Fresno County
Elkhorn Correctional
Facility
Aggression
Replacement
Training
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Elkhorn Correctional Facility is a Juvenile Boot Camp located in
the rural area of Fresno County.
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We house minors ranging from the ages of 14 – 18 years old.
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Elkhorn is made up of two programs:
- Boot Camp
6 months minimum
- Delta
9 months minimum
* Both programs have a max period of confinement not to
exceed 365 days.
These programs are achievement based, and progressing
through them is contingent on positive behavior and personal
performance.
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The type of minors that are housed at
Elkhorn are considered to be High Risk Youth.
This would include:
- Misdemeanor and Felony offenders
- Minors with Multiple Sustained Petitions
- WIC 707B Offenders
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These minors come from many different
backgrounds which include:
- Gang Involvement
- Out of Home Placement
- Personal and/or Parental Drug Abuse
- Mild to Severe Learning Disabilities
- Little to no Academic Success
- History of Physical and Psychological Abuse
- History of anti-social and violent behavior
- Habitual criminal activity
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It is the purpose of Elkhorn to provide
structure and discipline. To help our minors
redirect themselves in a positive manner that
will help lead them to success. To show them
another way of thinking and living, contrary
to what they have become accustom. We do
this by providing them with a sense of selfworth, a respect for others, and the desire to
set and achieve positive goals that would help
to better their lives.
Elkhorn Program
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Elkhorn is a program that is made up of several
agencies; Fresno County Probation, Violet
Heintz Educational Academy, Fresno County
Mental Health, Economic Opportunity
Commission, California Youth Outreach.
It is the combined efforts by all parties
involved that enables us to extend the
opportunity of success to our minors.
T.A.C. Officer
TAC stands for Teach, Advise, and Counsel.
The TAC Officer first provides a safe secure
environment and also teaches structure and
discipline to the minors in the Boot Camp.
TAC Officers oversee and track the individual
progress of each minor. They are responsible
for redirecting negative behavior and helping
the minors to make a positive change.
Cadet Manual
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At Elkhorn our minors have some guidelines to
help govern their behavior:
- Code of Conduct
- Code of Ethics
- General Orders
These are found in their Cadet Manual. All
minors are given a Cadet Manual and are
expected to memorize and adhere to these
guidelines. Not adhering to these guidelines
could result in discipline.
Code of Conduct
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Cadets give respect to earn respect.
Cadets are always truthful.
Cadets are responsible for their own actions.
Cadets do the best in all they do.
Cadets do the RIGHT thing the RIGHT way.
Cadets think positively.
Cadets are team players and help others.
Cadets pay attention to detail.
Cadets respect their home and pick up trash
wherever they are to keep it clean.
Cadets accept correction because “through
correction comes improvement.”
Code of Ethics
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The word CAN’T is not in my vocabulary, I will
always try.
There is no end to my potential. I can accomplish
anything.
The only way to win is to never quit.
Life is facing one challenge after another, and I will
face them all with pride.
Life is too short to waste, so I will not lie, cheat, or
steal, nor tolerate those who do.
Leadership is the key to success, therefore I shall
lead to succeed.
General Orders
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I will follow all rules at Boot Camp, at home, and in the
community.
I will obey all court orders.
I will follow all instructions given by TAC Officers and
staff.
I will turn in all contraband when found.
I will speak positively, without the use of profanity.
I will not use threats or harm or violence against others.
I will respect the person and property of others.
I will keep my hands to myself.
I will not participate in or tolerate any gang related
activity.
I will follow the chain of command.
Violet Heintz
Educational Academy
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Encourages minors to obtain their High School
Diploma or GED.
Offers accelerated courses for those close to
obtaining their Diploma.
Offers Out Reach classes to help low functioning
minors in Math and Reading.
Helps minors to prepare for College.
Offers college scholarships to high school
graduates.
Encourages minors to further their education by
offering online college courses.
Offers Vocational Culinary Arts Course.
