Project LEAP

ACCEPT, Inc.’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, integrated services to court-committed youth is demonstrated in its history with Project LEAP, as a vendor for 23 years to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Youth Services.

Project LEAP (Long-term Education Assistance Program) was created as a 9-12 month personnel-secure placement for adjudicated delinquent males, ages 14 to 18 years. Initially providing 7 beds, ACCEPT, Inc. grew the program to 18 beds. Both during LEAP’s operation as a secure treatment setting and later as a residential treatment program, security for clients, staff and the community was ensured with personnel rather than hardware (barred windows and locked doors). Project LEAP operated year-round and a youth’s placement ranged from 3 to 9 months depending on his progress in reaching treatment goals. With rolling enrollment, Project LEAP provided treatment for an average of 54 youth per year during its 18-bed configuration.

For each client a comprehensive treatment plan was generated from interviews, behavioral observations, records reviews, medical assessments and academic evaluations. Families, youth and staff participated in progress evaluations. Delivered services included individualized academic instruction, vocational instruction, physical education, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, family counseling as families were available, substance abuse counseling, AA/NA participation, leisure activities/arts instruction and opportunities, life skills and personal health instruction, job apprenticeships, and relapse prevention planning.