(Source: TYC)

Date: June 5, 2008

TYC to Close Aggression Management Program

AUSTIN - The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) announced it has closed its Aggression Management Program (AMP), a restrictive and long-term isolation program for assaultive youth, effective June 1, 2008. It is also changing its Behavior Management Program (BMP) to a new treatment module called Redirect, which operates on a privilege system.

The AMP was a centralized program located at TYC's McLennan County facility. Youth assigned to the program were sent from other TYC facilities and confined to a high-restriction dorm in individual cells, sometimes for long periods of time. It had been designed for the most assaultive youth in the system. As reforms continue at TYC, officials say the program has become obsolete and does not reflect national best practices in handling youth with behavior problems.

"There was a time when something like this program was necessary," said Richard Nedelkoff, TYC conservator. "But, we're moving in a different direction and there are proven ways to better handle youth who haven't learned to control their anger or violent behavior."

TYC is also changing its Behavior Management Program, which was similar to the AMP but conducted at each facility, and creating a specialized treatment curriculum called Redirect to manage aggressive youth. The Redirect program focuses more on each individual youth's abilities and needs and operates on a privilege, rather than punitive, system.

Redirect youth management practices are supported by evidence-based techniques which hold youth accountable for their actions. Redirect also addresses the underlying causes of aggression, impulsivity, and chronic negative behavior. It operates on a level system based on a youth's ability or skill to self-regulate aggression. As youth progress and their behavior improves, their privileges increase. Each facility continues to have security units available to separate assaultive youth from the general population while they are exhibiting overtly violent behavior.

The closure of the AMP allows 40 staff members assigned to the program to work in comparable positions at the McLennan County facility. This will aid in alleviating the current staffing shortage at the facility.