SHERIFFS YOUTH PROGRAM
1101 Washington Memorial Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 259-6764
Randy Arnold, School Program Supervisor
Program Description
The Sheriffs Youth Program (SYP) - St. Cloud Group Home is a branch of
the Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota, a not-for-profit organization began
in 1965. It's mission is to foster and promote services to children and families
to enhance positive growth and development. The Sheriffs Youth Program - St.
Cloud opened effective the 1993-94 school year, with the St. Cloud Area School
District 742 providing educational services for it's residents. The St. Cloud
Group Home site offers three separate programs for up to twelve adolescents
ranging from 11 to 17 years of age. These three programs include shelter
care (short-term stays), a 30-day psychological evaluation, or
programming with flexible lengths of stay depending on individual needs.
Lengths of stay at the SYP - St. Cloud can vary from a few days up to six months
or more.
Children Served
Children placed at the SYP - St. Cloud have primary issues that may stem from
family matters, behavior problems in school and/or in the community, and social
difficulties. All are children who are in need of intervention through placement
outside the home. Lengths of stay vary according to individual need. Most, though
not all, students placed at the SYP - St. Cloud have an Individual Education
Plan (IEP).
School Program
Educational programming for children placed at the SYP are provided by St. Cloud
Area School District 742. A licensed EBD teacher and a program assistant provide
students with academic instruction on-site. Students receive instruction in
one of the following three ways:
The majority of students placed at the SYP receive instruction in a small group
classroom setting located on-site for a full school day. All students begin
school within 24 hours of their placement. Upon being placed, a request for
information is sent to the last public school of attendance requesting a school
transcript, health records, school schedule, assessment information, and any
special education records. For students with an IEP, an IEP team meeting is
scheduled as soon as possible to develop an interim or an annual IEP reflecting
the services needed in their new SYP setting. Primary content area instruction
is delivered in the areas of Language Arts/Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies,
and Science. Upon discharge from the SYP, student progress is documented through
either an Exit Report or through an IEP Review of Progress form. While at the
SYP, students have opportunities to continue the development of basic skills
necessary for passing the Minnesota Basic Skills tests in Reading, Math, and
Writing. These tests are offered as they would be in any public school setting
in Minnesota. Students also have the opportunity to work on selected Graduation
Content Standards.
District 742 students placed at the SYP most typically continue attending school in the community school program enrolled in prior to their placement. Occasionally, however, a District 742 student may attend school on-site if court-ordered to do so or if there are other compelling reasons.
Referral Process
Students referred to the SYP are recommended and placed by county social workers
and probation officers. For more school information, you may contact:
SYP School Program Supervisor
St. Cloud Area School District 742
1726 Seventh Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 650-1548