YES (Youth Empowerment System)

The Center for Family Services

YES (Youth Empowerment System) Healing Homes
Wilmington University
Anitra D. Hampton

YES (Youth Empowerment System)

The YES Residential Treatment Facility located in Blackwood, NJ, provides short-term
emergency shelter care and offers both long-term and short-term residential treatment for
Camden County youth between the ages of 11 and 17 years old. Most if not all of these young
men are placed in this facility by the court system or the Division of Child Protection and
Permanency. While living at the YES facility, students who are unable to return to their local
school receive homebound instruction provided by certified teachers. Therapists work with the
young men and their families for nine months up to one year, providing advocacy and referral
services, diagnostic assessment and therapy. The program sets out to reunify the youth with their
families whenever possible and/or prepare them for group or independent living.
As of today, the person responsible for managing the program is Allen Hundley. He is
the Program Director for the YES facility and he and his staff follow a protocol or practice that
most state run treatment facilities for young men adhere to. The curriculum consists of group
counseling and activities that are somewhat suitable for the different age populations which
include sports and other social interests. Whatever the activity, it must meet the need to help the
residents make and meet goals that are physically and mentally stimulating (CFS, March 17,
2015). Unfortunately, the YES program falls short of these goals because staff is not qualified
to implement the necessary resources to make a difference in the childrens lives. The
caretakers who work there make very little money and do the bare minimum while on the job
and then they go home. (L.M., personal communication, March 26, 2015). Mr. Hundley,
although qualified to manage the facility, does not have the support or dedication of his staff to
run the program successfully.
Children who suffer from emotional, physical and mental abuse need more than just a
babysitter and its important to implement resources that work for each individual, changing or

YES (Youth Empowerment System)

tweaking those resources as you go along. As a program director I would stay abreast of new
research-based service delivery models such as planning the therapists case load based on the
assessment of the client and allocating resources for clearer short-term outcomes including hiring
staff that are qualified and trained in helping the residents meet their goals. The YES facility is
also too large, housing some 100 kids who suffer with multiple issues. Research has shown that
housing different age groups in smaller facilities results in greater incentives. These smaller
community-based group homes have proven to be healthier living environments that produce
better long-term results. Private funders including the federal government are doing their
homework and have been shifting their funding priorities in this direction (CWLA, March 19,
2015).
Smaller group homes can also be established in communities closer to families and
schools because the staff to resident ratio is smaller and therefore more manageable. Children
get a sense of belonging in a community setting which fosters closer personal relationships with
the teachers, staff and volunteers and also reduces behavior problems.
As the director, I would also provide training in life skills such as grooming, eating, home
maintenance and cleaning, managing money and looking for or holding a job, and for those who
are ready, they would be tutored and prepared for college. In addition, they would also be taught
respect, responsibility, accountability and good decision making to prepare them to return to their
communities as positive, contributing members.
Children need role models and I would seek men who are teachers, coaches and
businessmen to come to the facility and give lectures, coach a basketball game or just spend time
with these young men. I would go to churches, job fairs and council meetings with information
on the benefits of reaching out to these young men and reminding entrepreneurs of the benefits

YES (Youth Empowerment System)

of employing them. Its important to interact with our youth, keeping the lines of
communication open and working to make them a valuable part of our community. The Child
Welfare League of America has a blueprint they adhere to as a catalyst for change that involves
services, childrens rights, shared responsibility, funding and resources to name a few. I think
their vision is spot on and the YES program could benefit greatly by implementing some of their
practices.
As director of the YES program, I would revamp the whole program and keep only the
staff that is committed in making a difference in the lives of the youth they are there to serve.
During my research I found that there are 27 group homes for males and females in southern
New Jersey and of these 27 residential facilities, 10 house males and females, 4 are strictly for
females and 13 are for males only (JJS, March 18, 2015). It is clear to me that young men
ranging in age from 13 through 19 years of age are the most vulnerable in our society.
Our economys purse strings are getting tighter and tighter and funders want to see that
their money is well spent.

In order to strike a balance to keep your program in operation and be

successful you should have a clear vision of what youre trying to achieve and join forces with
other organizations who have like visions and are aware of the challenges of growing and
maintaining such a facility. I would also use distinct practices such as building a foundation with
a strong network of supporters and keep them abreast of my progress and trials with monthly
board meetings. Putting a reliable network of volunteers and corporate partnerships in place will
keep the funds coming in (JPI, March 18, 2015).
The YES Residential Treatment Facility receives funding from federal, state and county
departments such as the U.S. Department of Education, the New Jersey State Department of
Children and Families and Camden, Cape May and Gloucester County Board of Chosen

YES (Youth Empowerment System)

Freeholders. The donors, funders and supporters listed in CFS Annual Report, 2013 are vast and
extensive including a wide range of businesses, large and small, colleges, universities, clubs and
caring individuals. However, I think that in order to make a greater impact, businesses including
public and private organizations must take a larger responsibility in the YES facility to improve
the outcomes for its residents by providing social skills training and job readiness training. I
would ask the board of directors of CFS to reach out to other non-profits such as Catholic
Charities who are committed to helping local communities address the needs of their young
people.
Soliciting local colleges such as Rowan and Gloucester County College submitting
proposals inviting students who are in the health and medical field complete their internships in
tutoring at the college, giving the residents a chance to see what its like on a college campus. I
would also reach out to local leaders of churches to volunteer their time to sponsor a young man
helping to build their self-confidence and self-esteem, engaging in something positive to keep
them on the right track.
As an employer I want staff that is caring, nurturing and compassionate. My employees
must put the residents of the YES program first at all times and be committed to their stability
and security. They must also be committed to ongoing education and mandatory meetings that
will consist of ideas, grievances and learning all we can about caring for those we are responsible
for. Working together as a team from the board of directors to the clinicians strengthens our
resolve in running a productive program. Keeping abreast of evidence-based practices that work
will give the program the prospects for continued funding. Money well spent in the successful
treatment of the residents reduces the threat of closure and increases the possibilities of reaching
more disadvantaged youth.

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References

Center for Family Services (CFS), Retrieved March 17, 2015 from
http://www.centerffs.org/substance-abuse-services
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)), Retrieved March 19, 2015
http://www.cwla.org/about-us/
Justice Policy Institute (JPI), 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC, Retrieved March 18,
2015, http://www.justicepolicy.org/research/category/38
Juvenile Justice System Community Based and Residential Programs (JJS), Retrieved March 18,
2015 from www.camdencountybar.org/files/pdfs/238.pdf