Cornerstone
The Cornerstone program serves Office of Juvenile Affairs custody males, ages 13-18, who have been adjudicated delinquent and who are in-need of intensive emotional and behavioral treatment. The treatment services are addressed through evidence-based practices. The problems to be addressed through cognitive behavioral therapy services include but are not limited to: delinquent/antisocial behaviors, mental health concerns, interpersonal relationship skills, education/vocation resources, pro-social attitudes and behaviors, anger management/coping skills, substance abuse, relaxation skills, and the impact trauma has had on them emotionally, socially, mentally and physically. These issues are processed through individual, group and family counseling services. Residents also participate in social skills, basic living skills, independent living skills, substance abuse groups and other therapeutic groups on a weekly basis. The Cornerstone provides a behavioral modification program which provides residents with opportunities to make individual choices and increase self-control. As a family unit, the Cornerstone functions to create a healthy environment which encourages developmental growth and aims to help residents reach their maximum potential. The goal of the Cornerstone treatment program is to empower residents with the skills, knowledge and resources to successfully reintegrate into mainstream society.
The Cornerstone uses a five-stage behavioral modification level system as a general-purpose behavioral management and treatment tool. Residents earn points and privileges based upon their behavior, attitude and participation in the program. As resident’s progress through the program, they can earn privileges such as, later bedtime, educational outings, community outings, community day passes, overnight passes, leading some groups, being a peer mentor, employment in the community and ability to complete community service hours. Residents can also earn the privileges of wearing more personal clothing and shoes and having a personal radio. As a form of positive reinforcement, when residents earn their privileges weekly, they also earn snacks and other items.
Each level has a life book consisting of treatment activities required for each resident to complete before they are eligible to advance to the next level. In addition to completing treatment activities, each resident is also required to earn a certain number of points based upon their behavior and participation in treatment groups before being eligible to advance to the next level and begin working on more advanced treatment issues. Prior to a resident advancing levels in the program, they must be approved by the Cornerstone treatment team.
Cornerstone contracts with Norman Public Schools to provide a certified teacher. Residents attend school 6 hours per day and are provided instructional studies according to the State of Oklahoma Department of Education. Residents who prefer to earn a GED are assisted with preparation and testing.
Residents at the Cornerstone Group Home are given the opportunity to gain employment in the community when deemed appropriate by the administrative staff and the resident’s OJA Caseworker. The group home assists residents in job skills training, job placement and job retention. All employment related skills are taught in weekly independent living groups. These skills are taught through discussion, role play and hands on learning experiences. The group home also provides career exploration services through assessments, in house speakers and assists residents in exploring various occupations and job specific skills. Cornerstone is also partnered with Workforce, so eligible residents will be enrolled in this program and participate in career training and employment opportunities as well as employment and career assistance in the community.
