Features Editor

Any facility that grades out 100 on all mandatory and non-mandatory standards, should be the talk of the town, but the Troy Group Home remains one of the best kept secrets in Pike County.

Some people don’t even know the group home exists, but it does and it is making a difference in the lives of many young women.

Placement in the group home is provided for adjudicated females between the ages of 12

and 18 who have been court-committed to the Department of Youth Services.

The success of the Troy Group Home is evident in the perfect rating it received in the 1998 audit by the American Correctional Association.

"To receive 100 on all mandatory and non-mandatory standards is very unusual and we received special recognition for it," said Susan Haug, director of the group home. "It shows that our residents have learned the value of individual effort and teamwork. We are audited by the ACA every three years and, we have been preparing for the upcoming audit May 7 and 8 and our residents have worked very hard to prepare for the audit. We might not rate 100 on all standards, but I believe the scores will reflect the same kind of individual effort and teamwork as in 1998."

Haug said the auditors will "check out" all areas of the facility, including the physical condition of the facility, the quality of life, overall operating procedures, records, personnel files and resident files.

Haug said the Troy Group Home serves an average of 35 young women a year. The maximum number of residents housed at one time is 10. Currently, there are 10 residents at the facility.

"Our residents are enrolled in public school," she said. "Their daily routine includes assigned daily chores, an hour of fitness and an hour of quiet time. They have scheduled free time to watch television or do other things they enjoy. They also have group meetings for educational purposes and we take them to outings in the community."

Haug said Troy State University is very generous in allowing the residents to attend plays and athletic events and use the track and indoor swimming pool.

"The high school also allows the residents to attend athletic events and the residents may try out for a team if they are in compliance with school rules."

Haug said individual service plans are developed for each resident and group, individual and family counseling sessions are provided.

The regular group home placement is four to six months and the pre-release program placement lasts from six to 12 weeks.

"Release or discharge is contingent upon substantial completion of an individual service plan," Haug said.

The Troy Group Home was established by the Alabama Department of Youth Services in May 1978.

The minimum security facility operates through contact with the Alabama Department of Youth Services and Troy State University.

The home has a living room, kitchen, dining room and recreational room, five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, staff bedroom and full bath, along with three staff offices.