Girls are encouraged to learn about themselves in relation to others. By policy, male staff members never spend time alone with female clients. Inservice training is ongoing, with meetings held at least weekly. Staff positions include youth care workers, senior youth care workers, case manager, staff supervisor, coordinator, interventionist, and site director. Girls are referred to the program by the courts.
Many girls face multiple charges, often including person offenses or probation violation.
Most girls have encountered a host of risk factors, including physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse, risk of pregnancy, truancy, school dropout, history of aggressive or violent behavior, history of mental problems, attempted or contemplated suicide, developmental disabilities, and lack of adult supervision. Staff consider lack of adult supervision to be the most prominent risk factor, and also the factor likely to lead to all the other risk factors. Although girls may stay at the center for only a brief time, Boys Town attempts to treat the whole child. Holistic treatment begins at intake, when each girl receives a comprehensive assessment and an individual treatment plan that is based on her specific issues and needs. Assessments follow girls to all subsequent placements.