1. Cleanliness: Defined as socially acceptable care of self, clothing, possessions, living space, and commonly shared areas. The youth should bathe, practice regular and healthful hygiene, and demonstrate concern for personal appearance. Evaluation should consider timely handling of soiled towels, frequent changes of bedding, management of laundry, and care and organization of toilet items. Socially acceptable care does not allow for "short cuts" such as sleeping fully dressed in uniforms, failure to use sheets as a part of bedding, sleeping on the floor to avoid making the bed, hiding and hoarding soiled towels, etc. Unauthorized food and drink in rooms may be considered a cleanliness and health item. Youth should clean up after self in the cafeteria to a degree that others using the facility are not inconvenienced.

2. Time Management: Defined as accepting the concepts that "people are where they are supposed to be when it is time to be there" and "successful people put the time they have available to the best possible use". Consider the youth's response to event notifications and respect of time limits.

3. Attitude: Attitude is defined as overall cooperation, effort, demeanor, and motivation. Responsiveness to authority, observance of rules, mores, and standards are easily observable. Also easily seen is effort put forth working and playing with others, resolving issues, and attempting to improve quality of life.

4. Interactive Behavior: Defined as the degree to which an individual attempts to relate successfully to others. Normal and healthy relationships are the result of demonstrable efforts of an individual to interact positively with others. There should be no attempt to manipulate relationships to selfish ends. In simple terms, this is a measure of how well the youth "works and plays" with others.

5. Respect: Defined as care, concern, and consideration for self, others, property, authority, and for the environment. Easily visible are the displays of respect for others through sharing, listening, interacting, and supporting. There should be visible evidence of caring for property and resources by turning off lights and minimizing waste. Violent demonstrations (such as serious verbal threats, hitting or kicking inanimate items or throwing objects) are never acceptable.

6. Communication: Defined as the process of expressing needs, feelings, and thoughts to others. Includes non-verbal and emotional efforts and expressions. Consider how an idea is communicated as well as the content of the communication. Is the youth able to express self without resorting to sensationalism, negative attention seeking methods, emotional loading, or game playing? Is there a need to rely upon threats, excessive volume, sarcasm, or profanity to express ideas or feelings? Are non-verbal expressions positive and consistent with verbal expressions?

7. Social Skills: Defined as the basic process of living, working, and playing with others. Youth should make effort in attempting to successfully adapt to the environment and show skill in getting along with peers and practicing acceptable social standards, courteousness, manners, sharing, patience and consideration.

8. Acceptance of Responsibility: Defined as recognizing right from wrong, adhering to the right and avoiding the wrong. Society expects people to do what is right because it is the right thing to do. With proper emphasis and frequent encouragement, most youth are capable of accepting responsibility for self-care, avoiding danger and/or high-risk practices, and directing own efforts toward survival. The youth should recognize and relate to own shortcomings and weaknesses. The youth should take the initiative of meeting routine expectations without being reminded. Youth recognizes the impact on others if he supports or fails to report an unsafe/dangerous situation or condition

Based upon the above criteria, ABDIP mechanics consist of a single scoring form for the recording of the eight behaviors (cleanliness, time management, attitude, interactive skills, respect, communication, social skills, and acceptance of responsibility). Weight and ownership are set at one third input from day staff, one third input from evening staff, and one third input from night shift. A realistic expectation, objective, and performance would be a score of 2 in each of the eight specific behaviors. This would then yield an expected 16 points during day shift, an additional 16 points during evening shift, and 16 more from night shift. Total expectation for an "acceptable" day of behavioral performance would then be 48 points.

1. Every youth will be evaluated every day and scores recorded whether or not the youth is eligible or ineligible to earn points toward level advancement or purchase of rewards. The entire motivational program is dependent upon complete and accurate recording. In the event that a youth is off campus an entire shift, day, or extended period, that youth will be awarded a 2 in every behavior during that shift or period. The points will be considered toward level advancement (if the youth meets advancement eligibility), but will not be counted toward purchase points. In the event that, for one reason or another, a shift's point assignment is overlooked or not accomplished, the next shift must exercise one of three options:

• Give every youth a 2 in every behavior and carry on as if the evaluation had been accomplished. This would be appropriate if the group dynamics were in good shape and the behavioral evaluation had just been forgotten. An entry to this effect is to be made in the comments area of the form.
• A score of 0 could be awarded to any or all youths. This is appropriate if turmoil or major behavioral incidents were responsible for the omission.
• Individual judgment by the staff member of what would be fair and proper, based upon report notes, behavioral notes, or other documentation.

