RBT Program Components

Washtenaw County Juvenile Detention

Orientation

Laying the Foundation of RBT

Orientation Introduction• Read Introduction Page to Youth• Highlight incentive opportunities:

Points, Pluses, Coupons• Youth demonstration of time out• Issue Orientation Manual• Set up youth in UNLOCKED room

to study Orientation Manual and complete Orientation Quiz

• Provide assistance if reading is difficult for youth

• If any questions are answered incorrectly, advise youth of answers and point them in the right direction to find them in Orientation Manual

• Be sure to get pencil back and then have youth join programming

Intake / Admission

Shower

Read RBT Paragraph to

Youth

Youth sample Timeout

Issue Orientation Manual

Youth study Orientation Manual

in UNLOCKED room

Orientation Test

Pass Fail

Staff review test with

youth

BEGIN RBT PROGRAM

Orientation Training Module

Orientation Quiz• Follows word for word through the

Orientation Manual• Covers basics and FAQ of program• Complete Quiz in room• Must answer all questions correctly before

entering program• Staff provide assistance as necessary• Place in youth file after completion

Points and Levels

Constantly Earning

Points• Earned continuously for expected “Target

Skills”• Earning evaluated by Youth Counselor – 7

periods per 24 hrs plus room points• Zero points earned when out of program

(on timeout, isolation, room restriction)• Pro-rate point earning based on time out

of program

Points• Establish proper mindset - EARNING• Youth are teenagers, some behaviors to be

expected• Goal: allow youth to earn as many points as

possible• 190 points possible in 24 hour earning period• Avoid Double-Dipping• Maintain consistency with both youth and

staff

Target Skills• Ignore

– Acting as though you are not aware of an inappropriate behavior at all

• Cooperate / Participate– Working together and helping one another

• Talk– Having appropriate and positive conversations that are

considerate of others and encourage others to act and talk appropriately

• Area– Leaving areas clean, asking permission to move, and

being prepared and on time for activities• Gestures

– Displaying positive communication through body language

Point Sheet• One sheet per youth

per day• Tracks all points,

pluses, timeouts, and coupons for one day

• Period breakdowns• Up after showers

checkpoint• Comments section• Pro-rating guide• Earning Key

Point Sheet Earning Key5 – Meets expectations consistently4 – Mostly meets expectations w/ consistent

effort3 – Sometimes meets expectations2 – Seldom meets expectations but shows

effort1 – Seldom meets expectations w/ no effort0 – Out of program (timeout, isolation, RR)

Point Sheet Pro-rating• 2-3 hour earning periods• Approximately 30 minutes ~ 1 point• Youth out of program 1 hour during

earning period ~ 3 points maximum in each target skill youth had NO problem in

• Possibly less in specific target skill that earned out of program time

Using the Point Sheet1. Fill in youth name and date2. Keep Point Sheets in Unit Group Book3. Review and enter points earned each

period (3 per waking shift)4. File completed sheets in group log at end

of PM shift5. Midnight staff enter data from completed

Point Sheets into database

What do the Points Do?• Points directly impact a youth’s level

– 190 points possible each day– Level 3 is average of 171 to 190 points per day– Level 2 is average of 152 to 170 points per day– Level 1 is average below 152 points per day

• Points earn time up after showers– 100 points are needed out of 125 up to that point

to get up after showers. This does not include room points.

– Regardless of level, if a youth does not earn 75 points before showers that day, they DO NOT GET BACK UP.

