About Us
Our Mission
R-BLOCK Inc. is dedicated to changing the lives of our community kids by offering a series of programs designed to help our most at-risk youth.
As you may very well be aware of, "Gang Activity and Violence'', has filtered its way into Maryland and is showing signs of gaining notoriety among the youth of Baltimore County and the surrounding areas.
R-BLOCK was developed with the aim to improve deviant negative behavior demonstrated by young adults eight through eighteen in our community.
Mr. Barnett, while working with the Boys & Girls Club and the Department of Recreation & Parks as a coach and as a volunteer/mentor for over thirty years, the need for a unique program servicing young adults became critical. With the economic turmoil and hardships that our young adults are facing today, now more than ever it is essential that they receive proper guidance in order for them to become productive contributing members of society.
R-BLOCK is an organization of community role models and mentors that will provide a structured community-based support network. R-BLOCK intends to improve school and/or vocational performance while also encouraging them to engage in pro-social recreational outlets.
The R-BLOCK team is strongly committed to removing barriers that limit our young adult's ability to reach adulthood successfully. R-BLOCK staff members will work closely with young adults assigned to us by the Maryland Judicial System, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Police Department and any organization in need of our service.
Our Programs
Alternative Sentencing Program
R-BLOCK Inc is offering opportunities, alternatives and resources for persons involved with the criminal justice system. R-BLOCK Inc.'s Alternative Sentencing Program is a means for alternative sanctions in lieu of jail time for non-violent misdemeanor offenses. The program operates in cooperation with the District Court, The States Attorney's office and the Office of Probation and Parole.
The Alternative Sentencing Program diverts offenders away from costly incarceration and offers a second chance to those who have committed misdemeanor offenses.
R-BLOCK Inc by partnering with The District Court, & The State's Attorney Office along with The Department of Juvenile Services to assist in the defendant's road to a successful rehabilitation. Defendants will be assigned to R-BLOCK Inc. The defendant is given a daily task sheet/log to track their community service hours. It is up to the defendant to coordinate with the Community restoration supervisor at R-BLOCK Inc. to schedule community service hours. Defendants are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours a week until the sentence is complete.
For defendants to be eligible for R-BLOCK Inc's Alternative Sentence Program, a judge must sentence or direct the defendant to the Alternative Sentencing Program, and the defendant must agree to follow all the rules of the program. Placement in the Alternative Sentencing Program is at the discretion of the Judge & The States Attorney's office. Most defendants will successfully complete the program; however, those who do not comply with the rules at R-BLOCK Inc. will be terminated from the program and referred back to the court.
Life Skills for Elementary, Middle, & High School Students Program
The Life Skills Program's purpose is to ensure that we are teaching the skills necessary for students with or without significant disabilities to be included, to become as independent as possible and actively participate in the school community and the community at large.
Elementary School
After-school mentoring program that provides guidance, Life skills, education, and technical support to boys in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. We offer two-hour sessions twice a week, filled with a variety of projects that stimulate positive behavior from our young men.
- HEROES The purpose of the hero segment is to inspire kids to become the heroes that that they believe in, to see themselves as heroes.
- HEALTH AND HYGIENE Teaching kids about personal hygiene, by discussing how health and hygiene relate to behavioral issues and their overall wellbeing. Encourage kids to groom daily for confidence
- BOXERCISE Fundamental drills with special guest from the UMAR Boxing academy
- PEER TO PEER Identifying challenges that each age group is dealing with and help them to overcome those challenges
- FIELD TRIPS T.B.A.
These are just a few of the activities that we offer and much more
Middle School
The Life Skills class is designed to enhance student success at the middle school. Student success is defined as meeting standards and achieving personal satisfaction in both the academic and interpersonal realms. The course focuses on developing positive peer relationships as well as empathy and tolerance for others. Specific study skills are taught, which enable students to achieve academic success. Examples of study skills include organization, recording assignments properly, time management, test taking skills, etc. The course will also emphasize character development and conflict resolution.
High School
The Life Skills Program serves students 14-21 years of age whose overall needs cannot be met in the regular classroom setting even with special education support. Services can be provided in a variety of settings including the general education classrooms, community environments and job training sites. The program provides students with instruction in the areas of independent living, functional academics, consumer education and vocational skills through direct instruction,
modeling, practice and application of skills. These skills are typically encountered in the home, community and work setting.
Our Programs
Community Restoration Program
R-BLOCK Inc. provides area students with an opportunity to perform and complete the mandatory community services hour required by the State of Maryland for high school graduation. We have partnered with the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, neighboring business associations, local business owners and community-based organizations in order to obtain this goal. Students will also develop a sense of pride while giving back to the very communities that they live in. Students will benefit from the opportunity to develop relationships with possible future employers.
