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Commissioner
Peter Forbes |
At DYS, we believe that people can change and that adults can contribute to positive change in the youth whom we serve.
Engaging young people requires that staff spend time with youth, establish a rapport, develop a mutual sense of trust, and at some point in this process youth will begin to listen and internalize what we're trying to share.
Our ability to engage youth contributes directly to the safety in our programs and positions youth to improve their own insight and make better decisions.
This edition of the DYS newsletter outlines our attempt to improve recreational opportunities as one engagement strategy. We have hired two Recreation Coordinators to improve and diversity the activities in which staff engage youth in our programs. Getting youth to try new activities, improve their skill set, participate in regular large muscle exercise and keep busy all contributes to a positive residential climate.
This newsletter also provides an update on our Safety Committee where we are proactively working toward safer programs and workplaces for youth and staff. Our Safety Committee provides leadership and a regular forum to review data, trends, have open dialogue and solve problems together. In fact, DYS has adopted several Safety Committee ideas to improve program operations and safety.
Our staff makes a difference every day. It's not always immediately apparent, but change with young people is a c
hallenging and potentially rewarding process. We're grateful to our staff for their hard work and commitment to this process.
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| DYS Recreational Programming:
Keeping Youth Occupied so
They
Don't Get Pre-Occupied
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Quick Read:
The
importance of recreation in positive youth development isn't new. Both Jane Addams, Founder of Hull House, and Joseph Lee, Founder of the playground movement, recognized in the late 19th century that "play" can reach--and teach--youth.
In the past, recreation in juvenile detention facilities was used unscientifically, primarily for diversion and cathartic reasons. Some
motivated DYS Group Workers became informal "recreation facilitators" who engaged youth in creative, competitive and innovative activities.
Now, DYS has two full-time Recreation Coordinators--Ryan Walsh in the Southeast Region and Alice Efland in Central--who have adopted a structured approach to recreation programming that draws from data and retains the creative spirit of our agency's early, unscripted recreation efforts.
While Ryan and Alice bring to DYS unique professional experience, they share a common goal: To weave our agency's focus on Positive Youth Development into the recreational activities they plan and implement.
In this article you'll discover how Ryan and Alice are working with DYS staff to reach--and teach--our youth.
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Lessons from the Field
Asked to define the goal of recreational programming, former and current DYS staff say it's to "keep the kids occupied so they don't become pre-occupied
." But when DYS reintroduced the full-time Recreation Coordinator position in 2017, our agency set a more ambitious goal than having youth in our care watch videos, shoot hoops or play cards.
All DYS residential programs provide services including clinical intervention, education, health services and structured recreation. In fact, "the ability to supervise and the interest in participating with youth in daily work or recreational activities" is specifically called out in the Group Worker I job description.
Since 2017, DYS has hired two full-time Recreation Coordinators to enhance recreational activities: Ryan Walsh (2017) serves the Southeast Region and Alice Efland (2018) serves the Central Region.
Neither Group Workers nor Educators, Walsh and Ryan have enthusiastically tackled three tasks: First, clarifying for staff what they offer as Recreation Coordinators; second, building the relationships that are key for success in every DYS position; and third, promoting the concept and application of recreational programming.
Each brings superlative qualifications to the position: Efland earned
a B.A. in Applied Exercise Science and a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology; Walsh has an A.A. in Criminal Justice, a B.A. in Human Services, and a M.Ed. in Athletic Administration.
Tapping their academic knowledge and professional experience, Efland and Walsh are developing and implementing
recreational programs and activities that incorporate Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles and help improve program safety.
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| Mural painted by youth (Worcester Secure) |
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While studies and scholarly articles have for decades linked creative recreational programming with reduced violence in youth detention facilities, Walsh and Efland see the proof in our agency's people and programs. Though interviewed separately, both said
"the most effective recreational programming involves staff engagement."
Efland and Walsh describe DYS' deep bench as an untapped recreational programming resource. "With 80% of our staff serving in direct care roles, we can work together to plan and execute fun, safe, creative and lasting programming," says Walsh.
