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Gaining and Growing Group
High School Friends

"Some of the most advanced work I have seen in my ten years of dedicated research on this topic."

Dr. Amanda Holt

Gaining and Growing Group (G3) is a specialized program for adolescents with mental health issues who have been the perpetrators of violence in their homes. This program was created by NEDFYS staff. NEDFYS is currently using G3 to serve girls and boys who are incarcerated in the Warrenville Youth Center maintained by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). 

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Our staff developed this program through many hours of dedicated research and implementation.

 

Client Success Story:

 

The G3 Program is innovative and is transforming lives such as Alyssa’s. Alyssa, a 17-year old girl
from central Illinois, was incarcerated at the Illinois Youth Center-Warrenville due to drug offenses.
While at IDJJ, she enrolled in G3. Alyssa, just like all girls in the program, was assessed for trauma,
family violence, past substance abuse, gang involvement, and ongoing mental health issues. Her
initial intake assessment showed significant childhood trauma. She was abusing heroin and
prescription drugs with her peer group which led to excessive truancy from school.
 

Alyssa attended our G3 group sessions regularly. As part of these group sessions, she learned new
strategies for managing her anger, improved her communication and decision-making skills, learned
how to set appropriate boundaries, and planned for her future once she returned home.
 

After leaving the Illinois Youth Center, Alyssa remained in regular contact with NEDFYS. NEDFYS staff
reconnected her with her previous therapist and arranged for continued therapy services. NEDFYS
actively supported her return home, where she re-enrolled in school, decreased her substance use,
obtained part-time employment, and actively sought new friends. Alyssa now has the tools to
continue making healthy choices and responsible decisions and we are optimistic that G3 has made
a transformative impact.​

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