As noted above, accountability and attendance to goals are essential in determining readiness of the student for release from the program. Living Center A ranges anywhere from three to eighteen months. In reality, the length of stay is determined by the youth's commitment to the program and his determination to stay on tasks leading to his individual goals. Students in Living Center B may stay in the group home a number of years or a relatively short period of time, if an appropriate placement is found. Placement or release is one of the most important aspects of the program.
Placement is determined by the individual needs of each youth.
The Living Center staff members work in close cooperation with each youth's Juvenile Corrections Agent to arrive at a living situation which is in the best interests of the involved youth. Juvenile Corrections Agents monitor their behavior in their home communities upon release to ensure compliance with established conditions as part of Aftercare Supervision. However, all releases from the institution must first be approved by the Secretary of the Department of Corrections. A determined effort is made to select a placement that will most likely lead to successful adjustment of the youth to society and prevent further contacts with the juvenile justice system. Living Center A is by philosophy a rehabilitative correctional facility.