The GAP Program

GAP staff consists of a qualified professional staff experienced in working with girls and their unique gender-specific issues. The GAP Facilitators meet with the girls frequently to conduct group and individual sessions. They are knowledgeable in the area of delinquency and trained on issues pertinent to girls in the detention center and the juvenile justice system. Girls are voluntarily admitted to the program.

Gender-Specific Group Sessions

GAP uses a group facilitation model that combines the Motivational Interviewing approach with Solution Focused practices.

This type of group work is based on the "all in the same boat" philosophy of group membership wherein "I help myself when I help you". Particularly for female adolescents whose identification with the peer group is intense, the power of the group is especially effective. By definition open-ended groups are in constant flux with group members coming and going. Therefore the group culture is the only solid constant that the facilitator can utilize. It is the facilitator's role to develop group cohesion and an empowering group culture that reciprocally influences the group and the individual group member. Solution Focused practices are based on the assumption that people can, and do, overcome by discovering the considerable power within themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. Solution Focused approaches identify, assess, and amplify strengths rather than deficits. The majority of detained girls have been sexually traumatized and focusing on stories of resilience helps group leaders to avoid the possibility of inadvertently re-traumatizing the group member.

Group facilitators assume that individual group members are the experts on their own lives. Additionally, some unrecognized healthy patterns already exist and when recognized by the group and the facilitator, these healthy patterns lead to solution building. Finally, change is an inevitable part of living and facilitators help identify naturally occurring changes and then utilize them to bring about solutions. The facilitator places less emphasis on the past, except for descriptions of the past in the present. This reflects how group members are living their lives in the present and hopefulness is a natural by product.

Group sessions cover topics relevant to the girls and may include: Sexual Education; Female Development; Independent Living Skills to Undermine Dependence; Health, Hygiene, Physical Health and Nutrition; Females' Achievements and Contributions to the World; Gang Affiliation; Artistic Ability; Alcohol and Substance Abuse; Conflict Resolution; Academic Performance; Sex-role Messages; The Female Perspective, Self-Acceptance and Self-Esteem; Support Systems; Relationships; Technology and Computers; Victimization; Violence; Coping with Illness, Death and Grief.

Gender-Specific One-on-One Sessions

GAP staff may provides one-on-one sessions, which provide the opportunity for the girls to ask questions and voice any concerns that she may not feel comfortable asking in a group session. The one-on-one sessions provide a safe environment to build a trusting relationship with the GAP Facilitator.

A one-on-one session initiates relationship-based services by including an open discussion of the client's needs in reference to her individual situation. A plan is formulated in which the different community services and agencies are presented that might best be able to serve those needs identified by the girl, GAP Facilitator, Parents/Guardian or others. The girl has an opportunity to have input into the type of services that she requires both while in detention and upon release. The GAP Facilitator discusses with the girl how the plan can be implemented.

Gender-Specific Individual Services

Upon request by the girls or others involved in her case, the GAP Facilitator may attend court proceedings, attend DJJ staffings and participate in disposition hearings.

Upon request by the girls and when deemed appropriate, the GAP Facilitator may facilitate a session between the girls and their parents/guardians for the purpose of improving communications, increasing family unification and to discuss aftercare plans with the objective of promoting a successful reentry.

GAP Facilitators engage directly with parents/guardians to inform them of issues related to the girls during their stay in detention and to involve them in the development of aftercare plans.