Adrian Training School 2300 N. Adrian Hwy Adrian, MI  49221	Sandra Bow, Director (517) 264-1200 FAX: (517) 263-6290 BowS@Michigan.gov	Melvin Whitlow, Deputy Director (517) 264-1241 FAX: (517) 263-6290 WhitlowM@michigan.gov

Established by the Michigan Legislature in 1881, Adrian Training School (ATS) is located on a 55 acre campus at the northern edge of Adrian. ATS is operated by the Michigan Department of Human Services Bureau of Juvenile Justice. ATS is licensed to provide care for up to 80 young women, ages 12 to 21, who spend their time intensively working on issues that have resulted in destructive and self-defeating behaviors.

Mission

"The Adrian Training School provides safe and secure residential treatment services to young women and their families in the juvenile justice system with the goal of successful community re-entry."

An Overview of the Residents

Students at the Adrian Training School represent a wide spectrum of personal backgrounds and are referred from Circuit/Family Courts in all counties throughout Michigan. The average age is 15 to 16. There are 60 females primarily of European and African American descent. Many come from single-parent households. A majority of the students have more than two previous out-of-home placements. Some have children of their own. Despite this diversity, a number of common themes are found among ATS students including:

• History of severe sexual or physical abuse and neglect.
• History of multiple losses and unresolved grief.
• History of substance abuse by youth and or family members.
• Family problems.
• Patterns of self-destructive and suicidal behavior.
• Criminal behavior.
• Educational deficits.
• History of emotional disturbance or mental illness.

Adrian Training School provides them as safe a place as possible, a group and individuals where, and with whom, they can practice new ways of being. Families are encouraged to support and be involved in their treatment.

Treatment Opportunities

Adrian Training School seeks to provide female responsive programming that encourages healthy attitudes, behaviors and life-styles. Programming includes elements that build social competencies and boost girls' confidence and skills at the critical point of adolescence. They are given opportunities to get their development, which has been interrupted or delayed by risk factors, back on track and prepare them for a positive transition to the community. Key program elements and intervention strategies aim to help girls within the juvenile justice system by addressing issues in the context of their relationships to peers, family, school and community.

A wide variety of treatment opportunities are available including group, individual and family therapies, substance abuse treatment, 12-step program, art therapy and expressive and experiential interventions. Psychiatric and psychological services are provided. All students receive education regarding reproductive health and HIV/Aids/pregnancy prevention. In addition, there are two specialized treatment groups. The first is a weekly therapy group for students who have committed sexual offenses or engaged in harmful sexual behaviors. The second is West Williams cottage that serves up to ten youths with severe mental health issues.

Young Women Living S.M.A.R.T. (Strong, Manageable, Abstinent, Realistic, True to Self) is a substance abuse recovery program designed for young women based on identifying strengths, managing problems, and working towards realistic goals, while assisting the young women in being true to themselves through abstinence.  This program strives to decrease the harmful effects of substance use with the ultimate goal of total abstinence by providing chemical dependency services to the residents of ATS. 

Know, Learn, Practice, Plan

Know, Learn, Practice, Plan is a part of the total treatment experience at Adrian Training School. We operate under the premise that there is a part of each student that wants to change and have a more rewarding life. The process starts with their dream for the future and helps them identify destructive and self-defeating behavior patterns that will get in the way of achieving their goals. They will be assisted to figure out things that happened to them and influenced their development of destructive and self-defeating behaviors so they can change their behavior patterns. Students are helped to assess their past and current relationships so they can get help in changing their unhealthy relationships while strengthening their healthy ones.

Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ)

The goal of the ATS restorative justice program is reconciliation. The restorative justice approach maintains that restoration of all affected parties-offender, victim, and community-should be the aim of the juvenile justice system. In addition to the focus on reconciliation, BARJ stresses the importance of: (a) holding offenders accountable for harm caused and (b) enhancing the competency of juveniles. Typical BARJ components include community service, victim-offender mediation, restitution, and family group conferencing.

Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA)

Community Connection

With part of our mission being successful community re-entry, Adrian Training School has a network of community partners and volunteers who help our students stay connected. The Citizens Advisory Action Council (CAAC) is a volunteer group of citizens who act as liaisons between ATS and the community. We believe this is necessary to meet the educational, informational, therapeutic, cultural, restorative, and personal interest needs of our residents.

Academics

The ATS educational program is delivered by certified teachers who hold high academic expectations and who collaborate with the treatment teams and families. Small class sizes (12 and under) by grade level enables instruction to focus on the special needs and individual goals of students. Special education services are provided as well. The core curriculum includes English, mathematics, and social studies. Tutorial services are provided in reading and math. GED instruction and testing are available to those students who are eligible. Other classes include health & physical education, science, computers, computer repair, fine art, performance arts, pre-employment & life-skills.

Religious Expression

Students may attend weekly, voluntary, non-denominational services with an opportunity to assume leadership roles in singing and public speaking. Community religious leaders actively participate.

Medical Services

A full compliment of medical services are offered at the campus clinic including general health screening, immunizations, dental services, and referral to specialists when indicated. AIDS/HIV counseling and testing are also available. Pregnant teens are also served at ATS and the local hospital.