About

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

​​Program Description

The Robert Brown Jackson County Juvenile Home serves adolescent boys that have been referred to our program by the Indiana Department of Child Services and/or probation  after having been declared  CHINS or delinquent. Our facility is CARF accredited.

Residents of our community based group home live at the facility in a structured non-secure environment,  which is staffed 24 hours a day.  Residents learn positive behavior in a family-based setting through  interaction,  encouragement , and support by caring staff in a nurturing environment.  All residents are assigned responsibilities, both individual and communal.  Residents are rewarded for success through cash allowances and privileges within the home.  Residents are taught about food and nutrition, safety, and personal hygiene.  They are taught to do their own laundry, maintain their environment, and be respectful of other people living in the same space.  All residents do their share of chores and learn to work as a group.  Residents may participate in a variety of school and community based activities.  Residents have previously  participated in Boy Scouts and 4-H.  All residents are encouraged to sign up for school activities social events.  The boys are often taken to various community events, sometimes as volunteers.

All front-line staff are trained to work with residents in a positive and therapeutic style.  Staff are educated in various techniques to  facilitate working with children.  All staff are capable of tutoring and helping with homework and are trained to handle emergency procedures.  Staff receive training in Trauma-Based Cognitive-Behavior therapy as this is the underlying technique used in working with residents.

Residents attend public school at Brownstown Central.  They are encouraged to participate in all school activities including sports, clubs, and other activities including dances and the prom.  Tutoring is available during study time each day after school.  Residents who are unlikely to graduate high school due to age and standing are enrolled in GED classes.  After passing the GED, residents are often able to continue on with training and education through college, trade school or military options.  Staff assists with the exploration and application process of these options.

All residents receive individual, family, and group therapy as applicable.  Trauma-based cognitive behavior therapy is used by the individual therapist.  He  then advises staff as to how to best work with each individual child to amplify the work he does in therapy.  All other clinical staff tailor their treatment to fit within this model as well.

The family therapist works with existing family members to identify and resolve barriers to reunification.  In some cases, telecommunication is used to overcome transportation issues.  In most cases, we are able to provide some transportation to parents or guardians who have problems traveling to counseling sessions.  In the cases of boys not returning to their family, the therapist will work with a prospective new family to evaluate and facilitate the move to a more permanent home.

Group counseling is held weekly and serves primarily to manage the problems that arise with group living.  Problems are aired and dealt with in a calm and professional manner.  The group therapist also educates the boys on various topics as they become relevant to the current situation and discussion.

In addition, the residents all receive educational and preventative drug and alcohol services including the PRIME For Life program.  Boys with known drug problems receive more intensive services, including involvement with the 12- step program, individual counseling, and sponsorship.  In all cases, the services are individually tailored to the specific behavioral problems and underlying issues of each child.  The PRIME For Life course is given twice a year to all residents residing with us.

Older youth are enrolled in our Independent Living program where they learn the life skills necessary for success on their own.  Older children are assisted in obtaining employment sometimes with the aid of outside services such as DSI or Workforce One.  Many of our older residents enroll in the Collaborative Care program and may receive additional Independent Living services from outside providers.  Most of the programming for independent living takes place away from the home where the boys gain experience and knowledge in the community.  They are taken to the various community resources and are given a tour and explanation of how the various services and systems work.  Guest speakers are brought in on a regular basis.  We strive to coordinate the various facets of the transition to independence  so the boys become successful young men with minimal setback and steady progress on their journey away from public reliance.

​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.