All services provide by our agency are intended to help the adolescent improve his/her chances of becoming a law abiding, employable resident of a community, not just a consumer of public services.

1. Educational/vocational programs/paid work
2. Individual, group and Family Counseling, Drug and Crime Victims Counseling, Sexual perpetrator Counseling, Anti-gang and self-esteem counseling
3. Recreation and Arts and Crafts
4. Volunteer Projects
5. Independent Living Skills
6. Community Service ("Symbolic Restitution) and Actual Restitution
7. Nutritional instruction and meal preparation program
8. Non-denominational on-grounds church and Bible study service
9. Medical/dental needs

1. EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Rutherford House offers students an innovative on grounds school concept in cooperation with the Caddo Parish School System. Courses required for graduation from either Junior High or High School are taught by both teachers provided by Caddo Parish and Rutherford House Staff. Vocational counseling/education and a GED program are also available. The school program operates on a twelve-month basis.

Our main school program is part of the Caddo Public School System with credits earned fully accepted at any other public school. A summer program supported by Rutherford House allows students to earn additional credits. The school awards grades at all secondary levels, grades 7-12. We also maintain a non-graded special education department. Regular ceremonies are held to recognize individual academic and/or athletic achievement.

Virtually all Rutherford House students attend our school. In addition, day students assigned by OJS/courts and students from other group homes may attend. Caddo Parish supplies four main-stream and one special education teacher along with two aides. Special tutors, the GED program, physical education, vocational education and computer basic skill instruction are handled by Rutherford House staff. Most of our students are functioning below the seventh grade level with many at or below the third grade level. If possible, parents are involved in the academic plan for their child.

The GED program is operated by Rutherford House with the final GED test being administered by Caddo Parish School System. Students study at Rutherford House with a certified instructor and counselor until the California Achievement Test scores are high enough to indicate that they can pass the GED test. If the GED is awarded and the child is not ready for home placement, he/she is then placed in a paid work situation at Rutherford House, paid work in the community, or goes into a post secondary education program. The J.T.P.A. program currently provides minimum wage for these work positions during the normal academic year as well as an expanded summer program where students work between 20 and 40 hours per week.

Students unable to earn regular school credit or work successfully toward a GED are placed in the Rutherford vocational programs. Currently our agency operates a basic construction program together with a small engine and auto repair shop.

2. INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELLING

All members of the treatment team participate in formal and informal counseling sessions. Presently a Board Certified M.S.W. designs each student ISP and college trained staff implement the various strategies. At minimum each student assigned by DOC receives twenty hours of individual, family and/or group counseling.

Rutherford House follows the N.A./A.A. twelve step programs to combat drug addiction. Students attend a minimum of one weekly meeting on campus and if eligible two off campus community meetings. Eligible students also attend one meeting sponsored by the Pines Treatment Center.

In an effort to reverse the growing gang problem, our agency also holds at minimum twice per month Anti-gang and self-esteem groups. These groups concentrate on the inherent dangers of gang membership and the development of socially acceptable methods of maintaining self worth.

Students who have been identified as victims of crime -usually physical and/or sexual abuse -are counseled on a weekly basis by the Crime Victims Counselor. An Arts and Craft program is utilized as part of this service.

3. RECREATION

Both inside and outside recreational activities are designed to develop skills, coordination, and sportsmanship. Team sports include volleyball, basketball, softball and bowling. Our agency developed and oversees a sports league utilizing local group homes for inter-agency -competition This program encourages all students to participate, not just those with athletic ability. Games are played at the Rutherford House gymnasium and a field provided by the City of Shreveport for our use. Each living facility has an outside basketball net and playing area.

Leisure time activities include: "game day" on Friday afternoons after school where all students enjoy board games, dominoes, etc. In addition each facility has board games, cards and all, but the orientation home, have electronic games that utilize television sets. Limited television viewing is permitted, dependent on progress level and other activities. Family rated VCR tapes are rented for non-school night use.

Students who are making progress in treatment are taken to local movie theaters, high school and college sporting events, swimming, skating and local cultural activities.

4. VOLUNTEER PROJECTS

In an attempt to teach our students to be socially responsible, all placements at Rutherford House are involved in weekly volunteer projects. Other non-profit groups may request assistance from our students. Volunteer projects are generally scheduled for Saturdays and may include:

1. Cleaning public parks
2. Entertaining the elderly in nursing home
3. Organizing mailings for non-profits
4. Reading to children in the LSU Charity Hospital

5. INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS

Upon entry into Rutherford House students begin to learn skills necessary to live independently. All staff members are considered teachers. They offer training in proper personal hygiene; clothing/personal needs purchasing, household chores, laundry and food preparation.

In addition, computerized programs and formal classes offer further assistance in developing a workable plan for independence. Rutherford House currently employs an instructor to teach independent living skills utilizing the computer.

6. "SYMBOLIC" AND ACTUAL RESTITUTION PROGRAMS

Juvenile Courts and the state often impose Community Service hours on students ~s part of, the treatment plans. We provide supervised work both at our agency and other non-profit facilities in an attempt to satisfy this requirement.

In addition, since all students are given paid work opportunities, the court can require actual cash restitution. Amounts ordered are usually less than $500.

7. NUTRITIONAL AND MEAL PROGRAM

Breakfast and lunch are served in the Rutherford House cafeteria during the week. Four night meals each week are contracted with local restaurants and cafeterias. Besides being cost efficient, students learn proper behavior in public. Students that have poor behavior are served in the group homes as a logical consequence for their behavior. Depending on house assignment, students prepare the menu, shop and then cook at least one meal per week. Other meals are prepared by the Rutherford House kitchen staff. All meals are supervised by a licensed nutritionist and the School food Service. Menus are written in advance, filed and maintained for at least one year.

8. NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH

Since many of our students are restricted to Rutherford House property, especially during the initial stages of placement, our agency developed a non-denominational church program that is in session on Sunday mornings. The material presented stresses values and the importance of helping others. Rutherford House staff volunteers their time to this program.

Non-traditional religious sects can be accommodated by on campus visits by the appropriate spiritual leaders.

9. MEDICAL AND DENTAL NEEDS

Rutherford House utilizes the state medical card and relies on local providers for routine care and Schumpert Medical Center for emergency care. Fortunately, the Shreveport area has an abundance of professionals who accept the card for most medical needs.

Dental needs are met by Dr. Ken Graves. He accepts the medical card for what it will cover and generally provides other care at reduced or no cost.