BEHAVIORAL SYSTEMS SOUTHWEST

Behavioral Systems Southwest (BSS) is a social service agency designed to address the criminogenic needs of the ex-offender population by introducing evidence-based, cognitive behavioral intervention. Our mission is to help problematic people change their life style. Emphasis is placed on showing individuals how to lead a more productive, self-supporting, drug-free life, thus breaking the criminal cycle. Because our clients have ultimately engaged in activity that resulted in the deprivation of their freedom, the skills BSS is committed to assisting the clients in learning are fundamental to their overall well-being, their ability to reintegrate effectively into the community, while displaying socially conforming behavior and activities. To accomplish our mission, BSS conducts programming in the following areas, using Cognitive Behavioral Change curricula and counseling techniques: Life Skills Development Anger Management Stress Management Money Management Effective Parenting Housing Development Job Search Assistance Employability Development Substance Abuse Education and Counseling BSS is uniquely qualified to provide the services identified, while meeting the needs of our clients. In 1971, BSS, formerly a non-profit organization known as Special Project Alcohol and Narcotics (SPAN), successfully secured federal funds to establish a rehabilitation program for heroin addicts, with primary focus being placed on education and substance abuse counseling. This program operated on the campus of California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. In 1976, a contract was negotiated to operate alcohol recovery homes through the County of San Bernardino. Then, in the late 1970's, BSS secured federal contracts to manage community treatment centers for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and outpatient counseling services became available to drinking drivers and traffic violators, supported by Los Angeles County, Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs. In the early 1980's, BSS began working with the California Department of Corrections and Immigration and Naturalization Service, operating the first privately operated community-based work furlough and holding facilities. Further, in the mid-1980's, BSS opened its first juvenile treatment center, Pegasus, in Phoenix, Arizona. Pegasus provided residential services for females, between the ages of 14 and 21. Program services were geared toward the development of positive self-image, education and independent living. Currently, BSS provides community correctional services to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in California and Arizona, via residential re-entry centers, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by operating residential parolee service centers and a non-residential day reporting center, United States Pretrial Services, by offering short-term residential treatment services and Los Angeles County, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, through the non-residential drinking driver program.