Points and Levels• Levels are based on a weekly total number

of points– Level 1 = under 1064 pts– Level 2 = 1064 to 1196 pts– Level 3 = 1197 to 1330 pts

• Point week begins and ends at 7 am Thursday

• Level changes and privileges take effect upon completion of appropriate Level Advancement Quiz

• Must earn within point range to achieve level, regardless of admit within cycle

Level Advancement Quizzes• Orientation Quiz taken in room immediately

following admit process• Level 2 and Level 3 quizzes taken Thursday

AM, prior to leaving the unit after hygiene• Youth takes appropriate quiz corresponding

with level earned through earning points the previous week

• Reasonable opportunity provided to correct mistakes Thursday AM to facilitate level advancement

• Quizzes corrected and filed by Youth Counselor

Contract Goals & Pluses

Weekly Incentives for making progress

Contract Goals• Must be achievable• Must be specific• Must be measurable• Must be able to identify youth by goal

alone• May use percentages (ex. Youth lines

up quietly 80% of the time)• May still earn + for goal if applicable

when youth involved in incident

Pluses• Earn up to 2 pluses per day for

achieving Contract Goal• Progress reviewed at Afternoon and

Evening Group meetings• Youth input, but Counselor ultimate

decision maker• Must earn 11 pluses to attend Unit

Plus Party (regardless of entry day)

Contract Goal Door Sheet

• Sheets placed on each youth door• Counselor marks + or – and comments following the Afternoon and Evening Group Meetings• Sheets used each Thursday Afternoon Group Meeting to determine if access to the Unit Plus Party is earned

Contract Goals

Better Goals1. Aaron will accept staff re-direction

when angry2. Randy will attempt to calm down on

his own before escalating3. Carlos will not engage in negative

behavior when influenced by peers4. Frank will line up without having to be

directed by staff5. Ardell follow directions from staff

without questioning the staff’s reasoning

6. Felicia will focus on herself, and not have conversations about the issues of others

Weak Goals1. Aaron should respect staff2. Randy should stay calm3. Carlos should ignore4. Frank should line up correctly5. Ardell should follow directions6. Felicia should not talk so

much

New contract goals made every Thursday at Afternoon Group meeting with Counselors from AM, PM, and Swing present

Coupons & Store

Immediate Rewards

Coupons• How to issue a coupon

– Emphasis on earning– Entire coupon must be filled out– One coupon ~ a little treat

• Consistency– Performing above expectations– Positive reinforcement– NOT A BRIBE

• Tracking of coupons– Record coupons on Point Sheet

Store• Nightly, from 8 to 8:30 pm• Only 2 groups in dayroom at a time

– One group receiving store, one group receiving snack

• One counselor operates the store, other counselor watches both groups

• Groups switch and then exit dayroom• Next 2 groups enter dayroom, process repeats• Youth may take store items to the unit,

however they must remove all food from their room prior to bedtime

Thursdays

The Detention Week Beginning and End

Thursday Tasks• Issue proper Level Advancement Quiz based on

previous weeks total points after hygiene• Grade Level Advancement Quizzes, adjust levels

accordingly• Goal setting Group Meeting from 1:35 to 2:25

with all Counselors• Complete previous Weekly Assessment and start

new Weekly Assessment at Meeting• Unit Plus Party access determined for Thursday

Afternoon

Unit Plus Party• Must earn 11 out of 14 possible

Pluses• Thursday Evening• Special Dinner / Desert• Separate activities

– Playstation– Bingo– Additional Recreation– Latest Bedtime

Time outs

An Opportunity to Think

TIME OUT• Five minutes• Not a punishment• In the activity• Time to reflect and refocus• Stand facing the wall at designated spot• Ignore everyone except staff talking to you• Time out of regular programming means no

coupons and may affect points and plus marks as well.

• Accurately identify why time out was earned• Return to regular programming.

SHORT-TERM TIME OUT• Up to 30 minutes away from activity in

unlocked room• If unsuccessful completing five minute

time out after three attempts • Return to serve the original five minute

time out• Return to regular programming• No coupons when out of programming;

points and pluses may be affected

EXTENDED TIME OUT• Up to 60 minutes away from

programming in unlocked room• Thinking Report• Return to activity to successfully serve

original five minute time out• Return to regular programming• No coupons when out of programming;

points and pluses may be affected

ROOM RESTRICTION• Most severe loss of programming time• Most egregious outright behaviors