Creative Writing Program
The R-BLOCK Inc Creative Writing Course will guide all students safely into the writing process. Students will be encouraged to expand their power of observation, imagination and language. Students will be exposed to various forms of creative writing such as fiction, non-fiction poetry, and spoken word. R-Block Inc. will provide opportunities for students to witness live spoken word performances. Students will gain confidence through practice and praise in a safe environment where they will overcome their fears and obstacles.
Financial Literacy Program
The Financial Literacy program at R-BLOCK Inc. will teach students the basics of financial planning, budgeting money, identifying and prioritizing personal and financial goals. The program also focuses on the responsibility that people have over their own finances and the consequences of poor money management and excessive debt. The program also offers assistance to those in need of finding financial resources for college. This program is adjusted based on the age of the student. Parents of R-BLOCK Inc students are highly encouraged to attend as well.
Our Programs
Health & Hygiene Program
R-BLOCK Inc. will teach Health & Hygiene to youth by utilizing age-appropriate modules. Youth will be taught Personal Hygiene and Oral Hygiene. Older youth will be taught about STD prevention. All youth will receive personal hygiene kits.
Substance Abuse & Group/Individual Therapy Program
The mission of R-Block Counseling Therapy Program is to provide a range of individual and group therapy modalities for our clients. Additionally, therapists provide coaching and support for staff assigned to the treatment program. Therapists provide treatment for individuals who present with challenging treatment issues such as emotional or borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, a history of sexual abuse, anger management problems, co existing substance abuse/mental health issues and behaviors indicating the need for treatment with detailed behavioral programs.
► Case Management and parenting education services
Our services are provided by licensed therapist and supervised interns.
► Individual and group therapy focus on:
• education about addiction and mental illness
• antecedents to substance use
• changing maladaptive behaviors, thoughts, and emotions
• relapse prevention
►Individual counseling
Treatment utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), didactic/teaching approaches, are available for the following:
• addiction
• depression & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• family issues
• personality disorders
• self-esteem issues
• anger management
Additional group and individual therapy will be developed to meet the needs of our patients and their treatment teams
Computer Literacy Program
The Computer Literacy program offers exposure to the hardware, terminology, and functions of the personal computer. Hands-on experience using popular software will allow exploration and give students a basic introduction to
• Windows
• Excel
• Word processing
• Spreadsheets
• Electronic presentations (Power Point)
• Database management networks
• Exploring the Internet
• Basic Computer operating systems.
The Computer Literacy program provides students with entry-level skills and the essential knowledge needed to succeed in the beginning stages within the computer field. Through theoretical discussions and a "hands-on" approach, students will explore the computer concepts, while developing skills necessary to enter and succeed in the work environment.
Our Programs
Domestic Violence Program
R-BLOCK Inc. works in conjunction with the Department of Juvenile Services and other Community & Faith Based Organizations in providing child, medical, and individual counseling; and support groups to young adults and child victims/survivors, family members, and friends who are exposed to domestic violence. Youth services component provides anti-bullying education and dating violence education.
Anyone who has been a victim or a witness to family and domestic violence, or community member or professional needing domestic violence information. R-BLOCK Inc. welcomes walk ins and referrals from other agencies. (Services are in a secure space and safe environment)
Program Objectives
1. Increasing the client's knowledge about the effects of violence on community
2. Decreasing the client's acceptance of violence as an acceptable way of solving problems.
3. Increased utilization of social and psychological counseling services and appropriate referrals for legal aid and medical treatment.
Gang Interventions & Alternatives Program
Through the R-BLOCK Inc's Gang Prevention Program, an anti-gang strategy that includes gang prevention and intervention will be developed. Partnerships will be established with law enforcement agencies, schools, and youth service agencies, so that we may effectively combat & target violent youth for alternative services. Conducting education, intervention and awareness workshops within the school system will take place to strengthen our relationship with students & potential gang members providing them with alternatives to deviant behavior, thus maintaining a safe environment for learning. This initiative is designed to measurably reduce crime and violence among youth.
The following are the objectives of the program:
• Mobilize the local community to implement strategies regarding gang violence;
• Provide educational seminars and build awareness among school staff regarding youth gangs
• Provide education and build awareness among parents and local community members regarding the impact youth gangs have on the community
• Identify at-risk youth and deter gang membership.
The Gang Prevention Program targets youth between the ages of 8 to 24 years, all of whom can fall victim to any of the following conditions which lead to gang recruitment;
• Association with acknowledged gang members (family or friends) living in the community
• Occasionally wear gang colors, use of gang symbols, or flash gang signs
• Are performing poorly in school
• Poor attendance in school
• Using drugs or Alcohol
• Having one or more arrests
• Bullying
Job Readiness Program
R-BLOCK Inc's Job readiness program places an emphasis on both job and life skills.
R-BLOCK Inc. assesses that you can't have one without the other. Job readiness includes an attitude of a willingness to work. We will work with the youth on the basics of job readiness skills with includes;
• How to fill out a job application
• How to dress appropriately for a job interview
• Tools for successful job seeking
• How to successfully interview for a job ( Performing mock interviews)
• How to write cover letters and resumes