Creating Safe and Respectful Environments I (CSRE I)
in New Jersey’sYouth Detention and Secure FacilitiesMay 2005-April 2006
A Partnership between UMDNJ, the New Jersy Office of the Child Advocate and the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
In May, 2005, UMDNJ designed an innovative program entitled “Creating Safe and Respectful Environments (CSRE).” Utilizing the University’s extensive experience in creating positive culture change in mental health agencies across the country, the program employed a two pronged approach to enhancing the interpersonal skills of staff in detention/secure settings in dealing with detained and incarcerated youth to create safe and respectful environments.
The first step was to form “Champion Teams” in each facility to serve as driving forces for implementing and sustaining the systemic change. These teams included leaders in dministration, custody, social services and education. These champion teams received specialized training in best practice approaches to changing cultures in organizations including skills such as motivating staff, rewarding positive change, and maintaining enthusiasm over time. Champion Teams were then provided ongoing on site support.
The second aspect of UMDNJ’s unique “CSRE” program involved conducting four-hour trainings for officers and civilian staff at every county juvenile detention facility and at NJJJC secure facilities. These trainings were directed at promoting a shift in philosophy-- moving from a model of dolescent behavior management based on control and punishment, to a model based on positive reinforcement for pro-social behavior and on proactively managing the emotional and physical environments to maintain safety for all youth and staff in the centers.
From June through November 2005, over 1,300 officers and staff as well as 19 champion teams throughout New Jersey were trained in the “CSRE” philosophy. The response to this project has been overwhelmingly positive! 90% of ratings from all of the evaluations distributed at the end of each training session ranged between “good” and “excellent!”
Perhaps, most impressive has been the anecdotal feedback we have received. Champion teams from the vast majority of participating facilities have reported that this project has provided the impetus for them to launch exciting new efforts to improve institutional cultures and environments, and create facilities that are safer and more secure for both staff and residents.
Creating Safe and Respectful Environments II
May 2006 to April 2007
In April 2006, the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission announced their commitment to fund “Creating Safe and Respectful Environments II” a second year of training. This training will run from May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007. Each detention and secure facility will have access to the following trainings:
- Understanding Mental Health Disorders - 3 hour training for all staff offered twice to accommodate full staff attendance
- Communication that Promotes Cooperation - 3 hour training for all staff offered twice to accommodate full staff attendance
- Supervisor training - 3 hours of training offered for supervisors
- Behavior Modification programs - 3 hours of training for identified staff at each center
- Champion team consultation - a minimum of 4 hours on site as needed consultation
- Quarterly 3 hour sessions of CSRE for new officer recruits at the Sea Girt Training Academy
- Telephone/e-mail consultations as needed
- Quarterly CSRE statewide best practice newsletters
If you are the Training Coordinator for a New Jersey county juvenile detention center or a NJ Juvenile Justice Commission (NJJJC) secure juvenile facility, click HERE or the BUTTON below to review and schedule the trainings that are available to you through the new 2006-2007 CSRE II program.
For more information about the Creating Safe and Respectful Environments Project, please contact Amy Jacob at 732-235-4155 or jacobas@umdnj.edu.
