The Berrien County Juvenile Center consists of two separate school programs. Both educational programs service students from across Berrien County who have been adjudicated or are in the process of adjudication.
SECURE DETENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM
Basic core classes, as well as special education support and services through the Berrien RESA, are provided by this education program. Each student is academically assessed upon entry into the Juvenile Center, and instruction is tailored to meet the needs of each student. In addition to academic instruction, the Rational Behavior Training program, offered through the Berrien County Juvenile Center, is employed within the school program. This methodology emphasizes basic social skills, social-emotional learning, and cognitive behavior training in order to prepare students to successfully transition back into their communities. Teachers and Juvenile Center staff members work in concert to ensure that behavior issues are properly addressed, minimized, and create a learning opportunity as it relates to acceptable and productive classroom behavior.
COMMUNITY INTENSIVE TREATMENT FAMILY SERVICES EDUCATION PROGRAM
This educational program addresses the academic needs of students placed within the Community Intensive Treatment Family Services Program through the Berrien County Court Family Division. Students receive academic instruction from two special education teachers, provided by Berrien RESA. These teachers teach from their classrooms at the Berrien County Juvenile Center. The students receive their education in their individual homes via the internet. The program utilizes many Google education tools, including Google Meet, Google Classroom, and other resources. Each student is provided with a Chromebook computer and an internet “hotspot” by Berrien RESA.
Upon entering the program, each student’s academic records are requested from previous schools or placements. A class schedule is then designed to address the individual needs of each student. These class schedules are shared with the student’s home school to ensure each student is taking the appropriate classes to meet their graduation requirements. Students are able to earn academic credit while in this educational program.
Our programs are supported by a full-time paraprofessional, and we work closely with the Berrien County Juvenile Center in order to provide seamless integration of education and community support.