"
Recreational programming works better when staff are engaged and involved," emphasizes Efland. Walsh agrees: "Group workers know the kids best. They interact with the kids already, so they can suggest recreational programming ideas and help implement programs that resonate."
Like many staff in direct care roles, Efland and Walsh learned quickly that y
outh are often reluctant to participate in activities that take them out of their comfort zones."Some of our youth don't even know how to play games or be kids," reflects Efland. "That's where staff engagement really helps. An encouraging word makes a huge difference. It can be as simple as 'hey, try something new.' That helps the kids let down their guards."
Efland approaches each program differently.
"My planning depends on the program," she explains. "In some units I suggest enhancing their current programming with PYD principles; in others I suggest additional programming to build out what they're already doing."
She adds: "
One of my goals is getting staff more engaged, which benefits everyone. And while I generally visit a unit with a planned activity in mind, I'm flexible depending on the day and the youth and staff available to participate."
"My approach is to suggest a steady progression," Efland says. "The process isn't always easy. Sometimes programming doesn't measure up to our expectations; sometimes it surpasses our expectations. It depends on the unit and the day.
Some days the youth are more engaged than others."
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Southeast Region "Monster Jam" |
It Works if You Work It
Staff agree that recreation has been--and will remain--an important part of DYS culture. "Rec has come a long way from when I first started," says Tom Duggan, a long-serving DYS employee. "The goal hasn't changed: Keep youth busy and engaged for as long as possible."
Now a Trainer at the DYS Training Center, Duggan began his career as a Group Worker at Pelletier Girls.
During the era of packed facilities, 'rec' was a management tool, he recalls. "The Pelletier Directors at the time--Linda Kelly and Beth McGlory--really prioritized recreation programming."
Working the second shift--when most recreation programming is done--Duggan inherited activities like Bingo Night, Arts & Crafts, exercise programs, music, and outdoor activities. "We added unexpected stuff like theme nights (crazy hair-do, staring contests, trivia) and Karaoke. Believe me, you can do a lot with a Karaoke machine."
"Good staff will do recreation programming with youth," says Duggan. "That's really where relationship building starts. Staff get to see a different side of youth and vice versa.
Creativity is a key attribute for successful recreation activities, says Walsh. "S
cheduled, structured and consistent programming works. There's a recreation programming continuum; basketball and video games are one end of the continuum--there's a whole other side we can experiment with."
In her unit visits, Efland has learned that staff have good ideas that can get overlooked. "I ask them, engage them and involve staff as often as I can." Walsh applies a similar approach, adding that youth can also contribute: "When youth are involved in deciding, they're more engaged."
"I ask youth what they want to do," he explains. "We brainstorm, discuss ideas and then start the activity. Other youth tend to join in when they see their peers having fun."
While involving youth and staff is important, Walsh and Efland say it's equally important to remain positive and energetic. "Don't get frustrated w
hen youth don't want to participate," Efland advises. "You can't take it personally."
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| Horticulture (Zara Cisco Brough) |
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Last Words
If you're in one of the three DYS regions without the support of a full-time Recreation Coordinator, you can identify and apply organic assets, say Walsh, Efland and Duggan.
Whether it's a Group Worker who moonlights as a magician or a woodworking Case Worker, passion for a hobby is infectious, Duggan observes. "Use your people to expose youth to a lot of activities. You never know what will spark their interest."
In addition to offering a wide variety of activities, programs benefit by investing resources and determining what works for their specific clientele, says Walsh. He also recommends trying an activity that you think won't work: "It'll keep youth busy and you might be surprised by their reaction. You might even have a winner."
Efland encourages staff to be open-minded. "Let's try stuff," she says. "Just because an activity may not have worked in the past doesn't mean it will never work."
Keeping youth busy and engaged in diverse recreational programming is fun for youth and staff. It also helps youth develop a respect for rules, create and sustain teams, communicate constructively and effectively, and build relationships--all part of DYS' mission to promote positive change in the youth in our care.
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Recreational Programming: Resources, Research and Readings
- "The Rationale for Recreation Services for Youth: An Evidence-Based Approach": Research Series (2010, National Recreation and Parks Association)
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What Types of Programming Do Committed Youth Want?
