Title II Delinquency Prevention & Intervention Programs

Congress established the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act in 1974 to assist communities in addressing the problems of juvenile crime and delinquency. As amended in 2002, the JJDP Act created the Formula Grants Program (Title II, Part B), which supports State and local efforts to prevent/reduce delinquency and to improve the juvenile justice system.

After Congress appropriates funds, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awards formula grants to States on the basis of their proportionate population under age 18. Units of local government and private nonprofit agencies are eligible for funding. Additionally, a portion of the monies is granted to Native American projects for prevention and intervention activities. Title II funds support community-based programs addressing priority areas identified by States in their comprehensive juvenile justice. In California, program options include the following:

Community-based alternatives to incarceration;

Community-based programs and services to work with parents and families.

Projects designed to develop and implement youth advocacy activities;

Educational programs, including alternatives to suspensions and expulsions;

Expanded use of home probation;

Youth initiated outreach programs;

Programs designed to prevent and reduce hate crimes committed by juveniles; and

Programs (including referral to literacy programs and social services) to assist families with limited English speaking ability and thereby facilitate treatment of juveniles in these families.

 

Below are brief descriptions and contact information for the local programs currently supported by Title II funding. The counties in which the programs operate are listed alphabetically.

County:  Alameda
Implementing Agency: Asian Community Mental Health Services
Grant Amount: $200,000
Contact: John Fong johnf@acmhs.org
Description: Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership involves 350 youth, ages 10-16, in six ethnic and neighborhood-based Youth Leadership Organizations. The program consists of four components: 1) creating safes spaces where youth can socialize and support each other; 2) leading group discussions and providing individual counseling services to help youth make healthy life decisions; 3) community volunteering; 4) and promoting intercultural understanding and respect through artist-in-residence projects.

 

County:  Alameda
Implementing Agency: Youth Employment Partnership, Inc
Grant Amount:   $200,000
Contact:  Michele Clark mcc@yep.org

Description: Youth Employment Partnership, Inc. serves youth ages 14-18 who are students at Oakland's alternative education sites or who have otherwise left mainstream education. Staff at the sites assess and refer at-risk students to the program, which seeks to increase the youth's participation in school while helping them to develop work skills, gain employment experience, address personal barriers or obstacles, and enhance their ability to secure employment or entrance into higher education.

County:  Butte
Implementing Agency:  Butte County Office Of Education
Grant Amount: $200,000
Contact:  Marian Gage mgage@bcoe.org

 

Description: The Community of Oroville Risk Easement Project targets three school districts within the Greater Oroville Area to address youth violence on school campuses. Services include elementary student buddy pairs, Aggression Replacement Training, staff training, classroom meetings, and school-wide events as well as parent involvement activities. The program also includes mentors and a six-hour education component for students referred for violence.

 

County:  Fresno
Implementing Agency:  Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Fresno, King & Madera Counties
Grant Amount:  $170,187
Contact:  Elena Romero eromero@bigs.org

Description: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Fresno, Kings and Madera Counties implements a full cadre of mentoring strategies that have proved effective in other service areas, including site-based mentoring at schools and one-on-one mentoring. The agency partners with Reef Sunset School District, Madera Unified School District, and Corcoran High School.

 

County:  Humboldt Probation Department
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Bill Damiano bdamiano@co.humboldt.ca.us

Description: The Humboldt Drug Court program serves wards of the juvenile court, ages 12 to 17, who have been identified as having high risk factors related to personal alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug use, parental alcohol/substance abuse, and antisocial/gang behavior. The program involves assessment, individual case planning and management, treatment, and participation in pro-social activities as well as frequent court appearances, supervision within the community, and the use of incentives and graduated sanctions to respond to compliant and non-compliant behavior.

 

County:   Kern
Implementing Agency:  District Attorney
Grant Amount: $178,126
Contact:  Holly Mitchell HMITCHELL@co.kern.ca.us

Description: The primary goal of the Stay in School Program is to curb juvenile delinquency through school truancy reduction. Secondary objectives include improved academic performance and reduced criminal delinquency. A District Attorney representative leads a collaborative effort with law enforcement and school personnel that consists of educational presentations, in-service training for school personnel, continuous interaction with at-risk students and parents, one-on-one counseling sessions, student attendance review boards, and prosecution under the education or penal code when warranted.

