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William Woods University (Fulton,
MO)
Rosa
Parks Center
Summary
The Rosa Parks Center, home to female juvenile offenders, is located on
the William Woods University campus. Established by a reciprocal partnership
between the Missouri Division of Youth Services and William Woods University,
this partnership exemplifies genuine parity in partner relationships and
stands as a model for community as teacher for private liberal arts colleges.
The youth who undergo structured therapeutic treatment for offending behavior,
abuse and neglect, and substance abuse issues are involved in many daily
activities of campus life as well as share their stories in several academic
contexts. WWU students, through curricular-based initiatives, serve and
learn as they work with the youth housed in the Center.
The Practice
In fall 2000, the Missouri Division of Youth Services (DYS) approached
William Woods University (WWU) with a desire to develop a campus-located,
residential program for female juvenile offenders. Experience had shown
DYS that residential treatment was successful. Prior successful collaborations,
(e.g. representatives from DYS served on WWU’s Social Work Program
Advisory Board, WWU students had successfully completed internships with
DYS programs, and a WWU faculty member had worked within the Missouri
juvenile justice arena) enabled the project to be launched with strong
support from WWU administration and the Social Work and Juvenile Justice
Faculty.
In January 2001, 11 young women, court-ordered for treatment and under
24 hour supervision of professional DYS staff, moved onto campus and into
a vacant, unused residence hall. The young women named their new home,
the Rosa Parks Center, in honor of one woman’s courage to change
the world. These youth receive schooling at the center as well as individual
therapy, group counseling, and life-skills training. They eat meals in
the campus cafeteria, as well as attend campus plays, sports activities,
occasional classes, and special campus events. The Rosa Parks residents
give presentations about their experiences and life stories to all first-year
students during the University’s orientation program at the beginning
of each academic year and in discipline specific courses during each semester.
Several young women have served as guest speakers in direct practice skills
courses.
The Rosa Parks Center (RSP) provides curricular-based opportunities for
WWU social work students to complement classroom learning in a supervised
environment throughout their four-year undergraduate education. WWU social
work students are required to participate in community-service experiences
and many choose to serve as ongoing mentors with the youth. Senior level
social work students can complete their internship experience with the
Center, supervised by Center staff. The WWU Social Work Club members work
with RSP residents to develop and implement service projects with community
groups beyond the campus.
The Rosa Parks Center is funded by MDYS. Through its state funding, MDYS
contracts to pay rent, meals, and other “in-house” costs for
the youth. As campus residents, the young women participate at no cost
in campus athletic events, campus theatre and arts activities, lectures,
and special events. Recently, the equestrian science program has provided
therapeutic riding opportunities for the residents. Occasionally, residents
are recognized for a specific talent (e.g. art or computer), and faculty
collaborate to provide additional classes or training.
Effectiveness
Ninety-three female juvenile offenders have participated in the Rosa Parks
Center since 2001. Missouri’s DYS community-based, treatment approach
to habilitating young offenders is unique, and viewed by many as a model
for the nation with one of the lowest recidivism rates for young offenders
in the country and with costs 30 percent lower than surrounding states.
Faculty, students, Rosa Parks staff members, and the youth anecdotally
report positive outcomes directly related to this WWU and Rosa Parks relationship.
There has not, however, been a formal evaluation. Two social work faculty
members are planning a quantitative and qualitative study in collaboration
with the DYS.
The relationships between WWU faculty and students and the Rosa Parks
Center staff and youth continue to evolve. Many university students in
various fields of study benefit from this innovative partnership, particularly
students planning careers in social work and juvenile justice. Other academic
programs (e.g. sports therapy, equestrian sciences, and art) are considering
integrating RSP opportunities into course work. For the WWU students,
ongoing interaction with the Rosa Parks youth has deepened their understanding
of poverty, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and adolescent behavior.
As a result, the stereotypes and stigma attached to youth in the DYS system
are broken down and students gain insights and empathy for these young
women. WWU and DYS believe that youth immersion on campus and in the classroom
increases their aspirations for higher education. During group discussions,
the youth report that exposure to university life has opened new doors
for them. For the first time, they can imagine attending college or trade
schools.
Resources
For more information and articles on Missouri’s treatment of juvenile
offenders and the involvement of William Woods University, visit the following
websites:
http://www.hopemag.com/issues/2003/JanFeb/janFeb03.htm
(see article on learning)
www.aypf.org/lesscost/pages/03.pdf
www.aypf.org/lesscost/pages/fact01.html
www.dss.state.mo.us/dys/
Contact Information
Jerrie Jacobs-Kenner
Director of Social Work
William Woods University
One University Avenue
Fulton, MO 65251
(573) 592-4271
jerrie.kenner@williamwoods.edu
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