A foundation for success ... for older youths
The Prep Program is an extension of the Diakon Bridge Program. While the Bridge Program’s competency development goal objectives encompass the domains of pro-social skills, moral reasoning, education, family interaction, and community resources, the Prep Program targets more specifically those competencies relevant to a young adult’s development and practice of life skills and career-planning activities.
Similar to the Bridge Program, the Prep Program provides a therapeutic approach to community-based support and accountability. In contrast, its focus is on services for male and female clients in the 17 to 18 age range.
An individualized goal plan is developed during initial contact with each youth. The goal plan emphasizes life skills and career planning, while continuing to implement to some extent those competency-development areas practiced in the Bridge Program. To fulfill the individualized goal plan, case managers use both individual and group sessions in the home, school, and community settings.
The Bridge Program has traditionally operated as an individual service or in conjunction with the Wilderness Center’s Weekend Alternative Program (WAP). However, the Prep Program always operates in conjunction with WAP, including mandatory participation in four consecutive weekends in WAP. The Prep Program operates for approximately 30 days, providing goal-specific planning and coordination with the Weekend Alternative Program.
The program is designed so that youths participate in Prep and WAP for a period of one month, practicing skills and competencies that assist them in daily activities. Upon successful completion of both programs, the youths receive certificates, signifying their attainment and development of necessary competencies and accountability criteria as they transition into early adulthood.
Program highlights ...
- Individual goal plans emphasizing personal responsibility and accountability.
- Life skills and career planning activities ...
- Employment, education (GED and post-secondary,
consultation with job trainer and guidance
counselor)
- Professionalism, interviewing practices and resume-building
- Banking and money management, housing and independent
living, utilizing public transportation (riding the bus)
- College tours, Armed Forces and ROTC.
- Community resources, Personal Identification Information
(State I.D. card, birth certificate, social security card, etc.)
- Fatherhood/Planned parenthood
- Public library tour and acquisition of library card for use of
pertinent resources (composition, Internet, fax machines and
copiers)
- General health and medical insurance, prioritizing tasks, self-advocacy, and conflict resolution.
- Weekly reports submitted to probation
- Accompany youth to goal specific groups and activities
- Weekly youth visits in-home, school and community group outings and projects
- Assistance with WAP transportation
- Weekly phone contact initiated by youth for goal reporting and updates
Information and referrals
The Bridge Program currently serves youths from Delaware, Chester, and Lancaster counties, although inquiries from other counties are welcomed. The program is also helpful to those returning home from residential program by adding discipline and structure to their life as they re-enter the community.
Referrals and inquiries may be made by e-mailing or telephoning Ron Davis at (610) 291-7731.