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PROGRAM NARRATIVE
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<br />Briefly describe what the program expects to achieve and why. ,~t a minimum, the narrative should include the
<br />following information: (l) ldentify the staff and their respor~ibilities to the program,
<br />(2) describe the physical facilities in which the services will be delivered. (3.) discuss any areas of concern that
<br />could affqct the success of the program (4) discuss why these resources u~ed in the manner described should be
<br />expected to alter inappropriate behavior, (5) describe the referral, screening and admission procedures, (6)
<br />describe the mean~ of working with youth and families, (7) describe the daily program activities, (8) describe the
<br />termination procedures and (9) interaction with juvenile court.
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<br /> The Cabarrus County Mediation Center, Inc., (CCMC), is a 501(cX3) non-profit agency governed by a
<br /> Board of Directors and having a Teen Court Advisory Board in place. CCMC began in July of 1996 and provides a
<br /> variety of services which include: mediation services for court-referred and non court-referred situations, conflict
<br /> resolution training for groups and agencies, and the Teen Court Program. Typical situations mediated at the CCMC
<br /> are those which involve neighbors, former fi'lends, family members, and co-workers. These situations may include
<br /> acts such as: harassing phone calls, trespass, communicating threats, injury to property, simple assault, and family-
<br /> oriented conflicts such as impending separation/divorce, and teenage/parent communication problems.
<br /> The CCMC's Teen Court Program (TC) began in late 1998 in an effort to provide prevention and early
<br />intervention services to youth exhibiting delinquent and txuant behaviors. TC is an alternative system of justice
<br />using the positive influences of peer pressure to hold juvenile offenders accountable by a jury of their peers for
<br />certain types of misdemeanor offenses and truancy. To be eligible for TC offenders must: be 11-15 years of age,
<br />currently enrolled in school, not on a long-term suspension/expulsion from school, not previously adjudicated
<br />delinquent or undisciplined, must admit responsibility, and be willing to accept a sentence imposed by the TC.
<br />Offenses generally accepted for TC include: harassing phone calls, trespass, communicating threats, simple assault,
<br />simple affray, larceny, property damage, and trnancy. Youth volunteers fulfill the roles of jurors, attorney panel
<br />members, bailiffs, and clerks of court. Practicing or retired judges or attorneys fulfill the role of the TC Judge. All
<br />participants in TC sessions sign an Oath of Confidentiality. Offenders are sentenced using a sentencing grid.
<br />Offenses are classified into three levels with more sentencing options allowed for the more serious level of offenses.
<br />Sentencing conditions may include: mandatory jury service for a certain number of TC sessions; mandatory
<br />community service for a certain number of hours, not to exceed 20 hours; monetary compensation to the victim(s),
<br />not to exceed $200, using mediation if necessary for the details; letters of apology; written essays, typically about
<br />the impact of the offense upon the juvenile, victim(s), family, and community; and participation in RESOLVE or
<br />other community resources if deemed appropriate by both the parent/custodian and TC Coordinator, hereafter
<br />referred to as TCC. Conditions may be appealed to the TC Judge who may alter conditions, while reserving the
<br />right to request verification of reasons given for the requested changes(s). Referrals to TC may come from: Office
<br />of Juvenile Justice, certain school personnel, law enforcement agencies, and School Resource Officers. The
<br />program began taking referrals in mid-September after meeting with various school officials, School Resource
<br />Officers (SRO's), and the staffofthe Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ). Eleven referrals have been received thus far,
<br />with six juveniles currently participating in TC. Several referrals are in pending status. Referral, screening,
<br />admission procedures, daily program activities, termination procedures, and interaction with referred juveniles,
<br />parents/custodians, referring parties/agencies, and with the OlJ are as follows:
<br /> The aforementioned referral sources submit referral forms and release of information forms which are screened
<br /> by the TC Coordinator. Forms include information on any OJJ contact, school, and home behavior, reasons for
<br /> the referral, and other relevant information.
<br />· If appropriate for TC, referred juvenile is scheduled for an assessment interview with TC Coordinator.
<br /> They must be accompanied by a parent/custodian. The TC Program is explained to those present, including
<br /> program purpose and requirements, possible sentencing options available to the TC jury, length of contact with
<br /> the juvenile, family, and referral source, nature of the contact, possible consequences for noncompliance and
<br /> what constitutes program compliance/noncompliance.
<br />· lfthe juvenile and parent/custodian consent to accept TC requirements and TC involvement is deemed
<br /> appropriate by the Coordinator, the juvenile is then notified by mail of their scheduled TC sentencing hearing.
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