Introducing cognitive-behavioral correctional program “EQUIP” and developing positive culture in six juvenile socialization centers in Lithuania

Project duration

November 2011 – March 2014

Donor

European Social Fund and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

Project goal

To introduce cognitive-behavioral correctional program “EQUIP” and to develop positive culture in juvenile socialization centers applying a system that combines the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and modern educational methods, and modern organization management methodology in socialization centres.

Project results 

At the beginning of the project EQUIP programme was adopted for Lithuania and Lithuania version of EQUIP Book and EQUIP Implementation Guide. Additionally the game “Equipped for life” was published at the end of project. The game helps children to anchor the skills acquired during the program.

In May 2012 EQUIP programme started in the juvenile socialization centres. Before that 12 EQUIP programme trainers and 117 teachers (educators) were trained on how to apply the principles of the cognitive-behavioural therapy during the classes, as well introductory workshop and first seminar were organized for the administrative personnel of the centres. In total EQUIP programme was conducted to the 25 juvenile groups and the amount of 1022 EQUIP group meetings took place. 142 juveniles attended EQUIP programme group meetings and 122 of them attended more than 60 percent of meeting therefore received certificates confirming participation in EQUIP programme.

Programme implementation quality research was conducted after finalization of the EQUIP programme. The main goal of the research was to analyse the progress of EQUIP programme implementation and development of the positive institution culture in six juvenile socialization centres in Lithuania. Each juvenile socialization centre received individual report and recommendations for improvement of the EQUIP programme implementation process.

During the project implementation EQUIP programme trainers received 60 hours of individual consultations. Additionally, trainers had an opportunity to analyse everyday cases and to discuss them with the experts and colleagues from other juvenile socialization centres during ten supervisions, which lasted 56 hours in total.

Continuous supervisions were organized for teachers (educators), total duration – 192 hours. During these supervisions teachers were introduces with the principles of the EQUIP programme as well as opportunities for their application, especially working with delinquent, conflicting and rules ignoring juveniles. Joint consultations (total duration – 120 hours) were organized for teachers (educators) and education support specialists in order to stimulate dialogue and improve cooperation.

Methodological tool “Application and development of cognitive – behavioural principles in juvenile socialization centres”. This tool helps personnel from the socialization centres to answer a hard question – how to shape education process so that the juveniles temporary living in socialization centres grow up to become honest, independent and responsible citizens of the Republic of Lithuania.

Project partners 

Vilniaus juvenile socialization centre
Vėliučionių juvenile socialization centre
Gruzdžių juvenile socialization centre
Kauno juvenile socialization centre
Kauno juvenile socialization centre “Saulutė”
Juvenile socialization centre “Širvėna”