OR• Refusal to comply with time out process listed

previously.• In locked room.• Thinking Report• Isolation from programming once removed from

room restriction status• Group meeting re-entry• No coupons when out of programming; points and

pluses may be affected

DIS-INVOLVEMENT• Clear expectations delineated ahead of

time and repeated• Kids do the thinking for themselves• Staff remain emotionally neutral during

time out process• No cajoling, prodding, convincing, shaming

or threatening• Concentrate on youth showing appropriate

behavior• Establish consistent threshold beyond

simple 5 minute time out

A B C D

5 MinuteTime Out

Ask Youth Why

Accurate Response

Inaccurate Response

IN PROGRAM(ONLY time coupons, pluses, or points are earned)

2nd Inaccurate Response

3rd Inaccurate Response

Inform Youth why Time Out was earned

Short Time OutLess than 30

min.

Youth ready to serve 5 min. Time

Out

Yes

No

Ask Youth Why

Accurate Response

Inaccurate Response

Extended Time OutLess than 60 min.

Youth completes Thinking Report

Review Thinking Report with staff

Review Thinking Report with

group

Room Restriction

15 min. checks

Hourly AssessSUP/DPI

Youth completes Thinking Report

Review Thinking Report with staff

Isolation up to 24 hrs

Review Thinking Report with

group

Time Out Flowchart

Group Meetings

RBT Tools

General Staff Guide for Groups

• At beginning of group: Review group expectations, introduce group topic and set goal for group

• Introduce yourself and allow new members to introduce themselves. Use icebreaker if needed

• Resolve any tension between group members before entering group topic• Use the group ball to control conversation and reduce interruption and talking out of

turn• Observe group process and interpret what is happening back to the group, like

dominating, withdrawing, problem behaviors, story telling, hostility, etc…• Work on group dynamics as necessary, reinforce appropriate task oriented behaviors

like initiating, seeking information, giving information, clarifying and summarizing• Time out inappropriate behavior immediately• Ask for positive feedback at the end of the group• Assess weekly goal for the time period since the last group by getting feedback on

each individual’s progress from the group• If adverse situations alter the group schedule, pick up at the next group meeting, do

not push activities back, as it creates a difficult situation for other Counselors on the team

• Provide youth with time after group to make visual aids of concepts covered in group

Group Training Module

Group Meeting Rules• Chairs circled up• Sit up in chair• Listen quietly• No interrupting• Only speak with the ball or with staff permission• Only pass the ball. Do NOT throw it.• Only use “I” statements• Tell the truth at all times• Stay positive• No slang• No laughing• Be respectful at all times• Only RBT group papers/folder allowed in meeting• Stay seated at all times

Confidentiality StatementBegin each group with this statement:

It is important to remember that information and things talked about during the group are not confidential. This means that you cannot assume that anything youth talk about may be kept secret. You should not reveal any personal information about why you are here in detention during the group. If the things we talk about bother you or you become upset over something that is discussed, you can tell me.

Remind youth about lack of confidentiality if group begins to reveal personal information

Keep group focused on activities and behaviors in detention, RBT, and Social Skills topics

4 Step Process to Group Meeting

• Set the stage– Use specific example that can be addressed

using an RBT Tool• Define and Teach the Concept

– Allow youth to present RBT Tool with aide from Counselor

• Role-play or Activity– Act out situation and how RBT Tool applies

• Analyze and Apply to Life– Provide feedback on role play and concept,

relate to real world examples

Stop, Look, Listen

Slow down situational thinking

AFROG

Check for Rational Thinking

ABCDE

Thinking Report

SAFER

Differentiating between wants and needs

Weekly Goal Review for each Youth

• Youth presents goal and states whether or not they achieved goal for time period

• Counselor asks for “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” signal from group members to approve or disprove goal achievement

• Comments are invited by Counselor, youth must have ball to comment

• Counselor makes ultimate decision whether goal achieved

• Remaining youth present goals in same process

Closing ritual• 3 claps• Thoughts, Feelings, Behavior

Wrap up• Roles

– Counselors– Business Office– Administration

• Follow up and Training– October RBT review

• Level 2 quiz• WOW