AG 1999 05 17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Children referred for TM will actually be considered as part of the Teen Court program. Referrals to TM automatically enter the referred youth at the first level of TC intervention. Referring parties will explain to the referred students that either failure to attend TM or failure to live up to the conditions agreed upon in TM, unless attendance has improved, will result in being automatically moved up to the next level of TC involvement, i.e., contacted for an assessment as is done with direct TC referrals and scheduled for a TC hearing with sentencing options as indicated on the TC sentencing grid. Failure to attend TM, a TC hearing, or to comply with either the TM agreement or the TC sentence will result in the youth being referred back to the referral source to take whatever action they deem necessary. * At the TM sessions the TC Coordinator or other trained staffmediators, if needed for assistance, will mediate between the referred youth, the parent/custodian, and the school official in attendance who will provide an update on the status of the situation since the referral was received, and other resources used, provide an explanation of compulsory school attendance laws and discuss possible recourses to be used should school attendance not improve, including the scheduling of a TC hearing, that failing, possible court action against the juvenile and/or the parent/custodian contingent upon certain factors. Referrals to other community resources will be discussed, including inclusion of the youth and parent/custodian in RESOLVE. · The Coordinator will maintain records and verification of contacts made in much the same manner as with a direct TC referral. The process will involve: evaluating the referral form, notifying the referring source and the referred juvenile of its acceptance or non-acceptance, setting up and maintaining a file on each accepted youth, interviewing the referred youth and parent/custodian, notifying them and the school official of the TM session date, maintaining contact with the youth and school officials for 90 days, at least once every 30 days. At any point that the Coordinator and school officials determine that the youth is not complying with the condition agreed upon in TM, the case will be treated as any other TC case and those procedures would then take place. For information on other truancy-related programs and what factors contribute to a successful program, refer to the Attachments Section of this Program Agreemeng As to the current status of the RESOLVE component of TC, the first eight-week session will begin in late April or early May of 99. These classes will deal with lifeskills building/enhancing skills such as: communication styles, anger management, conflict styles and skills, values and beliefs, and negotiation within the family unit. These classes will be open to non-TC pzaxicipants, space permitting, with priority given to TC participants. The class size will he limited to 12 juveniles and at least one parent/custodian. Referrals may come fi.om the same sources as Teen Court and Truancy Mediation with the additional resource of the Department of Social Services for juveniles already involved with either the Home-Based Services Unit, the Family Preservation Unit, or the Treatment Unit. Referrals are to be submitted by use ora written form which will be evaluated by the TC Coordinator for appropriateness. The Coordinator '.viii notify the referred parties and the referral sources of acceptance or non-acceptance into the program. No assessment interview is needed for this service. Files and records similar to those set up for TC and for TM will be maintained. The duration of contact with the juvenile and parent/custodian will be 90 days in order to ascertain the effectiveness of the program. Classes last for two hours and are held weekly for the eight weeks. Curriculum developed and used by the Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina will be used. Certificates of completion will be given to participants who do complete the eight-week session and written evaluations will be obtained fi.om the participants. The case will be terminated after completion of the eight-week sessions. However, the Coordinator will attempt to make follow-up contacts within 30 days of completion to ascertain the effectiveness of the program. CCMC staffand volunteers will assist the main facilitators with the sessions. The person originally selected to begin RESOLVE facilitation on a contractual basis had a change in his work schedule which now prevents his assistance in RESOLVE. Several willing and qualified facilitators have been contacted and contracts for their assistance is underway. The goal will be for 20 youth to successfully complete RESOLVE. In conclusion, the CCMC has developed these services to address the needs of the community's youth who are beginning to exhibit negative behaviors. These youth have the potential to be community leaders and to achieve positive goals in their lives. The CCMC is excited to offer these services in cooperation with other youth serving agencies.