Our Programs: Specialized Community-based Programs

After School and Recreation Center (ARC) program
Our After School and Recreation Center (ARC) program is designed to serve at-risk adolescents with serious emotional and/or mental health needs as identified by Wraparound Milwaukee. Youth are involved with the Child Welfare System and/or the Juvenile Justice System and are at imminent risk of placement in a residential treatment center, juvenile correctional facility, or psychiatric hospital.

These youth, central to Southeastern’s mission, are especially vulnerable to negative influences during the period immediately after school, and in summer, when their lives are unstructured. While other programs (such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs) are available during these periods, these programs are not designed to handle youth with mental illnesses and significant behavioral issues.

Since implementation the Spring of 2010, ARC has provided youth-centered educational, social and recreational services to youth after school and on school days off, helping them establish a positive sense of self and their community.  Programming included tutoring, sports participation, community field trips, life skills training and community service projects. In addition, group recreational programming is being offered to youth on week days during the summer to introduce and engage them in appropriate activities and programs. 

For information on ARC, please contact Kim Polki, program supervisor, at 414-875-9452 or kpolki@syfs.org.

STEPS (Suspension Tools Encouraging Positive Solutions) program
The STEPS (Suspension Tools Encouraging Positive Solutions) program is focused on at-risk youth who are chronically suspended and truant from school.  The goal of this program is to provide youth with supervision while suspended from school with basic skills, academic tutoring and counseling services.  It also provides a safe alternate placement service for schools, parents, probation officers and social workers. 

With the assistance of funding support from the Schoenleber Foundation and the Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation Southeastern conducted a pilot program for six weeks in 2009, with 31 students from our alternative middle school.  These students exhibited disruptive behavior and refused to comply with classroom rules, which normally would have resulted in a one to three day out of school suspension.  STEPS allowed these students to receive an alternative educational program; kept them in school and off the streets; and increased school attendance. 

The pilot program helped us to determine that to best meet student and staffing requirements it should be housed in our school building.  We are currently in the midst of retrofitting classroom space to meet the special needs of these students and anticipate serving up to 50 students during the 2010-2011 school year.

For information on our STEPS program, please contact Michael Schlumpf, director of educational services, at 414-875-9452 or mschlumpf@syfs.org.

First Time Juvenile Offenders Program (FTJOP)
The First Time Juvenile Offenders Program (FTJOP) is a diversion program that targets youth referred to the juvenile justice system for a first offense.  It utilizes tracking and services, such as tutoring, AODA education, and mentoring, to help these youth avoid being charged by the district attorney. 

Southeastern serves approximately 40 – 45 youth referred each year who have committed a minor offense, providing tutoring and other services throughout the school year and during the summer when school is out. FTJOP has been able to make a positive impact on these youth, despite their troubled backgrounds. 

For information on FTJOP, please contact Michael Schlumpf, director of educational services, at 414-875-9452 or mschlumpf@syfs.org.