Los Angeles County Probation Department

Residential Treatment Services

Camp Community Placement provides intensive intervention in a residential treatment setting. Upon commitment by the court, a minor receives health, educational and family assessments that allow treatment tailored to meet their individual needs. The goal of the program is to reunify the minor with their family, to reintegrate the minor into the community, and to assist the minor in achieving a productive crime free life. These Probation camps service approximately 2,200 minors per day.

The camps provide structured work experience, vocational training, education, specialized tutoring, athletic activities and various types of social enrichment. Each camp provides enhanced components tailored to its population and purpose. These community-building programs include the Amer-I-Can Program, the Literacy Project, Operation Read, the Honors Drama Ensemble, Gangs for peace, Bridge to Employment, Young Men as Fathers (L.A. Dads), and many others.

The fundamental objective of the Residential Treatment Service experience is to aid in reducing the incidence and impact of crime in the community. This is accomplished by providing each minor with a residential treatment experience geared toward developing effective life skills.

The camps provide a valuable and cost effective intermediate sanction alternative between probation in the community and incarceration in the California Youth Authority.

Case Plan / Risk and Needs Assessment:

All juvenile camp minors receive a mandated assessment. This document provides each minor with an individualize assessment, identifying the services needed to treat areas of concern and outlining the means by which established goals will be met. The minor’s Probation Officer monitors the progress, or lack thereof, of the minors assigned to him/her through weekly contacts, and assists the minor in achieving the goals set out for them. The Probation Officers also interacts with the minor’s family to assist the minor in achieving a successful transition upon release to the community. Probation Officers also provide individual, group, and family counseling.

Basic Camp Program:

Upon initial arrival at camp minors are orientated as to camp procedures and protocols. During their camp stay minors receive training in Personal and Social Responsibility plus the G.O.A.L.S. components. Minors continue to be prepared for graduation into the community by receiving Family Issues and Substance Abuse training. Officers with MSW degrees in Psychology are available for treatment and counseling on an individual and group setting.

Fire Camps Program:

In addition to training components offered in all camps, fire camp minors receive 80 hours training in wild land fire suppression. After successful completion of this training, minors are assigned to 14-man crews, which work under the direct supervision of Fire Department personnel (Fire Fighter Specialists). Crews work two to five days per week on a variety of projects. Camp Louis Routh is designated for minors 17.5 to 19 years of age; the Fire Team is available for first response fire suppression duty seven days per week.

Academics with Athletics Reaching Excellence (A.W.A.R.E.):

Camp Vernon Kilpatrick, a member of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), competes with private and public high school athletic leagues in football, basketball, soccer and baseball.

Forestry Program:

The Camp Joseph Paige forestry program currently operates four trained forestry crews: The crews consist of 13 –14 minors. They receive one week of intensive forestry training, including classroom instruction and physical fitness regimen overseen by the Los Angles County Forestry/Fire Department. Upon graduation from the training program, they are assigned to one of the forestry crews. They participate in weed abatement and other community projects.

Camp Locations

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