Residential Youth Homes

KYJO currently operates four Level 14 STRTP residential homes throughout Fresno and Clovis, California providing 24-hour care for young men and women (age 12-17 and non-minor dependents) who are wards of the juvenile court or social service system. Two of our homes care for young women, and the other two care for young men.

Many of these youth come from broken families and have a history of poor educational and social backgrounds. However, most of these young men and women have hope of avoiding escalating violence, drugs, and prison. We understand that all are unique in their own way and because of this, we give every child the best of care through our programs and services.

KYJO empowers youth to develop life skills and the self-confidence to change the destructive behavior that landed them in our care. Our goal is to prepare them to reunify with their families and re-enter society as productive members of their communities.

Positive exposure is a major component of our program. Relationships are built by our Executive Director and staff, guest speakers, professional athletes, and various members of the community who lend encouragement to our residents. We also conduct numerous activities and provide recreational opportunities throughout the year. These opportunities and outings consist of camping trips, sporting events, plays, musicals, museums, trips to theme parks, and much more.

Therapeutic Services

Many of the residents who are referred to KYJO have been abused, neglected, or committed a crime. Residents are placed through the Department of Children and Family Services and Juvenile Probation. KYJO’s residential treatment program provides 24-hour care by trained managers, child care workers, and therapists. We construct individual plans and counseling programs for each of our residents. In addition, residents receive specialty group or individual counseling programs based on their needs or individual treatment plan.

Individual Therapy

  • Processing consequences of choices
  • Processing family issues
  • Processing pain and hurt as a result of being removed from the home
  • Anger management services

Psychological / Psychiatric

  • Comprehensive psychological evaluation
  • Psychiatric and medication evaluation
  • Behavioral health services

Family Reunification

  • Strengthen family structure and boundaries
  • Improve communication between parents and children
  • Change unhealthy coalitions between parents and children
  • Meet with parents and children onsite or via telephone
  • Provide family therapy

Emancipation

  • Referral to employment services, such as Workforce Connection, Youth Build, Job Corp
  • Develop education plans to include completion of high school and/or further education
  • Refer for housing, medical, financial, and other social service programs that may be indicated at the time of program termination

Substance Abuse

  • Improved problem solving, social skills, and relapse prevention
  • Motivation and engagement
  • Drug Testing: Routine, Random, On-Demand

Thinking For A Change

The philosophy of this program endorses that offenders should be empowered to be responsible for changing their own problem behavior.

Try Another Way

The purpose of Try Another Way is to find better ways to serve female juvenile offenders. Most programs for juvenile offenders were designed for young men, but recent research has shown that female juvenile offenders often have key differences from their male counterparts.

Becoming A Man

Becoming A Man is a biweekly meeting aimed at providing youth with character development skills and mentorship. The group provides life lessons to our residents, as well as the ability to deal with common challenges faced by young men as they transition to adulthood.

Through the use of guest speakers, role playing, written homework assignments, and reflective group interaction, the Becoming A Man group exposes our residents to various life topics including but not limited to the following:

  • The importance of character
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Dealing with loss
  • Career/employment readiness
  • Decision-making
  • Developing appropriate relationships

Girl Talk

This program focuses on mentoring, coaching, and teaching youth about accountability, responsibility, leadership, respect, and how to mature, learn, and grow into good women.

Unity Peer Council

Elected residents and facilitators meet to promote Leadership Skills, Team Building, Life Skills, Self-Confidence, Coping Skills, Peer Mentoring, Self-Awareness, and Social Skills in a safe environment where residents can work together to send a positive message to the rest of KYJO’s residents.

Resident Programs

Want to keep our homes up to date?

Support A Home