I'm Curious

[Deborah]

Have you considered some form of Martial Arts?
My son was very angry, but ironically due to having spent 6 months IN an abusive program. I called every therapist in the book looking for an anger management class for teens. There were plenty for adults, not for teens. There was one available through the county, but he would have to have committed a crime and be court ordered.
Ho hum....
I know it's not easy, I have been there.
But, sometimes a physical activity can help. It burns off some of the stored adrenelin/cortisol and can be very therapeutic.
How about Karate or kick boxing or some contact sport she might be able to play through the Y. I know it's harder to get them into organized sports in public school, after a certain age, due to competitiveness. But, perhaps you could find something in your community.
Anything physical to release the pent up anger/frustration... and ultimately sadness.
Any other extra cirricular activity that she might be interested in that could help boost self-esteem? Like night classes at a school of cosmotology? Art classes? Music? Dance- another good release. A 'real' job frequently boost self esteem.
What are her interests? Find out and support her 150% in persuing that interest. It will be well worth the time, money and effort. The money will be better spent on these things than a program. I personally might go so far as to require her to pick an activity, BUT an activity of her choice. And don't expect her to stick with 'one' thing. She may not know what she wants/likes. Let her move around and have a broad experience of many options until she finds something that really lights her fire again.
I really believe that most teens go off track because they feel they have no real role/place in society. They aren't taken seriously, are minimized, and basically invisible. Contradict that societal message.

[Anonymous]

Juvie is less bad than just about all these programs.
......maybe juvie will be a learning experience---it's certainly a safer one than many of the programs.


Check this out, especially the linked consultant's report.  Juvie is pretty bad, too, sometimes.

http://www.dispatch.com/reports-story.p ... rison.html



Sex abuse in Ohio's youth prisons
Problems continue behind bars
 Jan. 14, 2005

Five more guards indicted in probe of prison abuse
Dec. 1, 2004

Youth Services chief fired
Governor seeks new leadership to reform juvenile prison system sullied by
abuses

Nov. 17, 2004
Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility: Chief in charge of reforming prison
resigns

Oct. 27, 2004
Consultant rips Youth Services
Agency hasn't fixed girls prison, he says
See also: Complete contents of letter (Adobe PDF)

Sept. 4, 2004
Prison for girls scolded in report
Abuses cited at facility in Delaware County
See also: Key findings;Full report from consultant (2.5 MB file; may take
some time to download)

Aug. 18, 2004
Director says cuts worsened problems
Loss of $114 million blamed in inmate abuse, overcrowding

Aug. 14, 2004
Director proposes extensive overhaul
See also: Overhauling youth prisons

Aug. 4, 2004
State public defender offers help in centers

Aug. 1, 2004
Social workers often not licensed
Analysis shows 74 percent of Youth Services workers are not fully
credentialed
Graphic: Licensing of social workers

July 31, 2004
Adult-prison workers at juvenile centers criticize

July 30, 2004
Abuses alleged at prison for girls
Some policies, personnel already changed after 2 probes at Delaware County
facility

July 22, 2004
Juvenile prison officials seek help

July 18, 2004
Sex abuse continues
Juvenile offenders often locked in rooms together
Graphic: Children who rape and molest
Graphic: Ohio's youth delinquents
Counselors lack training and state licenses
Critics: Inmates need better treatment to avoid ending up in worse shape
Workers evade charges despite sex allegations