AG 2002 07 22 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Briefly describe what the program ex. Sects to achieve and why. The narrative should address each of the items. (1) Identify the staff and their responsibilities to the program, (2) describe the physical facilities in which the services will be delivered, (3) discuss any areas of concern that could affect the success of the program (4) discuss why these resources used in the manner described should be expected to alter inappropriate behavior, (5) describe the referral, screening and admission procedures, (6) describe the means of working with youth and families, (7) describe the protective factors the program will use to address the identified risk factors, (8) describe the daily program activities and, (9) describe the termination procedures and (10) describe the interaction with juvenile court. (1)The staff consists, of the Program Coordinators and a District Supervisor in each Judicial District. Both positions carry a full caseload of 25 participants. These staff are responsible for; (a) the intake process, Co) developing, planning, scheduling, supervising, and verifying community service and restitution activities for youth involved in'the program. (c) end of month paperwork that includes recidivism tracking of past participants and client tracking, (d) attending juvenile 'court when necessary, (e) to participate as a secondary guide on the wilderness trips, (f) transporting participants when necessary, (g) attending JCPC, interagency and other meetings that support the success of the children served. In addition the District Supervisors are also responsible for personnel issues within the district and supporting the Program Coordinators in the above tasks. (2) The facilities that are utilized vary between community service activities and include but are not limited to, working with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, food drives, humane society's, tutoring, convalescent homes, as well as many others across the state. The wilderness trips take place in various areas within the state. (3) Since 100% of the participants come from Juvenile Court the one concern has to do with how juvenile caseloads c-~n vary from year to year..Funding is also of concern in that with small amounts of funds available it is difficult to keep staff because of low salary levels. As it relates to the success to the individual participants the types of community service activities is in direct relation to the success of the program. (4) Through the activities that Project Challenge involves the program participants in; they learn a sense of community and are introduced to the concept of the giving ofselfto others. By giving within their community they become more involved within that community and this increases their contact with good role models and the influences those role models bring. They also learn that by giving to others they enrich their own lives. This helps the youth to understand that they are valuable, needed members of their community with a much to provide, this by itself helps to deter further involvement in criminal behavior. (5) Juvenile court and the Juvenile Court Counselors refer all participants. Project Challenge provides diversion, level I and level Il services to the Juvenile Court. (6) Community service and restitu'tion activities are performed with a max 1-5 staffpartieipant ratio. When necessary this may be a one on one ratio. The community service and wilderness activities are the means with which the program works with the youth. Parents are involved by Program Coordinator contact, keeping them informed about progress in the program and asking for input to assess the affect of the community service activities on the youth. ,Each youth has an individual program plan that describes the goals and time line that the youth must abide by in order to successfully complete the program. (7) Through various community service activities, both educational and challenging, many of the identified factors will be addressed for both participants and parents. (8) Activities are provided after school and on Saturdays during the school year and Monday through Saturday during other times. The wilderness trips vary depending on the season, caseloads, and volume of youth to be served. (9) Youth that are successfully terminated from the program are done So by fulfilling their community service and restitution obligation to the court or diversion contract. l 0) Project Challenge views the Court Counselors as customers and tailors the program accordingly. DJJDPIPAIIlO 1 4