The Connecticut Department of Children and Families

1
The Connecticut Department of
Children and Families
2
(No Transcript)
3
STEP Program

• Support
• Team
• for
• Educational
• Progress

4
Program Description

• STEP is an educationally focused re-entry and
  delinquency prevention program. It is
  community-based and offers wraparound services
  based on a continuum of care model.
• The STEP Program is fully funded through a grant
  by the Connecticut Department of Children and
  Families Bureau of Juvenile Services.

5
Mission Statement

• The mission of the STEP Program is to assist
  youth in experiencing a seamless transition from
  a secure or residential facility to their
  community/education setting.

6
STEP Program Goals

• To reduce recidivism
• To reduce truancy
• To reduce school suspensions and expulsions
• To increase the number of youth managed by parole
  in the community and reduce the need for secure
  beds
• To increase school attendance and academic
  success
• To increase collaboration between the local
  school districts, community providers, and the
  juvenile justice system
• To increase pro-social behaviors and positive
  goal attainment activities
• To increase support and services to engage
  families in treatment

7
Program History

• The STEP Program is based on the Hartford, CT
  Pilot Reintegration Education Program (PREP).
  Five years of research of the PREP program
  indicated that PREP reduced recidivism and
  increased the number of youth enrolled in school.
  The PREP program also increased graduation rates
  at a higher ratio when compared to a control
  group.
• Intensive case management services have been
  provided to the juvenile justice population since
  February 1992 through the Outreach, Tracking,
  Reunification Program.
• The new initiative (New Haven STEP) was added in
  January 2007. STEP enhanced existing case
  management services and introduced a wraparound
  service approach. This approached focused on the
  educational reentry of youth returning to their
  community from secure and alternative settings.

8
STEP Program

• Provides a path for a youths successful return
  home from a secure or alternative setting
• Educational/ Community Re-entry
• Transitional Educational Program
• Intensive Case Management
• Wraparound supportive services
• Parenting education and advocacy
• Individualized Needs-Based Training
• Vocational/ Career / Life Skills Development
• Substance Abuse treatment
• Educational advocacy
• Individual and Group Counseling
• Recreational and Cultural Activities

9
For Additional Information Contact
Cynthia Rutledge Ed. D. Director of Educational
Programs Connecticut Department of Children and
Families Bureau of Juvenile Services 505 Hudson
St. Hartford, CT 06106 [phone] John
Gill Director of Juvenile Justice Services The
Childrens Community Programs of CT, Inc. 446A
Blake Street Suite A 100 New Haven, CT
06511 [phone]