Occupational Therapists are Chasing Change in Juvenile Corrections

Amy Hoover, OTD, OTR/L

How do you chase change while teaching regulation? Can speeding up actually help youth slow down? These are questions occupational therapists of Unlocking Potential Therapies, LLC (UP) have been asking at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. As regulation needs continue to increase with the at-risk youth population, occupational therapists (OTs) are getting creative to meet those needs.

UP’s OT team recently launched Chasing Change, a run club designed to help justice-involved youth build self-regulation, endurance, and confidence. The program has completed two cycles since initiating in the summer of 2025. It was inspired by the Utah State Correctional Facility completing their first half marathon.

One Chasing Change participant stated, “Run club got a lot of things off my mind. I want to run in the community to continue getting things off my mind. It also makes me tired and helps me manage my energy. Running made me feel like I wasn’t in jail.”

Youth voluntarily participated in a six-to-eight-week program meeting a few times each week to run for approximately 30-45 minutes outside. They gradually increased their speed and distance in order to prepare for a 5k race at the end of the program. This took dedication and discipline to show up to practice and continue working towards a distant goal. As endurance grew, so did pride and confidence.

Therapeutic intervention was embedded into every session. Youth completed Zones of Regulation check-ins at the beginning and end of each session. This social-emotional learning framework uses color-coded zones to help youth identify emotions, alertness levels, and energy states. Participants were encouraged to notice any changes in their zone or need for adjustment. Other treatment occurred in each run session with topics including health management, goal-setting, motivation, and interoception.

The program has hosted two 5k races since its initiation and equates to 10 laps around the facility yard. Faculty members including administration, teachers, youth specialists, behavioral health staff, recreation staff, and operations managers lined the “track” to support the youth. Staff held motivational signs and helped youth pace themselves.

Staff noticed their youth were more engaged and regulated in school after these run club sessions.

Deputy Superintendent of Program Services Ryan Heimberger noted, “I’ve seen our youth greatly benefit from the camaraderie of the run club. They enjoy looking forward to the regular training runs as they prepare for our 5k races. All youth are appreciative of the opportunity as they strive for their personal best. We are fortunate to have the staff who proposed the idea of this initiative through which our youth benefit physically, mentally, and socially.”

Chasing Change does more than build endurance. Victoria Baker, OTD, OTR/L, Co-Founder & Treasurer of UP stated, “This initiative showcases the tangible results of what happens when our OT team collaborates to create meaningful engagement. I saw firsthand how it sparked motivation, purpose, and a sense of ownership over health while helping individuals practice goal-directed persistence and emotional regulation.

It motivates prosocial behavior, fosters healthy competition, and strengthens positive relationships. The program has served as motivation for youth to maintain prosocial behavior and work towards their goals. It has also served as healthy competition and a space to build positive relationships with one another.

“Run club is a great example of how powerful occupation-based interventions are in addressing mental health and wellness. The impact goes beyond the client’s participation and has spread to the facility at large, bringing more dignity, positivity, and connection to staff and youth.” Rachel Dowdy, MOT, OTR/L, Co-Founder & President of Unlocking Potential Therapies.

Through leisure exploration and exposure to new activities, OT staff encourage healthy leisure in the community upon reentry. When warmer temperatures return, so will the miles.