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Applied in 2005

Residential Treatment Program

Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 17
  • Program Participants Last Year: 23
  • Meets about 30 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 18 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 10

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Improve program participant's academic performance

Measure
At the end of each school day, 100 percent of our boys must receive an 80 percent grade or better on homework and tests before advancing to the next assignment.

Outcome 2
Establish a healthy work ethic within our program participants

Measure
100 percent of our boys are required to participate in various physical activities daily. At the end of every work day, each boy is evaluated and scored based on his performance and attitude.

Outcome 3
Program participants will develop vocational skills, thus increasing their chances of obtaining future employment

Measure
100 percent of our boys are required to participate in 1.5 hours each day in a particular trade (carpentry, welding, cooking, mechanics, etc). Each boy begins at level one, learning safety procedures and basic skills in which he is evaluated at the end of the month. He must complete all projects assigned with a passing grade and master all skills taught before proceeding to next level.

Outcome 4
Program participants will develop self-discipline, thereby reducing the probability they will be repeat offenders.

Measure
Based upon an independent study, 92 percent of our program participants do not get in trouble with the law after graduating our program.

Outcome 5
Program participants will acquire self-worth and be unconditionally loved

Measure
100 percent of boys placed in our program will have the opportunity to succeed. We do not dismiss a boy from our program no matter his behaviors.

Change Process: (self-reported)

When boys first come to the Ranch, they have a lot of built-up anger and low self-worth. Most of our participants have been previously diagnosed ADD/ADHD and have been in trouble with the law. Because of the intense physical nature of our program, our boys learn how to use that extra energy and built-up anger in a productive way. We use physical consequences to change negative behaviors, such as push-ups for saying a curse word; running the hill for disrespect; digging postholes for misbehavior; and loading manure for major offenses. We have witnessed the most miraculous changes in our boys' lives while engaging in consequence work. God can do great things when we are at our lowest point. We also provide individualized counseling to help our boys understand the root of their anger, and how to properly handle their emotions. Through our vocations program, boys develop their abilities and learn new skills that increase their self-worth. Most important, God changes hearts. Therefore, we require our boys to participate in daily Bible studies and church attendance.