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COMPONENT NARRATIVE (attach for each component)
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<br />Briefly describe what the program expects to achieve and why. The narrative should address each of these items.
<br />(1) Identify the staff and their responsibilities to the program, (2) describe the physical facilities tn which the
<br />services will be delivered, (3) dtscuss any areas of concern that could affect the success of the program, (4)
<br />discuss why these resources used in the manner descrtbed should be expected to alter inappropriate behavior, (5)
<br />describe the referral, screening, and admission procedures, (6) describe the means of working with youth and
<br />families, (7) describe the protective factors the program will use to address the tdentified risk factors, (8) describe
<br />the daily program activities and, (9) describe the termination procedures and (1 O) describe the interaction with
<br />Juvenile court.
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<br />1) The staff consists of Program Coordinators and a District Supervisor in each Judicial District. Both positions cam/a full
<br /> caseload of 25 participants. Staff is responsible for;, (a)the intake process, (b)developing, planning, scheduling,
<br /> supervising participant and volunteers. Verifying community service and restitution activities for youth involved in the
<br /> program, (c)end-of-month pape~ork which includes recidivism backing of past participants and client backing,
<br /> (d)attending juvenile court, (e)participation as a secondary guide on the wildemecs trips, (f)transporting the participants
<br /> when necessary, (g)attending JCPC, interagency and other meetings that support the success of the children served. In
<br /> addition,-District Supervisors are responsible for personnel issues within the district and supporting the Program
<br /> Coordinators in the above tasks.
<br />2) The facilities that are utilized vary with community service activilJes and include but are not limited to, food drives, lire
<br /> departments, nursing homes, parks and mc, and others. Project Challenge will strive to set up regular and consistent CS
<br /> sites such as those listed above. The wilderness trips take place in various areas within the state.
<br />3) One concem is the variance in caseload from year to year due to the fact that 100% of our referrals come from juvenile
<br /> court. Funding is a concern due to the limited resoumec provided to local programs. Salaries remain meager resulting in
<br /> moderate tumover. Also, a direct correlation may be drawn between participant performance in community service
<br /> activities and program success.
<br />4) Through opportunities provided by Project Challenge, participants learn a sense of community and are introduced to the
<br /> concept of giving of self to others. Through this giving, community involvement is increased, as well as contact with
<br /> positive role models and influences. While helping others, pa~cipants learn that they also enrich their lives. This helps
<br /> the youth understand that they are valuable, needed members of their community with much to provide which helps deter
<br /> further involvement in criminal behavior.
<br />5) 100% of the participants are Juvenile Court and Juvenile Court Counselors referred. All referrals are screened by the
<br /> Juvenile Court Counselors for the appropriateness of our program. Project Challenge provides diversion, Level I, and
<br /> Level II services to the Juvenile Court. Once the referral has been made, an intake process is perfon'ned. This process
<br /> includes completing appropriate applications, medcal and emergency contact information and all pertinent program
<br /> related information. At this time both the participant and the parent/guardian is informed of the roll Project Challenge plays
<br /> and what is expected from both the child and guardian.
<br />6) Community Servica and restitution activities are performed with a maximum 1:5 ratio. Staff/participant interactions occur
<br /> during community service and wildamess t~p activities. Program Coordinators inform families of parlJcipant progress and
<br /> rely on familial input to evaluate participant's success at home. Each youth has an individual program plan that describes
<br /> the goals and time line with which the youth must comply in order to successfully complete the program.
<br />7) Project Challenge staff identifies Indviduai characteristics in participants and assesses their strengths and interests.
<br /> Community service activities are then identified that may appeal to each participant. Project Challenge offers
<br /> opportunities and facilitates skill acquisition, which may result in positive recognition within the community. By setting
<br /> clear rules and boundaries and establishing a high expectation for success, Project Challenge aids participants in
<br /> adopting healthy beliefs and clear standards consistent with the community within which they live.
<br />8) Daily program activities include performing community se~ce at a variety of sites. These include nursing homes, food
<br /> pan,es, animal shelters, parks and recreation departments, literacy councils, civic agencies and individuals in need within
<br /> a community. During the school year, these activities take place after school hours, and on Saturdays. Daily program
<br /> activities may also involve participation the wildamess adventure component of Project Challenge. These trips are
<br /> conducted in National Forests and Wilderness Areas throughout the state.
<br />9) Youth are terminated when they have successfully fulfilled their community service and/or restitution obligation to the court
<br /> or diversion contract.
<br />10) Project Challenge views the Court Counselors as customers and tailors the program accordingly. Court Counselors
<br /> receive monthly reports on the progress of participants, as well as letters of completion and non-compliance. Project
<br /> Challenge staff members are expe(3tad to attend Juvenile Court.
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