2. For the behavioral points to apply for purchase power or level advancement the youth should be on normal observation status. An exception to this practice would be when the youth's behavior is acceptable and they have been placed on special observation because they feel unsafe. This is an action sometimes taken if a youth reveals self harm thoughts to a Doctor, Staff, Therapist, or Case Manager.

3. In order for an otherwise qualified youth's points to count towards incentives, at least 40 points must be earned during the day; 39 or less points will be considered the same as 0 for the day. (NOTE: This guideline may be taken to the treatment team for alteration once the program has reached an advanced level of task maturity.)

4. Bonus points are available as incentives at staff discretion.

5. Points and levels earned can be taken away. An example of this policy is RECEIVING ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES, which may result in the loss of all purchase and level advancement points. Privileges must be earned and protected every day, and can be revoked based on behavior; points, levels, and privileges are earned and enjoyed only by youths in good behavioral standing. Another instance when point/level loss may occur is when a youth has been suspended more than 3 times (see suspension reinstatement criteria). Once a youth is suspended from the program, all program privileges are suspended with him. No level advancement or purchase points are earned during suspension; points will be assigned as usual, but will only count toward reinstatement. Since discharge from Gulf Coast Youth Services depends on completion of the level advancement program, any time spent on suspension DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD YOUR TIME. The program suspension, when cleared, results in the restoration of points, levels, and privileges. When should suspensions be employed?

• Any time a behavioral infraction of sufficient seriousness to warrant special action. An example might be fighting, smuggling contraband into the unit, attempting to extort peers, etc. Terms of program reinstatement should be decided at the time the suspension is initiated by a Disciplinary Review Team.
• In the event the entire unit is "shut down", no youth of the unit, unless specifically exempted, will earn or be allowed to spend points during the "shut down" period.
• If a youth has two days in a row in which less than 40 points are earned suspension is automatic.
• The one inappropriate behavior the program cannot and should not tolerate is CONTINUED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. This behavior removes the youth from a developmental posture, puts other youth or staff and the institution at risk, and involves outside social agencies. Any youth returned to the unit following arrest or elopement, however brief, should be re-evaluated as to program status, level, points, and privileges.

7. Any suspended youth may earn his way back on the program by complying with the following reinstatement criteria:

• To be reinstated from a first time suspension on any level or repeat suspension on level one, the youth must earn at least 40 points per day for three consecutive days.
• To be reinstated from the second suspension while on any level (even if the first suspension was on level one) requires four consecutive days of at least 42 points.
• A third suspension on any level (even if the previous suspensions were on a lower level) requires five consecutive days of at least 44 points for reinstatement.
• Any additional suspensions on any level will result in a 50-point fine per day of suspension to be taken from the level advancement points already earned. Reinstatement requires six consecutive days of at least 46 points.

The decision and responsibility are placed with the youth. But the costs of suspensions and reinstatements increase with advancement. The alternative to being on ABDIP is a delayed discharge date, limited or no access to incentives, and no access to level privileges. Points earned during suspension reinstatement periods will not be credited toward point accumulation. In the event of property damage, purchase points may be forfeited as a token payment of damages.

8. The standard for acceptable behavior is a score of 2. Care must be given to maintain the value of the program by ensuring that scores do not become inflated. A score of 3 is given only for exceptional performance. For example, it is appropriate for anyone who puts in extra effort to clean his or her room to "Room of the Day" standards to receive a 3 in "cleanliness" from morning staff. It is not appropriate for that same individual to be scored a 3 in "cleanliness" from the evening staff or night staff unless something else of significance was accomplished.

9. Guidelines for level advancement: Level advancement points are not taken away or reduced. Points, and thus level advancement, are earned when on normal observation (or "safety" status and 40 or more earned daily) which bonds this aspect of the program to "good behavior only". An average youth stay of six months should have a level advancement rate of approximately one level per six weeks. Employing the point system of ABDIP, the recommended Level System is as follows:

At each major level change the points will be adjusted back to zero for level advancement and the purchase points will be carried over from the previous level so that the youth will not experience any loss from their advancement.

