PBIS at DJJ: Rockdale RYDC Splish Splash Summer Bash

Photo and story support by Rockdale RYDC Interim Director Monique Brandenburg

As Georgia's summer starts to sizzle, DJJ facilities are looking for ways to stay cool. For the Rockdale Regional Youth Detention Center (Rockdale RYDC), beating the heat involves water slides and fun games for all. On June 9th, the Rockdale RYDC held its first SPLISH SPLASH SUMMER BASH on its main recreation field.

The SPLISH SPLASH SUMMER BASH is a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program created to show the youth of the Rockdale RYDC the importance of good behavior and how reducing personal incidents can allow youth to participate in fun events year-round. Youth that were incident free with no more than two interventions were allowed to join in the SPLISH SPLASH SUMMER BASH activities. The Rockdale RYDC is proud of the fact that 47 of 49 youth met the criteria for participation.

The SPLISH SPLASH SUMMER BASH was filled with fun and laughter from start to finish. Beginning with a water bucket relay and balloon toss, the smiles were genuine and enjoyment notable. Each youth also enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, chips, cookies and punch during the festivities.

The SPLISH SPLASH SUMMER BASH was a great success due to the teamwork of the Rockdale RYDC staff and the excitement of the youth. Based on this great day, similar events are being planned for the facility in the near future.

PBIS is an evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety and support improved academic outcomes. More than 23,000 U.S. schools are implementing PBIS and saving countless instructional hours otherwise lost to discipline. The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student over the counter behavior, will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. PBIS schools apply a multi-tiered approach to prevention, using disciplinary data and principles of behavior analysis to develop school-wide, targeted and individualized interventions and supports to improve the school climate for all students.