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New regional program targets youth at risk of joining gangs

The Center for Human Development recently launched its newest service, the Community Adolescent Treatment Program, in Springfield. John D. Roberson, CHD's Vice President of Children & Family Services (center) discusses the first week of the program with Clara Snowden, residential director and Mel Maldonado, director of CHD's Juvenile Justice Programs. The new program falls under the umbrella of the Juvenile Justice Programs. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent





SPRINGFIELD A new regional program is targeting boys to help them make better choices when they are confronted by negative influences including gangs, crime, drugs and violence.

Since its opening on March 13, the Center for Human Development (CHD) Community Adolescent Treatment Program (CATP) has grown from three boys on the first day to 14 in one week. A formal open house presentation is planned April 30 at the 797 Worthington St. site.

During a recent tour of the facility, John D. Roberson, CHD's Vice President of Children & Family Services, noted that CATP was developed to provide youth with skills and knowledge to effectively address the numerous issues they experience, while also assisting with their continued progress once they return to their communities by linking them and their families with various community supports and services.

CATP is a three- to six-month secure residential treatment program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) to provide a wide array of clinical, treatment, educational, residential and pre-vocational services to 15 boys at a time, ages 11 to 18, who are committed to DYS. The program is in collaboration with Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, area mental health clinics, private businesses and mentoring programs.

"Many of the youth entering the program are faced with a myriad of issues which include mental illness, aggression, substance abuse, family dysfunction, gang involvement, under level academic performance, low self-esteem, lack of basic life skills, poverty and other issues related to themselves being a victim of abuse or neglect," Roberson said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

The boys entering the program will be nearing the end of the DYS continuum of services and will be returning to their families and communities after leaving the program. CATP will be playing a vital role in preparing the youth and their families for their successful transition back to their homes by providing them with numerous intensive services. Comprehensive services can range from individual and family therapy, life skills groups, anger management groups and substance abuse treatment, to positive recreational activities, educational and pre-vocational testing, counseling and direction, pre-employment training and job shadowing opportunities. Additionally, CATP will access community service linkages to support the youth and their families once they reunite in the community. These community services may include counseling services, family support services, parenting skills classes, after-school programs, mentoring programs and employment.

Roberson added that CATP has a "highly motivated, trained and experienced direct care staff" that includes Mel Maldonado, program director, Robert Jreaswec, case work-outreach manager, Wanda Serrano-Miller, clinical director, Michael K. McCarthy, educational coordinator and Clara Snowden, residential director. Maldonado also serves as director of CHD's Juvenile Justice Programs which includes CATP.

During the tour, Maldonado was enthusiastic about the start of the program and what sets it apart from others.

"What makes the program unique and different is CATP's ability to provide a wide array of intensive specialized services under one roof, the ability to engage families early in their son's treatment, and the programs outreach component that will engage and secure community based support services for the youth returning to their homes," he said.

Roberson echoed those sentiments, adding the program is important to the Greater Springfield area as a majority of the youth coming through the program live in local communities.

"The youth of the program will have the skills, knowledge and supports that will assist them in making better choices for themselves when they are confronted by negative influences such as gangs, crime, drugs and violence," Roberson said.

Maldonado also believes that the community benefits from the program by having youth who are better equipped to become productive members of society.

"The youth will have the skills and supports to allow them to become more marketable for employment in the community," Maldonado said. "Their success and re-lapse prevention directly correlates to having safer neighborhoods as they were, and will be again, members of our community."

Roberson emphasized that education, treatment and supports they will receive will have an impact on how they view the world and how they pass on their views to their children.

"Having an opportunity like this to have a positive influence on a child is one we take very seriously and look forward to immensely," he added.

For more information on all of CHD's programs, visit www.chd.org.