PbS measures and monitors facility practices by collecting and reporting data from administrative records and survey responses from youths, staff and families to provide a holistic picture of the conditions and quality of life in residential facilities, highlights the practices that are effective in promoting youths’ healthy maturation and identifies those that are not. PbS data is reported every April and October. PbS trains staff to use the information to change practices and support reforms implementing the adolescent development approach.
Ramey-Estep Homes Residential Services Named Finalist for the 2019 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award
Performance-based Standards (PbS) is very pleased to announce Ramey-Estep Homes Residential Services in Rush, KY as one of the finalists for the 2019 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award in the community residential category. Ramey-Estep was selected as a finalist for their trauma-informed plan to improve youth safety and relationships with staff.
Results from the April 2018 data collection indicated that some youth reported feeling unsafe, feeling staff used unfair discipline and feeling staff were disrespectful toward them. All of the identified areas were of concern and the team made a commitment to improve on each one.
Ramey-Estep addressed the issues by ensuring youth knew their rights and were educated on the grievance procedure. All staff were trained in trauma-informed care and various treatment interventions. To promote safety and communication of needs and wants in a respectful manner, staff identified various outlets for youths.
As a result of their efforts, the program saw improvements between 6% and 18% on each of the youth survey questions in the identified areas and continues to strive to be a model environment of trauma-informed care for youth and staff.
The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities for young offenders has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating all youths in custody as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans to change practices that results in positive outcomes for youths, staff and families.
Winners of the award will be announced the night of the ceremony on Aug. 2, 2019. Stay tuned for more blogs about the 2019 finalists.
Ramey-Estep Homes Residential Services staff
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PbS has been a partner in assisting this facility to become a dynamic work environment that is not satisfied with maintaining the status quo.