RTC was a very big part of the history of the Iowa State Police Association. A lot of boys have been helped by the mission of the programs over the years. Sadly, the RTC/ISPA Boards had to make the very difficult decision to close the campus and the programming in 2019.
Unique Settings
Established in 1961 as the “Jerry Rabiner Memorial Boys Ranch”, our main campus can be found five miles Northwest of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Our Fort Dodge Campus included: five residential cottages, on-campus classrooms, computer lab/library, gymnasium, baseball field, soccer field, running track, basketball courts, health club, game room, go-cart track, remote control track, fitness trail, hiking trails and a disk golf course.
History
At their annual convention in October of 1961, the Iowa State Police Association (ISPA) voted unanimously to establish a home for troubled boys. In September of that next year, a ground breaking ceremony marked the opening of the Jerry Rabiner Boys Ranch. The Ranch’s 240 acre site was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rabiner, in memory of their son Jerry, who was killed in an auto accident in 1953. Today, the relationship between the Rabiner Treatment Center and ISPA is stronger than ever. Our tradition of partnership and commitment to serving youth in need lives on through our mission and values. Rabiner Treatment Center is licensed by the State of Iowa as a comprehensive residential treatment facility. We are also members of the Coalition for Family and Children’s Services in Iowa and the Iowa Association of Community Providers.
Our Agency Mission
Since 1961, the purpose of the Rabiner Treatment Center has been to instill hope in the youth and families we serve. We continue this tradition by teaching self-discipline, responsibility, commitment and pride through innovative treatment and positive growth experiences, delivered in a rural Iowa setting. The Rabiner Treatment Center is sponsored by the men and women of the Iowa State Police Association.
Our Agency Values
· Preserve our history
· Respect for all individuals
· Integrity
· Excellence
· Fiscal Responsibility
· Staff Development
· Facility Development
· Having Fun!
Treatment Approach
Our well-trained staff members employ the use of cognitive restructuring (using Truthought curriculum) which focuses on helping youth identify and then change criminal or irresponsible thinking patterns. This approach is coupled with a behavioral approach which uses positive reinforcement for positive/responsible behavior and consequences for negative/irresponsible behavior. Our clinical staff focuses on both individual and group therapy needs. During the course of therapy, our clinicians utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy, paralleling the cognitive work done with each milieu.
Our programming is highly structured, within a formalized atmosphere (i.e. clients respond with “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am” to adults, clients walk in a single-file on campus…) All clients wear uniform clothing (polo shirts and khaki pants) that reflects their level and status. Additionally, we have implemented a level system, which is designed to help clients, staff and other measure the client’s progress.
We strongly believe that once clients are able to make conscious, deliberate and constructive decisions, behaviors will change accordingly, resulting in a lifetime of positive decision making. This is why “choices” are a central theme in all of our programming.
Daily Programming
Programming at RTC is highly structured offering a variety of treatment “opportunities” depending on the client’s needs and the particular program. Some of the opportunities include:
· on-campus education
· individual, family and group therapy
· study time
· daily chores
· substance abuse assessment and treatment
· recreational activities
· intramural sports
· skill development (basic life and social skills)
· physical training
· vocational opportunities
· independent living preparation
· community volunteerism
· community restitution
Continuum of Services
Rabiner Treatment Center provides a full continuum of treatment services for the youth we serve. Our programming, which includes residential and non-residential care, is geared to meet a wide variety of client needs. Our current continuum includes:
· “Smart Choices”: Long-term (6 to 18 months), residential care for conduct disorder/behaviorally
challenging boys.
· “Special Choices”: Long-term (6 to 24 months), residential care for borderline I.Q./special needs boys.
· “Smart Start”: Short-term (30/60/90 days) residential programming for boys needing an immediate, short-term intervention.
· “Weekend Choices”: Weekend program (1 to 6 weekends), which has a strong focus on cognitive restructuring and accountability.
· On-campus School: As an extension of Manson Northwest Webster School District, RTC offers on-site educational services. A complete array of education opportunities is available to our students including, on-campus classes, public school placement, GED certification, alternative schooling, suspension center and vocational experiences.
· “Daily Choices”: Day programming which offers educational, therapeutic and recreational services to children living at home. Clients attend our on-campus school and receive therapeutic/recreational services after school on the RTC main campus. Transportation is provided by RTC.
· “Family Choices”: This is an in-home counseling program. RTC therapists provide counseling services and skill development to children and families in the family’s home.
· “Independent Choices”: Residential treatment for older adolescent boys with a focus on the future. Programming centers on the enhancement and development of specialized skills, which prepare clients for independent life after treatment.
· Substance Abuse Treatment: On-campus substance abuse screening and assessments are available to clients. Individualized and/or group substance abuse treatment is available on campus and at a local substance abuse center.
Admission Criteria
Adolescent boys ages from 10-18 years old (top ages could be higher depending on state’s legal age) who have history of oppositional and defiant behavior, and display irresponsible thinking patterns. Since our treatment is cognitively based, our admission staff will help determine an appropriate placement at Rabiner Treatment Center.
Referral Procedures
Questions about our services or referrals from Juvenile Court Services, Department of Human Services or family members should be directed to our admissions personnel at:
Fort Dodge/Main Campus
Rabiner Treatment Center
1762 Johnson Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA 50168
Affiliations
RTC is a member of Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce, the Coalition of Family and Children’s Services of Iowa, and the internationally renowned Child Welfare League of America.
RTC Executive Board of Directors
