Amicus | Partners Building New Lives



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Radius Community Photo Project

One of the projects girls involved with Radius are invited to participate in is developing a Community Photo Board, illustrating how they experience 'community' in their lives. Here are three examples from August 2010.

Relationship-based Services for Girls Staff and Bios About RADIUS: WHAT IS IT: Nationally known research-based program model for girls in the juvenile justice system, gender-specific with a focus on restorative justice. Currently serves girls in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties in both community-based and out-of-home settings. Also provides consulting and training in the area of working with girls. BY WHOM: By Amicus, a Minnesota non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with over 40 years of experience in assisting offenders to take up positive roles in their communities. HOW BIG: Currently serves more than 200 girls per year. Founded 2000. APPROACH: Relationship-based services that support, respect, and empower the whole person. Key tools include girls-only groups, individual counseling by a licensed therapist, restorative justice support circles, and referrals. GOAL: Girls come to terms with trauma and mental health issues, develop healthier relationships, link to positive assets, and are empowered with self-regulation skills and positive relationships. Girls stay in the community and make progress on their goal of a positive, healthy and stable lifestyle. Why RADIUS: Girls who get involved in delinquency have different needs than boys. Girls are more motivated by relationships, and their relationships often contribute to their behavior, good or bad. Girls are more likely to have unresolved trauma, abuse, or mental health issues. Girls are frequently resistant to interventions that work for boys. Cold, impassive "consequence" programs often make girls rebel or withdraw and are ineffective. Girls need relationship-based services that address their main issues and help them radiate strengths from within despite the challenges of life. RADIUS Program Elements: Girls Group. Weekly girls-only group addresses trauma and victimization, dealing with emotional pain, managing anger, accountability for choices, developing healthy relationships, and making choices to remain safe (15 weeks). Individual Counseling. Licensed therapist provides one-on-one therapy to provide support and help girls address current concerns. Support Circles. Restorative Justice Support Circles bring girls, families and support people together to have needed conversations and plan for the future. Support and Referral Services. RADIUS staff empower girls and families to access resources and provide support. Consulting and Training. RADIUS provides training and consulting to professionals interested in improving their services for girls. Outcomes for RADIUS: 77% of girls complete the program 94% success rate for program completers (no new petitions in the first six months after discharge) 100% of completers stayed out of placement for one year after discharge Girls and families report program "finally addressed the real issues" Girls improve school attendance, family relationships and personal stability Many girls stay involved with the program by choice after completion Highly trained (MA/MSW) and committed program staff maintain ongoing connections with girls and families How you can get involved with RADIUS: Refer a client to RADIUS services (Ramsey County probation program, Ramsey County JDC-to-Community program, Hennepin County, or District 287). Support the program with an individual, corporate or foundation grant. Work with RADIUS to train your staff and/or improve your girls' program model. Contract with Amicus to replicate the RADIUS program in your county. Radius Staff and Biographies
	Amelia Goodyear, MSW, LGSW Amelia is a licensed social worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota. Her educational background includes neuroscience and psychology which enables her to attain a holistic understanding of her clients. Amelia has experience in the mental health field with both children and adults. Amelia conducts weekly groups in both Ramsey and Dakota Counties and provides individual therapy for girls in the Ramsey County detention and community programs.
	Kasey Curtis, MA, LSW Kasey Curtis is a licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of Minnesota and holds a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has experience working with adults and youth in medical and school settings who are facing complex life challenges and transitions, and has a passion for working with families. She also speaks Spanish, which enables her to connect to and support the Latino community. Kasey primarily serves girls in the Community Program in Ramsey County.
	Jamie Nupen, MSW, LGSW Jamie is a licensed social worker with a Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. She has several years experience working with families in crisis, with an emphasis on children and adolescents. Jamie has specific interests in Restorative Justice and healing. Jamie primarily serves girls in the Hennepin County and North Vista programs.
	Bridget Sanders, BA Bridget Sanders has been in the Social Service field for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies from Metropolitan State University. She specializes in facilitating groups and developing community connections. Bridget primarily serves girls in Hennepin County and the North Vista program and provides additional support to Ramsey County services.

For more information, contact RADIUS Program Director Amelia Goodyear (612) 348-8570 ext. 25. We look forward to hearing from you!

Projects are funded/supported, in part, by the Office of Justice Programs through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Ramsey County and Hennepin County.