The R.O.A.D.S. (Rethinking Our Attitudes and Decisions about Safety) is a residential treatment program for boys, ages 8 – 14.  The program is designed to meet the need for mental health services for youth who exhibit physical aggression and socially inappropriate behaviors, which due to their severity require the intense supervision and intervention of residential treatment.

This is done by assisting children in developing their own goals and internal resources to control their own behavior so that they can successfully return to their families and communities. 

The program goals include:

• Taking responsibility for behavior
• Understanding the offense cycle
• Increased empathy for victims
• Prevention of future inappropriate sexual behavior

The therapeutic approach utilizes interventions that aim at helping the client take responsibility for their actions, understand the offense cycle, develop empathy, and prevent further inappropriate behaviors from occurring.  The importance of the child's family in their treatment is emphasized and strongly encouraged.

Treatment in the program is strength and health based, and the treatment experience is framed as a time of transition in which the youth and family change their view of themselves and their experiences from one of failure and problems to one of success and solution.  During their stay in the R.O.A.D.S program, youth are able to practice new strategies for maintaining safe and appropriate behaviors.  Focus is placed on a client's successes, not failures.  Problems are viewed as opportunities to practice new strategies and solutions. 

The client's family is expected to participate is this process whenever possible.  The family is involved in treatment planning and in the development of client and family goals.  The aim of the program is to work with children and families rather than work on them. 

Population:
Males — 8 to 14 years of age; referals for boys ages 6 & 7 will be considered

Services Provided:

• Counseling Sexually Aggressive Behavior
• Family Counseling
• Diagnostic Assessment
• Individual Treatment Planning
• Educational Services
• Medical Services
• Psychiatric & Psychological Assessment (as needed)
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Group Counseling

Licensed by:
Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services

Contact:
Program Director, at 614-416-8794