When the Court refers youth to our residential programs, we give them a chance to discover the root causes of their delinquency and behavior, examine the choices they have made and acquire the tools they need to make better choices. They can start down a new path, one that leads to a productive, healthy life.

As part of New York City’s Close to Home initiative, which allows court-involved young people to be placed in residential programs closer to their families and communities, we partner with the Administration for Children’s Services to support young men and women in two Non-Secure Placement (NSP) and two Limited Secure Placement (LSP) programs in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Based on the determination of a Family Court Judge, a youth comes to either an NSP or LSP depending on the youth’s risk level. Youth who are considered lower risk are generally placed in the NSP program, a less restrictive setting. Youth who are considered higher risk are typically placed in LSP homes, which have more security features to ensure the safety of the residents and the communities.

Finding positive paths forward

Using the Missouri Approach, a proven model to reduce recidivism, we create a supportive community of peers within our residential programs. Youth hold one another responsible for their actions, and the community of peers helps each other hone skills in making positive choices.

Youth participate in individual, family, and group therapy as well as continue their schooling. They learn how to resolve conflicts and deal with challenges while working toward their middle and high school diplomas. Through community partnership opportunities and therapeutic recreation, our youth also discover new talents and build self-esteem.

Rising Ground is committed to providing safe environments for youth in our care. To support this commitment Rising Ground has created Safe Environmental Standards to ensure its Limited Secure Placement (LSP) program. Read more here.

Our community-based respite program uses an evidence-based model to reduce recidivism for youth who would otherwise increase their involvement with the juvenile justice system. It is an effective alternative to incarceration.

Look Forward, Not Back

Everything the young people in our program do is focused on successful re-entry into the community. We help them keep in touch with the positive aspects of family by bringing parents and caregivers to see them. With a clear understanding of themselves, recidivism drops.

In our juvenile justice programs, young people gain the confidence and skills they need to rise above the challenges they face.