L.E.A.P. - Abraxas Youth & Family Services

L.E.A.P.Leadership Experiential Adventure ProgramAn integral part of the Leadership Development Program and Abraxas Youth & Family ServicesP.O. Box 354, South Mountain, PA 17261 (717) 749-7440Tell me and I will forgetShow me and I may rememberInvolve me and I will understand~Chinese ProverbWhat is encompassed in leap programming?The leap department provides experiential learning opportunities forclients in the leadership development program. programmingDirectly supervised by the leap department includes experientialeducation, adventure programming, community service, vocationalprogramming, and workforce development projects.Who Participates inL.E.A.P.?LEAP is an integral part of theAbraxas Leadership DevelopmentProgram. Almost all clientswho enter LDP choose to becomeinvolved in basic LEAP activitiessuch as team builders, trustactivities, and low challengecourse activities. Selection foractivities that require moretechnical training andresponsibility due to the higherrisk involved (rock climbing forexample) depend on the clientsmeeting their clinical andeducational goals as well astheir behavioral progressionthrough the program.Management of RiskLeap’s Plan for the managementof risk includes: On site Wilderness FirstResponders Qualified instructorsperforming best practices. Participant instruction Safety briefings Full Value Contracts Appropriate instructor toparticipant ratios Aee accreditation andinspections for best practice

L.E.A.P. is an AEE accredited Program.“Attaining accredited status through the AEEAccreditation Program is solid evidence of anorganization’s commitment to quality andsafety, belief in professional standards, andallocation of resources toward continuedexcellence and improvement. Programs thatachieve accredited status can be confidentthat they meet or exceed recognized industrystandards”. For more information on AEECheck out their website: www.aee.orgWhat is Experiential Education?Experiential Education is a philosophy and methodology inwhich educators purposefully engage with learners in directexperience and focused reflection in order to increaseknowledge, develop skills and clarify values. L.E.A.P. usesexperiential education and real world experiences toreinforce the social skills, values, and clinical goals setforth in the Abraxas Leadership Development Program.What is the vocationalprogram and how doesit work?Clients have the opportunityduring their stay at ldp toparticipate in vocationalprogramming as they arechosen. The educationalfocus is horticulture,landscaping, and greenhouseoperations. Projects aredone throughout the year toteach clients pertinent skillsrelated to this field to beutilized in potential jobopportunities’ upon release.These skills are captured inthe client’s portfolios forfuture marketingLDP IS PACTT AffiliatedTHE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMIC AND CAREERTECHNICAL TRAINING HAS AWARDED LDP ANDTHE CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION TRACKSAT LDP WITH AFFILIATION STATUS. THISSTATUS REINFORCES THAT THEEMPLOYABILITY SKILLS THAT ARE TAUGHT TOALL CLIENTS ARE GIVING THEM THE CUTTINGEDGE EDUCATION TO GO OUT INTO THEWORKFORCE AND GAIN EMPLOYMENT.

Community service andrestitution programmingCommunity Service atLDPCERTIFICATIONSCLIENTS CAN EARN RED CROSSFIRST AID/CPR RED CROSSBABYSITTINGCOURSE OSHA 10 SERVSAFE MICROSOFTOFFICEPRODUCTSMany opportunities to earncommunity service hours areavailable for clients while atldp. On every occasion,community serviceprogramming prides itself inteaching experientialeducation and barj principlesto our clients whoparticipate. Examples ofprojects that have beencompleted have directlyimpacted, raised awareness,and on several occasionsraised charitable donationsto organizations such as:The salvation armyAmerican heartassociationAmerican cancerassociation (breastcancer awareness)H 2 O for AfricaJason Williams huntfoundationSouth MountainRestoration CenterASPCAAnd Many MoreRestitution Opportunities at LDPWhile at LDP, students have the opportunity to participate in restitution programming wherehe/she can earn up to $200 in stipend which is paid to the direct care of the placing county.In keeping with the experiential education philosophy, all restitution opportunities are morethan just contributing work to the community. These tasks also serve as an opportunity forclients to earn money while giving back to the community and being taught vocational skillsand labor to enhance his or her portfolio and employability following the program.

Common LEAP AdventureActivities IncludeTeam buildersTrust Building ActivitiesLow Challenge CourseHigh Challenge Course600’ Zip LineRock ClimbingRappellingCanoeingBack PackingHistorical Tour TripsOvernight CampingCavingL.E.A.P Mission StatementTo develop an awareness of communitywhile promoting individualresponsibility, accountability, andcharacter development throughexperiential education and adventureprogramming.The Mountains are the means,The Man is the end.The goal is not to reachThe tops of mountains,But to improve the man-William BonattiItalian Climber

how and what clients are eligible for leap programming?All clients of the leadership development program are eligible to participate inall aspects of the leap programming. The extent of programming will bedetermined based on client’s length of stay, behavioral progress, provider’srequested services, and clinical and educational assessment and progressHow is risk associated with adventure programming mitigated and what training dostaff have to facilitate these activities?There exists a certain level of risk associated with all adventure programming.This risk is mitigated in the leap programming through several methods to includeappropriate staff training and certifications, internal and external inspections,and accreditation in best practice standards by the association of experientialeducation. Staff certifications include wilderness first responder bywilderness medical associates, lifeguarding and water safety by the American RedCross, First aid/cpr/aed instructor by the American Red Cross, Flat-waterCanoe Instructor by the American Canoe Association, Top Rope Site Manager byEarthtreks Inc., and numerous other rock-climbing and high angle certificationsby outside agencies.How do clients receive credit for vocational and employability skills learnedwhile at LDP?Upon intake, each client receives a portfolio which he/she is responsible formaintaining under the oversight of the education and leap staff. This portfolioserves to capture all vocational task grids and skills learned, employabilitydocumentation, certifications, and educational progress for a client duringhis/her stay. The standards for this process is validated through best practicestandards from the Pennsylvania Alliance for Career and Technical Training.Upon Discharge, clients will take this portfolio to aid them in personaladvancement for successful living and gaining future employment.How does a client participate in community service and restitution programmingwhile at LDP?All clients are eligible for participation in restitution and community serviceprogramming while at LDP. Extent of participation is determined by amount of timeor money owed, length of stay at the program, and behavioral and educationalcompliance and progress. Community service projects are always experientialeducation and BARJ oriented and hours are communicated back to the county viathe clients clinical and discharge reports. Clients who owe restitution areeligible to earn up to $200 in stipend. At the end of each month of participation,check requests are submitted through LDP and checks are cut for the amountowed and sent directly to the office of finances for the clients account.For more information on leap programming contactthe LEAP Manager, Shane Sloat or the LeadershipDevelopment Program Manager at 717-749-7440 orssloat@abraxasyfs.com, cschmidt@abraxasyfs.com