10. Gold Card Option: Youth who are extremely dedicated to maintaining high points will have the opportunity to receive a special privilege called a "Gold Card." If a youth progresses through the end of step 3 on each level with NO SINGLE DAY OF LESS THAN 45 POINTS, he will be eligible for a 336-point bonus toward level advancement on step 4. This will reduce your length of stay by approximately one week. If less than 45 points are earned during any one day of steps 1 - 3 the Gold Card is lost for that level, but can be earned during the next level if criteria are met during that level.

11. Property Items: Below is a list of suggested property items. These are not to become totally hard and fast privileges but should remain flexible in the event they are subject to youth abuse, prove not to be incentives, or are otherwise ineffective. Level privileges and approved property items, as well as other incentives are periodically reviewed and updated, revised, or replaced as necessary.

One (1) pillow

One (1) mattress

Two (2) sheets

One (1) blanket

One (1) pillow case

One (1) pair of Tennis Shoes

One (1) pair of Shower Slides/Flops

Two (2) Jumpsuits

Two (2) Gym Shorts

Five (5) pair of solid white tube socks (GCYS or Personal)

Five (5) solid white briefs (GCYS or Personal)

Five (5) solid white crew neck T-shirts (GCYS or Personal)

One (1) bar of GCYS Soap

One (1) GCYS Soap Dish

One (1) GCYS Toothbrush

One (1) GCYS Toothbrush Holder

One (1) Bible (GCYS or Personal)

One (1) GCYS Handbook

One (1) small bundle/stack of collected letters/awards/Treatment Team Notes

One (1) GCYS Deodorant

One (1) Towel

One (1) Wash Cloth

Same as Level 1 & 2 but with the following exceptions:

One (1) personal bar of soap

One (1) personal deodorant

One (1) personal shampoo

One (1) personal lotion

One (1) properly checked out soft-back library book

One (1) small photo album

One (1) writing tablet/pad or five (5) pages of loose leaf paper

One (1) pencil

Same as Level 3 but with the following exceptions:

One (1) GPX Walkman Radio (value $10 or less- no tape players or speaker radios)

One (1) watch (value $15 or less)

Ten (10) personal stamps allowed in room (at parents' expense)

Four (4) magazines from approved list or approved personal books

Five (5) pair boxer underwear (instead of briefs, if desired)

Five (5) pair ankle socks (instead of tube socks, if desired)

One (1) extra 10-minute call on weekend

Two (2) extra letters per week (at Gulf Coast Youth Services's expense)

Apprenticeship jobs (or paid work in community if available)

Tutoring / mentoring program participation

Use of weights

Unstructured outdoor time (see schedule)

Sony Playstation (see schedule)

Social outings

• Must achieve Level 2 Step 2 status
• No confinement or restraint during previous 14 days
• No program suspension during previous 30 days
• No accountability or peer support during previous 7 days
• Must be actively participating in positive peer culture
• Must be a positive role model as evidenced by having no single day of less than 45 points during the previous 7 days
• Must pass risk assessment
• Must have been in the program for at least 60 days

• Must achieve Level 2 Step 2 status
• Must meet all criteria for Outside Work Detail
• Must pass risk assessment
• Must have been in the program for at least 60 days

• Must achieve Level 2 Step 3 status
• Must meet all criteria for Outside Work Detail and Social Outings
• Must have been on at least 1 Social Outing
• Must pass risk assessment
• Must have been in the program for at least 60 days

• Must achieve Level 3 Step 1 status
• Must have been in program for at least 90 days
• Must be approved by the court of jurisdiction to go on home visit
• Must be approved by parent(s) or guardian(s)
• Must pass risk assessment
• Must have been in the program for at least 90 days

NOTE: A copy of the above applicable privileges including the youth's name should be presented to the youth for posting in a conspicuous place. This will assist staff and youths in understanding who is entitled to what, and that level privileges are not being abused.

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there."

This program, including concepts and support areas, forms and instructional materials are the sole possession of the author. All rights are exclusively reserved and any use of the materials without the explicit written consent of the author is prohibited.

The author has granted usage rights for this program to Gulf Coast Youth Services, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Copies of this guide and other supporting printed materials may be reproduced as required. Donald D. Baines Ph.D.