OPEN HOUSE SHOWS OFF UNIQUE GROUP HOME APPROACH

James L. Davis used to spend a lot of time dealing with building repairs.

But with construction of the Southeast Missouri Community Treatment Center, that's no longer the case; these days he can give full attention to his real job helping troubled youths.

"We've always had successful programs, but we really have had inadequate buildings," said Davis, the center's manager. "We still have the good people and the good programs, and now we have the good buildings to go with it."

The public will have a chance to tour the new state-run facility at 609 N. Middle at an open house from 3-5 p.m. on June 25.

Scheduled to speak at a program at 4 p.m. are: Edward D. Robertson Jr., chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court; Gary Stangler, director of the Department of Social Services; James R. Moody, commissioner of the state's Office of Administration; state Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau; Kala Stroup, Southeast Missouri State University president; and Davis.

Circuit Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. of Cape Girardeau will serve as master of ceremonies. Limbaugh is a member of the state advisory board for the Division of Youth Services, which will be meeting in Cape Girardeau that week. The division operates the treatment center.

The program will be held in a tent that will be set up adjacent to the facility, and refreshments will be served, Davis said.

He said invitations have been sent out to about 250 people from government agencies that deal with juveniles.

Among those expected to attend the open house are officials of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that strives to help states improve social services programs.

Davis said representatives from the social services departments of about 10 other states are also expected to attend the open house to see how the treatment facility operates.

Missouri, he said, is one of the leaders nationally in youth treatment programs.

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) previously had its operations scattered among several buildings in Cape Girardeau. "We've had 18 years of being in basically house structures and small office spaces," said Davis. "The (new) cottages are just real nice and pleasant and safe. It's such a difference having everybody at one place."

Davis said that in past years his staff has had to grapple with safety concerns at the various buildings used by the division. Safety was a particular concern at the former group homes.

"Now you don't have to sit and worry about the safety and building structure; you can focus on treatment," he said.

In past years, staff members had to reinstall air-conditioning units at this time of year. The window units had to be taken out every winter just to adequately seal the group homes from the winter cold.

"It's strange now just to turn the switch and have air conditioning," said Davis.

"In the past, we figured a low profile was better because of the (condition of) the buildings we had. Now we want a high profile. We are proud of where we are. We want people to come visit and tour."

The new treatment center opened in December. The $1 million complex consists of two residential cottages and an administrative building.

Although the complex fronts on Middle Street, its parking is in the rear. Davis said the parking area can be reached from the adjacent Southeast Missouri State University parking lot at Sprigg and Washington.

The facility was a cooperative venture of the university and DYS.

Construction of the center was financed by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. DYS has a 15-year, lease-purchase agreement with the university, after which the complex will become the property of the state agency.

The treatment center has a staff of 28, plus the assistance of a number of Southeast students, particularly those in the criminal justice field.

The facility's two residential buildings house a total of 22 boys, while the day-treatment program involves 15 youngsters, both male and female. All of the youths treated are in the 12-17 age range.

Davis said that the division handles about 60 youths annually in residential treatment, with most of them typically in the program for three to six months. The day-treatment program handles another 30 to 40 youths annually.

The center serves 18 Southeast Missouri counties, but primarily Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi, Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties.

While the new facility has been open several months, construction work is still being completed on the basement of the administrative building. The basement is scheduled to be completed and the division's day-treatment program moved into that space within the next couple of weeks, Davis said. The program is currently housed in a building on Henderson Avenue.

Davis, who teaches juvenile justice at the university, said the public often has misconceptions about juvenile delinquents.

"I think sometimes there is just a perception that these are hardened criminals," he said. "They are not hardened criminals; they are kids who have problems."

Davis said the division has had a good success rate, with three out of every four juveniles benefiting to the extent that they don't have to be sent back to the treatment program in Cape Girardeau.

Davis said some who have gone through the treatment programs have returned years later to visit, much to the delight of staff members.

Hearing about their success, he said, boosts staff morale. "It recharges our battery when kids come back."