About the Program
The Girls’ Rehabilitation Facility (GRF) is an intensive, highly structured program serving up to 50 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 1/2. GRF’s philosophy focuses on Cognitive Restructuring – that behavior is based on thought, attitudes, and beliefs. The goal is to provide a safe, structured, and caring environment, which promotes each girl’s personal growth. An individualized treatment plan is tailored for each girl addressing specific treatment needs to modify her behavior patterns and attitudes. Room confinement and markdowns have been replaced with Thinking Reports and Thinking Essays. This affords the wards the opportunity to think about their actions and to determine what they should have done to better control their behavior. The ultimate goal is for the minor to think with conscience before they act. The programs offered are designed to meet the personal, emotional, and educational needs of the girls placed by the Juvenile Court. Court commitments to the Breaking Cycles program range from 150 days to 365 days. An on-site, state-certified school operates 5 days a week meeting each girl’s educational needs. Tutoring is available for GED study and remedial work. The credits are transferable to all San Diego County school districts.
Visiting Information
Visiting hours are conducted twice weekly on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. Only parents or legal guardians are allowed to visit on these days. Small children and other friends and relatives are not allowed. No personal belongings (i.e. purses, cellular phones, backpacks, and sunglasses) are allowed. GRF and the Probation Department will not be responsible for any item left at the front counter. Outside mail or pictures are not allowed. All mail that comes into the facility must go through the United States Postal Service.
A list of clothing and supply items that may be brought to the girls while they stay at GRF can be viewed here.
Thursday hours are as follows:
5:30 - 6:00 PM Parent Orientation (one time only)
6:00 - 7:00 PM Family Counseling (doors are locked at 6:10 p.m.)
7:00 - 8:00 PM Visiting (doors will reopen and remain open until 8:00 p.m.)
Sunday hours are as follows:
8:30 - 9:00 AM Parent Orientation
9:00 - 10:00 AM Parent Empowerment (doors are locked at 10:10 AM)
10:00 - 11:00 AM Visiting (doors will reopen at 10:00 AM)
Parent Orientation gives GRF staff the opportunity to discuss with parents the program and the expectations for their child. Through this orientation, parents are given the information regarding their child’s program and all questions and concerns are addressed.
Family Counseling is provided by Spectrum every Thursday evening. This is a group session that offers parents additional tools and parenting tips to assist in the transition of the child back home. Those wishing to participate in individual family sessions should contact the GRF’s Mental Health staff.
Parent Empowerment offers additional tools to assist parents to help their child change their behavior that brought them before the Court.
Release Information
Two to three weeks prior to the wards scheduled release, her Probation Officer is notified and all the necessary paperwork is initiated. On the day of release, the ward is released to either her guardian or YDC/Reflections. The guardian is to bring release clothing the day she is released.
Programs
There are 5 phases that each ward must pass in order to be eligible for release. These phases are Boarding, Departure, Journey, Arrival, and Destination. Each phase has expectations, as well as earned privileges. Part of this requirement is that each ward completes all Task Curriculum- Autobiography, Offense Ownership, Victim Empathy, and Relapse and Recidivism Plan. Once they pass a phase they become eligible for the privileges of the next phase.
Treatment Components:
Each girl is assigned a staff counselor who is responsible for ensuring that the ward participates in the various programs which address her treatment needs. Currently, GRF provides the following programs:
- Positive Peer Culture
- Individual, Group, and Family Counseling
- Chemical Dependency Counseling
- Parenting Classes/ Baby Bonding
- Life Skills/Independent Living Skills
- Religious Services
- Gang Intervention Counseling
- Juvenile Court Book Club
- Team Leader Program
- Team Building/Competition
- Leadership Development
- Criminal Conduct Substance Abuse Treatment
- Aggression Replacement Training
- NA/AA Groups
- Arts and Crafts
- Self Esteem Group/Gender Specific Issues such as prostitution, eating disorders, relationship violence, etc.
- Girl Scouts
- Staff Excursions/ Family Excursions
- Character Counts
- Thinking For a Change
- Pet Therapy
- Conflict/Mediation Group
- Dental Hygiene Program
Excursions and Special Visits:
These are earned due to good behavior and completing all phases. These visits can occur any days but Sunday and Thursday due to visiting. Also, the special visit/excursion cannot be during school hours.
The ward is eligible for a “special visit” once she reaches the Journey Phase. They are conducted at GRF and parents are encouraged to bring siblings (inside the home, with school I.D. for ages 13 and over) and grandparents to this visit. The visit will last for one hour and outside packaged food such as fast food is allowed. The special visit must be pre-approved by the GRF Supervisor or Seniors and is done so through the ward's request.
The ward is eligible for a four-hour “excursion” once she reaches the Arrival Phase. This gives the parent and child an opportunity to spend time together in an outside setting. Girls are limited to either Fashion Valley or Mission Valley mall for this pass. Again, siblings and grandparents are encouraged to attend. An excursion form must be completed prior to leaving. Excursions must be pre-approved with the GRF Supervisor and are done so through the ward's request. At the time of the excursion the parent/guardian must show a valid drivers license and proof of car insurance. Guardians who do not have a valid drivers license and proof of car insurance must reschedule the excursion.
When the ward reaches “Destination” she is eligible for an eight-hour excursion. The eight-hour excursion is in preparation for the reunification of the family. Girls can choose the location with the exception of any private home and they must remain in San Diego County. Again, siblings and grandparents are encouraged to attend.
**GRF staff may go out and check on the wards while on excursions. Wards are given a check-in/call-in time and they must be at the designated meeting location. If staff is not at the designated meeting place, the ward must immediately phone GRF to check in. Should a ward choose not to follow the excursion guidelines, she will lose all privileges and could be temporarily removed to Juvenile Hall.
Relapse Bed/Drug Court Commits:
On occasion, wards are committed from Drug Court and Breaking Cycles Relapse. These wards complete a 21-28 day program and are released into the community on probation. While in GRF, they must complete eight relapse packets in addition to other relapse prevention work. Once their packets are complete, they are eligible to participate in the full program with the exception of personals and excursions. During their three-week stay, they attend group and individual counseling with a drug and alcohol specialist. They also participate in Criminal Conduct and Substance Abuse Treatment (CCSAT) and Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to visit my daughter?
A: The minor’s parent(s) or guardian unless specified in a Court order.
Q: If my daughter has a child or infant, is she allowed visit with them while she is in custody?
A: We will arrange a one-hour visit twice a week to allow the mother and child bonding time.
Q: How long is the program and when can I expect her to be released?
A: The program is ten to twelve weeks based on behavior.
Q: Whom do I contact if there is a family emergency?
A: Call GRF at (858) 694-4510, ask for the Supervisor or Senior Officers.
Q: Is my daughter required to attend school?
A: Every resident in GRF attends Sierra Vista school daily, excluding weekends. All of the credits she earned can be transferred to San Diego city schools. You can contact the school at (858) 694-4686.
Q: How long will my child be at Juvenile Hall if she is Administratively Removed (AR’d) from GRF.
A: It will depend on the severity of the situation. Typically, the average stay is 5 days.
Q: What can I send my daughter in the mail?
A: They can receive unlimited correspondence and appropriate photos. The photos cannot be gang related or refer to drugs and alcohol use. They cannot write to or receive mail from anyone in custody.
Q: Can I send my daughter calling cards?
A: No, unfortunately all calls have to be received collect.
Q: What can I do to support my child while she is in GRF?
A: Participate in family counseling, parent empowerment, visiting, accept their collect calls, and send encouraging mail.
