Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center

About Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center

Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center is one of three youth centers located on the Campus at Mount View (CAMV) in Denver. Betty K. Marler serves committed female youth with a focus on long-term treatment.

Programming at the Campus at Mount View includes long-term treatment for boys, long-term treatment for girls, and services for detention youth. In accordance with the Division of Youth Services Treatment Model, all detained and committed youth at each youth center are assigned a behavioral health specialist who provides individual therapy each week. They also attend at least three treatment groups every week. Unit security staff also offer organized psychoeducational and problem-solving groups.

As part of treatment, the youth center utilizes a number of evidence-based curriculums for detained and committed youth, including Getting Motivated for Change, Handling Difficult Feelings, Start Now, Voices, and Beyond Trauma. Clinicians provide crisis management as needed. Also, CAMV offers a monthly Family Orientation Group for families/natural supports who have a child committed to DYS.

Continue reading about Betty K. Marler's approach to serving youth

Level System

The Campus at Mount View’s behavior management program, P.E.A.K., is applicable to all detained and committed youth. P.E.A.K. stands for Participate Safely, Express Care and Respect, Accept Accountability, and Know and Use Your Skills. The program focuses on behavior, goal setting, strengths, teaching skills, and the use of positive reinforcement through a level system. The youth may move forward through the levels based on positive participation in school, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships with staff and peers, and active participation in treatment including group and individual therapy. Youth also are required to successfully complete level packets. Behavioral health, education, and security staff work collaboratively to evaluate each youth’s readiness to move to the next level of P.E.A.K. Each progressive level affords youth increased incentives and privileges.

Secondary education program  

Colorado State teachers provide educational programming for youth on committed status. Jefferson County School District teachers provide educational programming for youth on detained status. School is a major part of the total facility program, and the school welcomes all students to take advantage of increasing their learning power.

Students attend school daily, year-round, with a focus on all core content areas as well as life skills and various elective opportunities. Students will receive educational credits that can be transferred to their next educational placement. Students who complete all elements of the CAMV graduation criteria will be eligible for their diploma. Graduation ceremonies take place at various times throughout the year.

Committed students who do not have sufficient high school credits and have been deemed appropriate by the principal, along with the Education Central Office, may begin preparing for the GED. Students who display the needed skills on practice exams will be given the opportunity to take all of the required exams for their GED.

Postsecondary/career and technical education programming

Committed students who have earned their diploma or GED will be enrolled in our postsecondary/career and technical education program. Currently, the program offers students the opportunity to participate in barbering, culinary arts, graphic design, and various online certifications including OSHA, hospitality and resort management, and many others. Students may also have the opportunity to be enrolled in online college courses for college credit.

Vocational opportunities

Vocational programming (food services, maintenance work crew, etc.) is offered on campus. In order to participate in any service, youth must first complete a job application. To participate in these programs, youths’ MDT must be in agreement. If youth have completed their high school diploma or GED, they are eligible to participate in these programs and receive wages that are held in an account until discharge.