Van Vleck House opened in 1977 to provide prevention, early intervention and treatment programs for Teton County youth. In 1986, Van Vleck House added the Group Home and Crisis Shelter to meet expanded community need for intervention and treatment services.
PROGRAMS - Van Vleck House
Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) is a summer program for Teton County children ages 10-14. The program teaches outdoor and problem-solving skills, as well as building positive peer relationships and effective communication. JHLP is open to all community youth. 2010 Jackson Hole Leadership Program
registration is now open: Information and Registration (PDF)
FACT: Since its inception in 1992, JHLP has worked with over 3,000 children.
The Kid’s Club is an after-school program offered in collaboration with Teton County Parks and Recreation and available to all children in the Teton County School district enrolled in grades K-5. Kid’s Club is held at both Jackson and Colter Elementary Schools and serves approximately 200 children each year. Van Vleck House staff use experiential games to help children in grades K-2 learn to identify emotions, have empathy for others, and enhance their ability to learn in school by relating well with teachers and other students. At Colter Elementary, both the emotional/behavioral curriculum and high interest clubs are offered to help children grades 3-5 develop skills and experience new activities.
FACT: According to a study by the Wyoming Dept. of Health in 2004, 100% of the children in Kid’s Club had improved behavior and grades in school.
Summer Activities Scholarship Fund The Summer Activities Scholarship Fund is designed to help families afford summer programs for their children. We understand that summer programming will be more of a "luxury" for families this summer due to the current state of the economy. For these reasons the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole together with TYFS is helping to insure that these programs continue to thrive within Teton County. This money will be awarded to youth within Teton County who would like to participate in summer activities, but whose families lack the financial resources. This money is not intended to replace the scholarship funds that programs may already have in place, but to suppliment them. Our hope is that families will also assess their own abilities and what they are capable of paying, since scholarship money will be limited. To apply please download the scholarship application form (PDF)
Court Programs provide a variety of interventions: risk assessment for the placement of juveniles who have been detained by law enforcement; diversion from the Circuit Court for first-time offenders; and a probation program for Circuit Court. Both programs use a Restorative Justice model which allows us to help youth make amends for their behavior through mediated conferences with victims and meaningful community service.
FACT:Research has shown that clear and consistent intervention with first-time offenders prevents delinquency.
Our four bed Crisis Shelter at Adams Canyon provides crisis placements for up to 30 days for youth 10-18 who are in a variety of situations, including youth who: are out of the control of their parents; are minor legal offenders; are in need of safe shelter due to homelessness, abuse, neglect, or family violence.
Placements can be arranged directly by parents or with the assistance of law enforcement or the Wyoming Department of Family Services. The Therapist and the Program Manager work with each resident and his/her family to assess the situation and help to find solutions. To assure children’s safety is the first consideration, there is no cost for a crisis placement.
FACT: More than 80% of our crisis placements do not need court involvement.
The Group Home provides court-ordered and private placement for youth 10-18 in need of a structured therapeutic environment in Jackson.
FACT: 85% of the children that spend time in the Group Home return home successfully.