 

County:  Kern
Implementing Agency:  Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL)
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Sgt. Scott Faulkenberry scott@bakersfieldpal.org

Description: The Bakersfield PAL operates an after school prevention program that offers at-risk youth a healthy alternative to the temptations of drug and alcohol abuse, gang involvement and crime. One of the program's goals is to break the cycle of poverty, crime and drug use by offering youth educational and recreational opportunities (e.g., sports) not otherwise available to them. The youth take part in drug/gang awareness programs and seminars lead by police officers.

 

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County:  Kings
Implementing Agency: Kings County Alcohol & Other Drug Programs
Grant Amount:  $199,500
Contact:  Mary Anne Ford Sherman msherman@co.kings.ca.us

Description: Youthnet operates in conjunction with the Probation Department's other Title II program, Family Intervention Strategies, to form a continuum of prevention and intervention for families at greatest risk in the community. Youthnet provides a "safety net" for the siblings of high-risk youth and their families. The program employs home visits, a youth hotline and a youth resource/social center to achieve prevention goals.

 

County:  Kings Probation Department
Grant Amount:  $199,911
Contact:  Kelly Vernon kvernon@co.kings.ca.us

 

Description: The Family Intervention Strategies provides comprehensive case management to status offenders (e.g., chronic truants, runaways, habitual curfew violators) and their parents. The program, which operates in tandem with Youthnet, involves home visits, therapeutic intervention, parent groups, neighborhood advisory boards and restorative justice programs.

 

County:  Los Angeles
Implenting Agency:  Centinela Valley Juvenile Diversion Project
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Steve Goldsmith steve@cvjdp.org

Description: The Comprehensive Youth Services program is a multi-faceted initiative to help divert youth who may be on track to becoming repeat criminal offenders, school dropouts, or involved in gangs and drugs. The three interconnected programs are: 1) Victim/Offender Restitution Service, which provides mediation between the first and second time juvenile offender and the crime victim; 2) Families Able to Resolve Situations, which provides mediation for the families of targeted youth; and 3) In-School Suspension Program, which keeps students who would otherwise be suspended on campus in a special classroom designed for accountability and preparation for returning to regular classes.

County:  Los Angeles
Implementing Agency:  Richstone Family Center
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Cheryl Gourgouris Cherylg7@aol.com

Description: Operation LINCS at Lennox Middle School is designed to equip at-risk youth with the skills and self-esteem needed to successfully avoid gang/criminal involvement. Services include: 1) weekly mentoring by college students who provide academic assistance and serve as positive role models; 2) individual, group and family counseling that focuses on care/coping strategies, anger management, and self-esteem; 3) intensive mentoring and case management for 20 6th grade females, with female Sheriff's Deputies providing 4-6 hours of mentoring monthly; and 4) parent outreach and involvement in services provided to the at-risk youth.

 

County: Los Angeles
Implementing Agency:  District Attorney
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Leslie Hanke Lhanke@da.co.la.ca.us

Description: The Abolish Chronic Truancy (ACT) program is a parental responsibility-based truancy reduction program. ACT works within elementary schools to identify children with attendance problems, and provides supportive assistance to families in an effort to correct school attendance problems before juvenile court action becomes necessary.

County:  Los Angeles
Implementing Agency:  Mayor's Criminal Justice Planning Office
Grant Amount:  $432,000
Contact:  Joseph G. Jackson joejackson@MAYOR.lacity.org

Description: This program is one of two Local Planning Units within the state. Funds go directly to the City of Los Angeles, which selects programs to be funded through a competitive Request for Proposal process. The following programs are currently funded.

Centinela Youth Services provides intervention services for youth residing in the 77th Area of Los Angeles. Intervention services include individual assessment, case management, Victim Offender Mediation, Families Able to Resolve Situations, and Counseling and Resouce Services.

AADAP Inc. operates a National Youth Project Using Mini-bikes (NYPUM) program in collaboration with the American Honda Corporation. NYPUM provides intervention services for youth residing in the 77th and Southwest Areas of Los Angeles. Intervention services include counseling, case management, assessment, individual sanctions schedules, academic assistance, and recreation services.

