Downing Clark Center / Program Overview

Program Overview

Downing Clark Center is a high quality residential treatment facility for young girls ages 6-17 with serious emotional, behavioral and mental challenges. Downing Clark Center is a "gender specific" program with a strong academic and job training curriculum. The center is located on 25 acres of beautiful mountainous land in Adairsville, GA, Gordon County.

The young girls appropriate for treatment at Downing Clark Center may have low IQ's and their emotional and behavioral management problems can interfere with their ability to function appropriately in their family, school and community. These girls require more therapeutic services that can be offered on an outpatient basis. Girls at Downing Clark Center can acquire the academic, social and vocational skills required to live successfully as contributing, productive citizens in their community.

This residential facility has a home-like and very "kid friendly" treatment environment. A youth can be "safe" while being treated in a bright , colorful environment with an individualized focus.

Girls appropriate for Downing Clark Center may have been refused for admissions from various programs due to their IQ. The youths parents, the Department of Family & Children Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Juvenile Justice may complete an application for admissions.

Program Components Include:

*Recreational Therapy

physical fitness and developmental needs are met through the use of large outdoor play areas, music & dance, basketball, rollerblading, swimming pool, gardening, bicycling, nature hikes, etc...

learning to cooperate with others, work as a team, trusting others, and learning to be fair can all be achieved;

*Equestrian and Pet Therapy Programs

"the healing power, both great & small;"

daily farm-type chores to help care for horses, ponies, llamas, miniature pigs & goats, dogs, cats & bunnies, with more to come;

daily farm chores & caring for the animals help teach responsibility;

animals are often used to help girls who have experienced sexual / physical trauma to begin to care and to bond again;

***The therapeutic value the animals provide our girls cannot be emphasized enough***

*Medication Management

safely administered by board certified psychiatrists & our 24- hour nursing staff;

*Worship Services

offered by various community volunteer groups;

*Community Involvement

4-H, girl scouts, visiting the elderly with our pets, helping at local fire stations with chores, learning to be a good friend, a good neighbor and a good citizen;

*Family Reunification

getting families involved is CRUCIAL and a major focus of our program;

discharge plans begin at point of admission;

family members, case managers & other caring adults are included in the treatment plan reviews;

*Daily Life Skills Training

good housekeeping, personal hygiene & wellness, laundry & clothing care, managing money, cooking & nutrition, basic first aid, etc...

*Gender Specific Curriculum

"This one's for the girls!!"

specific issues of young girls will be addressed to include personal hygiene, self esteem, pregnancy prevention, drug awareness, etc....

*Counseling; Individual Group and Family

looking "outside of the box" for healing solutions;

master's level trained therapists will provide a specific curriculum designed especially for female abused victims;

examples of group topics shall include: pregnancy prevention, setting goals and achieving them, substance awareness and education, understanding and establishing healthy boundaries, women's health care issues, problem solving skill and attitudes, gender specific values clarification, anger management, sex abuse and victimization, healthy self-esteem, etc..

specific goals will focus on: gaining responsibility for self and others; improved decision making skills; respect for authority; clarifying and solidifying values systems;

*Job Training "Real World" Preparation

each girl can reach her fullest potential focusing on her strengths and interests in order to help her find a job area that she can be successful in;

job training areas are designed to give the girls a feeling of working in "real world" work places such as a beauty salon, restaurant, commercial laundry facilities, offices with computers and others;

the girls will learn the skills to be a short order cook, waitress, to operate a cash register, shampoo hair, janitorial work, how to do manicures and pedicures among other skills;