the program." --Dee Anne, Program Coordinator "It is wonderful that NA children have an opportunity to go to a group home setting on the reservation?amongst their family members in a NA community. I feel that that's a strong influence on their treatment." --Lea Lawrence, Counselor Three Rivers Mental Health A variety of factors combine to create this effective program. The Treatment Model     A specific, individualized case service plan is developed for each adolescent, detailing goals, strategies, and other treatment needs. The program, considered a least restrictive facility, uses Reality Therapy/Choice Theory as its treatment model, emphasizing that individuals are accountable for their own choices and behavior, and that there are consequences for those choices.     Teaching adolescents to recognize and meet their needs responsibly is the core of the program, and specific activities build and reinforce that goal. The Adolescent Program strives to help young people develop balanced, healthy lives, creating a strong foundation for their future. Fun needs are met by group outings to movies, sobriety dances, and the skateboard park, as well as activities at the Center such as basketball and crafts. Life skills such as sorting laundry, preparing simple meals, grocery shopping, and managing a checking account are taught. Regular opportunities for community service teach good citizenship?clients shovel snow for elderly in the community, plant flowers, pick up trash, and take cookies to nursing homes. Spirituality is encouraged, but no particular religion is endorsed. Clients may attend any of a number of local churches, or participate in traditional Native American activities such as sun dances and sweats. The Dedicated Staff     Juveniles who engage in self-destructive behaviors generally do not have effective parent/child or teacher/student relationships. To help young people make better choices, they need to learn how to improve their relationships with others?and that begins with the staff. Those working with the adolescents become involved on a personal level. From the beginning, they communicate, ?It's important to me what happens to you.? Staff members often attend their clients' sporting events and other school activities on their own time. When necessary, they take care of needs that parents would---graduation parties, prom clothes, birthday celebrations, school pictures. The counselor to client ratio here exceeds licensing requirements. Family Involvement     Our experience has been that if parents take an active role in their child's treatment, the chance for continued success increases. Eventual transition back into the home setting is helped by regular visits with families and family counseling sessions. These activities are facilitated even for clients whose homes are at some distance from the Center. The Community     A variety of agencies in Eagle Butte support the work at the Adolescent Program, or are an integral part of it. Four Bands Healing Center provides intervention programs, drug/alcohol assessment, fitness center, and DUI classes. The Eagle Center, an alternative learning center, offers a variety of classes, including parenting and other life skills. Medical facilities include a hospital, clinic, and Three Rivers Mental Health center. Eagle Butte has a full court system?judges, probation officers, and a juvenile detention center. The Main provides a hang out for younger adolescents. A new teen center, including an Internet caf?, is under construction. Education     Adolescents being treated at the Sacred Heart Adolescent Program attend the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte school system, the only dual public school/BIA school in the nation, for their educational and extracurricular activities. For most students, this is a much more positive situation than being in a totally controlled environment, then trying to function in a public school upon completion of the program. The Facility     The Adolescent Program is housed in a 13,000-square foot building designed specifically for its purpose. It is licensed by South Dakota Dept. of Social Services to serve 16 adolescents, but will be able to house 24 adolescents when it reaches full capacity and licensing. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact Us Stephonie Jewett, Group Leader sjewett@shconline.org Dee Anne Ducheneaux, Coordinator dducheneaux@shconline.org Keva Jewett, Assistant Coordinator kjewett@shconline.org Tina Neigel, Front Office Manager tneigel@shconline.org