GLASS provides intervention services for youth residing in the Southwest, Wilshire, and Hollywood Areas. Intervention services target youth on probation and living in group homes. Services include job preparation, work experience, and job placement assistance.

Woodcraft Rangers provides prevention services for youth residing in Southeast Los Angeles. Services provided include academic assistance, healthy snacks, and special interest activity clubs. Prevention services target the after school hours from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Aztec Fire Fuels Crew provides intervention services for youth residing in the Northeast Area of Los Angeles. Services target out of school youth that are on probation. Services provided include individual assessment, case management, counseling, academic assistance, training on firefighting, and work experience.

All People Center provides services for youth residing in the Newton Area of Los Angeles. Prevention services include academic assistance, and themed activities aimed at developing special interests and social skills. Activities are provided during the off-track segments of the Los Angeles Unified School District year-round school sessions.

El Nido Family Centers provides intervention for youth referred from the Los Angeles Police Department and county Probation. Youth receive assessment, case management, treatment planning, and counseling. Parents of program participants receive structured educational workshops.

County:  Orange
Implementing Agency:  City Of Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Department
Grant Amount: $200,000
Contact:  Virginia Adame vadame@ci.santa-ana.ca.us

Description: The Leadership Development Strategy Program focuses on increasing students' academic achievement and reducing the number of suspensions/expulsions. The program provides remedial tutoring, positive alternative activities and support services to encourage and enable students to increase school attendance and academic performance.

 

County: Orange
Implementing Agency:  Orange County Department Of Education
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Heidi Schnell heidi_schnell@access.k12.ca.us

Description: The ACCESS Youth Refocus Program provides comprehensive services to at-risk minors in four schools in the city of Orange. The goals of the program are to decrease delinquency, lower truancy and dropout rates, and reduce incidents of depression, suicide ideation, and antisocial behaviors. The program works closely with the parents of participants.

 

County:  Placer
Implementing Agency:  Child Abuse Prevention Council
Grant Amount:  $154,280
Contact:  DeAnne Thornton deannet@vfr.net

Description: This project, which targets students at the Rock Creek Elementary School, combines family support services and mentoring provided through an integrated Family Resource Center located near the school. Students with behaviors that interfere with their classroom success may be referred by a number of sources. The Families and Schools Together component is an 8-week program of family group sessions. Playroom Pals links children with a one-on-one mentor to assist them in responding to family and school matters in a more positive manner.

 

County: Riverside
Implementing Agency:  Palm Springs Unified School District
Grant Amount:  $183,900
Contact:  Anne Kalisek akalisek@psusd.us

Description: The Case Management Services program provides intensive psychological services, mentoring, connections to community resources, and individual learning plans for 80 students at Mount San Jacinto who are engaging in high-risk behaviors. Students get referred to the program by law enforcement, the Student Attendance Review Board, and the Student Assistance Program. Specialized training for school staff enables them to more effectively work with the students and their parents.

 

County:  Sacramento
Implementing Agency:  Child Abuse Prevention Council
Grant Amount:  $199,001
Contact:  Stephanie Biegler sbiegler@capcsac.org

 

Description: Operation Graduation is a comprehensive youth development project that provides academic tutoring, peer mentoring, counseling, and home visitation services to at-risk, underperforming students (and their families) at Martin Luther King Junior Middle School. By helping these youth achieve short-term school success (e.g., better grades and attendance), the long-term goal of this program is to increase the likelihood that participants will graduate from high school and become self-sufficient.

 

County:  San Bernardino
Implementing Agency:  City Of Chino
Grant Amount:  $198,938
Contact:  Pat McArdle pmcardle@cityofchino.org

Description: The Chino Experience Program offers individual case management and after school activities to at-risk junior high and high school students (and their families). Case management services include an assessment, development of short and long-term goals, and referrals to existing services. After school programming consists of academic enrichment, art and cooking classes, and recreation in non-competitive sports. The Chino Experience Center hosts most of the after school programming, which also includes the Teen Leadership Club, Peer Court, Junior Journalism program, and computer lab use.

