NCJ Number
202804
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 65 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 20,22
Date Published
October 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Denver-based Girls’ Assets Program which is designed to offer therapeutic mentoring to females on probation.
Abstract
The Girls’ Assets Program provides both residential and community-based treatments to adolescents and their families. This article describes the role of a therapeutic mentor as master-level therapists who works with girls who are at risk of re-offending. Implemented in 2001 by Jefferson County, CO, the Girls’ Assets Program focuses on assets or protective factors which protect youths from high-risk antisocial behaviors including substance abuse, dropping out of school, delinquency, and violence. Focusing on a nurturing relationship between the youths and their role models/mentors is a key component for the Girls’ Assets Program. The article describes external assets as those positive resources that teens need in their lives such as support and empowerment, and defines internal assets as positive attributes that teens need internally, such as social competency and a positive self-image. Following a brief discussion of the ways in which the mentoring is conducted, the article shares mentoring success stories and indicates that the therapeutic mentors in the Girls’ Assets Program have effectively served more than 50 at-risk adolescent girls on probation since the beginning of the program.