Mental Health
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Mental Health staff at Elkhorn offer our minors 1 on 1
counseling sessions for various reasons, such as;
- Family Problems
- Suicidal ideation/gestures
- Personal conflict with other minors or staff
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They participate in creating case plans for minor when
they first enter the program and again when they leave
to our aftercare program.
They also assist Probation Staff with Intervention and
Board Review meetings.
California Youth Outreach
Works primarily with the minors in our facility to
prepare them for their promotion to our
Aftercare Program.
They help by recommending our minors to
different agencies that would assist them with
their particular needs.
CYO is now providing Parenting and Gang
Redirection Classes.
Economic Opportunity Commission
Provides assistance in different areas of our
program such as:
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Drug and Alcohol awareness / counseling
Vocational courses in Construction / Welding
Job readiness training and Job Placement
Placement in Transitional Living Centers
when needed
- Bi-weekly AA/NA Meetings
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In the year of 2006 Fresno County’s Mental
Health Dept. faced some severe budget
issues which resulted in E.C.F. losing 3 of our
4 Mental Health workers.
With the ratio of 1 Mental Health worker to
160 – 180 minors, there was something that
needed to be done to deal with lack of mental
health based programs provided to our
minors.
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Given the situation our Chief Probation
Officer decided to utilize our staff to try
and meet some of the needs that were
not being addressed.
This is when A.R.T. was introduced to
E.C.F.
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In the spring of 2006, 7 Juvenile Correctional
Officers attended the initial A.R.T. training.
Having been trained to work in the role of a
“Drill Sergeant”, it was a challenge for some
Officers to integrate A.R.T. into the everyday
“boot camp” mentality and way of life.
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The A.R.T. curriculum was introduced to
E.C.F. cadets in the summer of 2006.
We first targeted our more serious and
habitual offenders (707 B) that were housed
in Delta Barracks.
After we learning how to successfully merge
A.R.T. into E.C.F. we then expanded it into
our remaining three barracks.
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Although at first skeptical, our Officers
now see the benefits and success that
A.R.T. has had with our minors.
Our Officers are now equip with another
tool to help our minors achieve the goal
of redirecting their lives in a positive
manner and becoming more successful.
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In the 16+ months that A.R.T. has been a
part of E.C.F. program - 87 minors have been
enrolled in the ten week course. With only 5
of them having to be removed from our
program due to problematic behavior.
We currently have 56 minors enrolled in
groups.
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Data collected from our Skill Streaming groups have
shown a significant change in pro-social skills.
- Staff have reported a 26% improvement
- Minors have reported a 17% improvement
After reviewing the satisfaction questionnaire of all
three Anger Control, Moral Reasoning, and Skill
Streaming groups a rating of Moderate to High levels
of satisfaction have been reported.
A.R.T. Incentive Program
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Thanks to the shared ideas from staff in other
counties, the idea of an Incentive Program was
presented to our Officers.
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When have now integrated this idea into our A.R.T.
groups.
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Minors are now able to earn points based on
Behavior, Participation, and Homework.
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They use these points to later buy snacks along with
various hygiene items such as: Toothbrushes,
Deodorant, Lotions, Soap, etc….
The goal of Elkhorn Correctional Facility is to
have all minors that are committed to our
program have the chance to participate in
and successfully graduate A.R.T.
A.R.T.
Certificate
Of
Completion
Pieces to the Puzzle
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Probation / TAC Officer
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Provide guidance and structure
C.Y.O. / E.O.C.
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Gang Redirection
- Job employment training
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V.H.E.A.
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Provide education and
vocational training
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Mental Health
- Provides crisis intervention
and one on one counseling
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A.R.T.
- Skillstreaming, Anger Control,
Moral Reasoning
M
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A.R.T.
Probation V.H.E.A.
C.
Y.
TAC Officer O.
E.
O.
C.
A.R.T. has become another piece of our
program that has helped us to give
guidance and direction to the minors
that enter our gates. Better equipping
them with the knowledge needed to
become successful in all aspects of life.