​​​​Judge Robert Brown
Jackson County Juvenile Home

416 E. Walnut Street Brownstown, IN 47220  Ph: 812-358-5180

​Meet Walter, our resident dog

Walter is a great loveable and friendly dog for the home.  He craves attention and being loved on.  Walter is a little shy at first but warms up quickly.

We love animals here and often staff bring their own dogs.

​​​Program Description

The Robert Brown Jackson County Juvenile Home serves adolescent boys referred by the Indiana Department of Child Services and/or probation after being declared CHINS or delinquent. Our facility is a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) and is CARF accredited.

Residents live in a structured, non-secure, community-based group home staffed 24 hours a day. Youth learn positive behavior in a family-style setting through interaction, encouragement, and consistent support from caring staff in a nurturing environment. All residents are assigned both individual and communal responsibilities. Positive behavior and progress are reinforced through earned privileges and cash allowances.

Residents are taught essential life skills including food and nutrition awareness, safety practices, personal hygiene, laundry, environmental maintenance, and respectful cohabitation. Each resident completes daily chores and learns to function cooperatively as part of a group. Youth are encouraged to participate in school and community-based activities, including organizations such as Boy Scouts and 4-H. Residents regularly attend community events and may serve as volunteers when appropriate.

All front-line staff are trained to work with residents in a positive, therapeutic manner. Staff are educated in evidence-based techniques to facilitate effective engagement with youth and are trained in emergency procedures. Trauma-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) serves as the foundation of our therapeutic model. Clinical staff and residential staff collaborate to reinforce therapeutic strategies consistently throughout daily programming.

Residents attend public school at Brownstown Central and are encouraged to participate in sports, clubs, dances, and other extracurricular activities. Structured study time and tutoring are provided daily. Youth who are not on track to graduate high school are enrolled in GED programming. Upon completion, staff assist residents in exploring post-secondary options including college, vocational training, trade school, or military service.

All residents receive individualized treatment services, including individual, group, and family therapy as applicable. The individual therapist utilizes a trauma-based cognitive behavioral framework and provides guidance to staff to ensure continuity of care. Family therapy focuses on identifying and addressing barriers to reunification. Telecommunication services and transportation assistance are provided when needed to support consistent family engagement. When reunification is not possible, therapists work with prospective placements to facilitate a stable and permanent transition.

Residents participate in educational and preventative substance use services, including the PRIME For Life program, which is offered twice annually. Youth with identified substance use concerns receive enhanced services such as individual counseling, 12-step involvement, sponsorship, and targeted relapse prevention planning. All services are individualized based on each resident’s behavioral presentation and underlying needs.

Older youth participate in a structured Independent Living program designed to prepare them for adulthood. Services include employment readiness, job placement assistance, financial literacy, community resource navigation, and post-secondary planning. The program often collaborates with external partners such as DSI, Workforce One, and Collaborative Care providers. Much of the independent living training occurs within the community, where residents gain practical experience navigating local systems and services. Guest speakers and community professionals regularly contribute to the program. Our goal is to coordinate all aspects of transition planning so each young man leaves our care equipped for independence, reduced reliance on public systems, and long-term success.

Program Participation & Accountability

Successful participation in the Robert Brown Jackson County Juvenile Home requires voluntary engagement from each resident. While the program provides structure, supervision, and therapeutic support, meaningful progress depends on a youth’s willingness to participate in treatment, education, behavioral expectations, and skill development.

Residents who demonstrate ongoing criminogenic behaviors, refuse participation in services, or undermine the therapeutic environment may not benefit from this level of care. In such cases, the treatment team collaborates with referring agencies to evaluate continued placement and determine whether an alternative or higher level of intervention is more appropriate to ensure safety and effective treatment outcomes.