County: San Diego
Implementing Agency: San Diego Teen Court, Inc.
Grant Amount:  $145,713
Contact:  Heather Dugdale hdugdale@cox.net

Description: The San Diego Teen Court is the primary diversion opportunity for first-time juvenile offenders. The program includes sentencing hearings; Sanction Review Panels; referrals and sentencing options that show offenders the impact of their actions; restorative justice education and training, both for participants and adult volunteers; and presentations to business and community based organizations.

County: San Francisco
Implementing Agency:  Boys & Girls Club Of San Francisco
Grant Amount:  $167,040
Contact:  Sonya Allen Smith ssmith@kidsclub.org

Description: The Delinquency Prevention project is designed to help youth in targeted communities stay in elementary and secondary school through the provision of educational support resources. The project also provides programs and services to help at-risk youth avoid alcohol and drug use and involvement in gangs or other negative behaviors.

 

County: San Francisco
Implementing Agency:  San Francisco Mayor's Office Of Criminal Justice
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  David Onek David.Onek@sfgov.org

Description: The Read Into Your Future project targets youth with emotional disabilities who are at-risk for out-of-home placement, involved in the juvenile justice system, and designated as chronic truants. The program uses individualized treatment plans to coordinate educational, juvenile justice, mental health, and community-based services for the youth and their families.

County:  San Luis Obispo
Implementing Agency:  San Luis Obispo County Office Of Education
Grant Amount: $200,000
Contact:  Jeanne Dukes jdukes@slocoe.org

Description: The Grizzly Challenge Charter School Transitions program is designed to increase the potential of at-risk students to achieve academic and personal success. A retention component meets the transitional challenges of students as they enter the school; a post residential planning component focuses on students' transition to positive pursuits upon completion of the semester, including preparation and plans for employment, continued schooling and/or military service.

 

County:  San Mateo
Implementing Agency:  San Mateo County Local Planning Unit (LPU)
Grant Amount:  $144,000
Contact:  Melissa Mortz smcjc@pacbell.net

Description: This program is one of two statewide Local Planning Units. Funds are given directly to the Criminal Justice Council of San Mateo, which selects programs to be funded through a competitive Request for Proposal process, provides administrative oversight of funded projects to ensure compliance with program requirements, and offers technical assistance as needed. The Council is currently funding the following three programs:

The Youth Achievers program targets at-risk, middle school youth residing in Redwood City. The goals of the program, which is operated by Friends for Youth, are to increase positive behaviors, reduce risk behaviors, and improve school attendance and academic performance. The program uses trained and screened adult mentors who spend a minimum of three hours a week with the youth for at least one year.

The Menlo Park Police Department Multi-Phase Correctional Intervention program targets first-time offenders and uses a case plan developed by the victim, juvenile offender and his/her family to address negative behaviors or attitudes. Based on the restorative justice model, the program involves victim-offender mediation, direct intervention, and counseling to make participants aware of the consequences of their negative for them, their families, their victims, and their community.

The Center for Youth's VOICES program, which targets Peninsula continuation high school students, provides practical, culturally relevant information and skill-building activities designed to decrease risk behaviors, strengthen respect for social justice, and enable youth to lead safe, law abiding lives.

County: Santa Cruz
Implementing Agency:  Watsonville Police Department
Grant Amount:  $200,000
Contact:  Linda Peters lpeters@ci.watsonville.ca.us

Description: The Accountable to Community Through Sanctions program seeks to address juvenile crime in the downtown area through a coordinated approach of services, graduated sanctions, and offender accountability. Although focusing services on chronic or habitual status offenders (e.g., truants), the program also addresses serious and violent behavior by youth in the target area.

County:  Yuba
Implementing Agency:  Wheatland Elementary School District
Grant Amount:  $199,000
Contact:  Cory O'Neal coneal@wheatland.k12.ca.us

Description: The Save Our Students program is a one-stop community resource center that focuses on strengthening youth and family defenses against substance abuse, crime, and violence. Key elements of the program include case management for 30 families, prevention education and staff development, peer to peer pro-social activities, a 24-hour crisis referral hotline, community calendar, website, message boards and a resource binder.