Nevada Study Offers Insights
Seeking to assess committed youths' opinions of effective programming options for inside and outside the detention system, in 2001 researchers surveyed 197 committed males and females in two Nevada youth detention facilities in the Las Vegas area.
The s
urvey revealed several highly rated inside-facility programming options: The top three categories rated very helpful or helpful were "Job training" (85%), "Recreational activities" (78%) and "Counseling with parents" (76%). Computer training, Arts & Crafts, and Books/reading materials were also highly rated for inside-facility programming.
Committed Youths' Rating of Inside-Facility Programming
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Very Helpful %
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Helpful %
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Kind of Helpful %
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Not Helpful %
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Personal time with staff
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29.9%
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36.1%
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22.2%
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11.9%
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Group counseling
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19.6%
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32.0%
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26.3%
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22.2%
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Classroom instruction
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15.5%
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42.5%
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29.0%
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13.0%
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Computer training
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45.4%
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26.3%
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14.9%
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13.4%
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Job training
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65.3%
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20.2%
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5.7%
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8.8%
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Recreational activities
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47.4%
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30.5%
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18.9%
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3.2%
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Individual counseling
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38.1%
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29.6%
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21.7%
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10.6%
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Art & Crafts
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39.4%
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29.8%
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23.9%
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6.9%
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Books/reading materials
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47.6%
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24.6%
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13.6%
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14.1%
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Counseling with parents
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52.4%
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23.8%
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16.7%
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7.1%
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The mission of the Safety Committee
is to proactively address DYS safety issues and have the appropriate people look at those issues. While there are many safeguards built into DYS workplaces, the agency's
Safety Committee is a primary source of continuing attention to safety issues for youth, staff and the communities we serve.
"DYS has always been concerned about the safety and well-being of youth in our care as well as the dedicated staff who provide services for them," says Margaret Chow-Menzer, DYS Deputy Commissioner who chairs the Safety Committee.
Who's on the Safety Committee?
The Committee includes staff from Executive leadership, residential
and community operations
management, health services management, human resources, labor relations, legal, investigations, AFSCME Local 1368, and
the r
esearch
team
.
The group m
eets every 6-8 weeks to review safety issues.
What Does the Safety Committee Do?
The Safety Committee routinely monitors and evaluates youth and staff injuries and works on strategies and interventions to reduce incidents resulting in injuries. Other issues include OSHA safety topics, modified work program, industrial accident process and statistics,
safety policies and procedures in community and residential programs, safety equipment, workplace violence, and identifying specific opportunities with recommendations to improve safety within the organization.
What Has the Safety Committee Done?
- Recommended programming improvements on the days and times when there are higher incidents of assault. This resulted in establishing Recreation Coordinator positions.
- Conducted OSHA safety mapping to ensure DYS compliance with federal standards.
- Procured safety equipment for staff including infectious disease control shields, handcuffs, safety belts, and two-way radios.
- Reviewed and provided feedback on draft group disturbance policy.
- Improved industrial accident reporting and analysis of injury information collected.
What's the Safety Committee Doing Now?
- Aggregating and analyzing EOHHS Industrial accident reports to identify target areas for safety training improvements.
- Reviewing Serious Incident Reports and Industrial Accident Reports for trends and patterns to inform the development of strategies and interventions to reduce incidents of assaults, restraints, and other risk indicators.
- Working to meet OSHA safety standards through its Safety and Health Plan (currently under development).
- Monitoring safety issues external to the agency; one outcome is the delivery of On-site Active Shooter training for staff in DYS residential programs and district offices.
- Following through on DYS Safety Task Force recommendations featured in the February 2018 report.
Work Group Develops Standardized Grid for Individual Service Plans (ISPs)
Unique to each youth in our care, ISPs are comprehensive guides that set goals and track a youth's trajectory through DYS. A Safety Committee work group is developing standardized ISPs for committed DYS youth.
"While every region has ISPs for youth, neither the process of developing ISPs nor the forms are standardized--which can lead to confusion if and when youth transfer between our facilities," explains John Zablocki, the Western Region's Director of Residential Services. The work group is coordinating with facility administrators to standardize ISPs; a roll-out date is to be determined.
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 Wealth of Wellness Resources:
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