Juvenile Program Summaries

Reality Works

This interactive simulation program utilizes technology to educate and create lifelike simulations for youth on topics such as fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal drug exposure, shaken baby syndrome, and pregnancy prevention. For example, through the use of interactive lifelike dolls, youth are able to see the physical effects of prenatal alcohol and drug use on babies, as well as the impact of shaken baby syndrome. Further, Reality Works seeks to serve as a deterrent for teenage pregnancy by providing simulations replicating the third trimester of pregnancy and a newborn baby’s care needs. The Court utilizes this program to educate youth about the impact of their behaviors and choices and, as a result, encourage healthier and more responsible lifestyles.

Pace Program

The Juvenile Court, in partnership with Heidelberg University, offers academic tutoring for youth. The goals of the PACE Program include:

• Assist students in the completion of schoolwork as directed by the classroom teacher
• Strengthen students’ literacy skills
• Provide students with positive insights into school, education, and learning

PACE coaches strive to establish a mentorship connection with the youth. Success in the Program is measured by completed assignments, attendance and cooperation, and the observations of the participant youth and coaches. The Court utilizes the PACE program to assist youth in catching up and keeping up with their schoolwork while at the same time introducing a positive role model that encourages education and life-long learning.

4-H CARTEENS

This program, with the help of the Ohio State University Extension Office, is a teen facilitated traffic safety program for first time juvenile traffic offenders. The goals of the CARTEENS program are:

• Reduce the number of repeat juvenile traffic offenders
• Decrease the number of teen traffic offenders
• ncrease teen awareness of traffic/vehicular safety

The Juvenile Court is able to fully subsidize the Court ordered youth’s participation in this program. For more information about this program, visit www.ohio4h.org/4-h-youth/teens/carteens.

3^rd Millennium Classroom

This program offers various online courses with evidence-based strategies for behavior change intervention. Available classes include:

1. Respect & Resolve
   This course offers guidance for youth on how to create safe and healthy relationships. The class focuses on the following areas:
   1. Self-Esteem
   2. Emotional Health
   3. Communication Skills
   4. Conflict Resolution Skills
   5. Relationship Abuse Awareness
   6. Strategies for Recognizing Coercive Tactics
2. Marijuana 101
   This course focuses on the negative impact of marijuana on health and mental wellness. It also educates participants on state laws governing marijuana use. In addition, the course discusses the consequences of marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence of marijuana.
3. Nicotine 101
   This course educates youth about nicotine and its effects so that youth can make better and more informed decisions about using it.
4. Under the Influence JV
   This course educates youth about alcohol and drugs and the way they can impact health and academics. This class also discusses the consequences of drug and alcohol use, including but not limited to the legal and sexual consequences. The class also provides discussion about street drugs, prescription drugs, nicotine, and anabolic steroids.
5. Shoplifting
   This course provides skills to help youth stop shoplifting and instead create a plan for the future. The goal of the program is to move participants from ambivalence to awareness to a behavioral change.
6. Conflict-Wise
   This course educates youth on family conflict, intimate partner violence, anger management, sexual assault, and stalking, along with guidance about how to protect oneself. It also teaches youth about bystander awareness and the importance of healthy relationships.
7. Parent-Wise
   This course is designed to educate parents about alcohol and drugs. It also serves to educate parents on how to set effective boundaries with teens and encourage discussion and family openness.

Girls Circle

Girls Circle is a support group for girls ages 9-18 which is designed to improve self-esteem, help girls connect with one another, decrease self-doubt, and encourage and celebrate self-expression through conversation and creative activity. Girls Circle takes place weekly and consists of a group of 6-10 girls of similar age who meet with a trained facilitator for a set period of time. During this time, participants share their stories and concerns while listening to and supporting each other in a non-judgmental and supportive setting. The groups often focus their discussions on hot topics such as being a girl, trust, friendships, body image, goals, competition, and decision making. The girls share experiences in hopes of helping someone else in the group. The Court utilizes Girls Circle to promote self-confidence and help encourage girls to make good decisions both now and in the future.

Strengthening Families

This program is a 7-week evidence-based program for youth ages 10 through 14, and their families. The program is designed to build stronger families and, in the process, reduce juvenile substance abuse and other delinquent behaviors. In addition, this program curriculum has been proven to:

• Delay the onset of adolescent substance abuse
• Lower levels of aggression in youth
• Increase the resistance to peer pressure in youth
• Reduce youth conduct problems in school
• Improve parenting skills by encouraging parents to build a positive relationship with their child, set appropriate limits, and follow through on consequences, all the while exhibiting love and support for their child

Project HOPE

This program, which stands for “Horses Opening People’s Eyes,” is a type of therapy which utilizes horses to help youth, especially those dealing with grief and trauma issues, develop in areas such as accountability, responsibility, self-confidence, problem solving, and self-control. The program’s equine-centered setting is intended to help increase a youth’s motivation to make positive change. In particular, this program has shown evidence based-efficacy on youth with depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and dissociative disorders.
The program is facilitated by a licensed therapist, although the program does not involve clinical counseling. Instead, a group of approximately 10 youth participate in a group session during which they focus on improvement in the following areas:

• Self Confidence
• Self-Efficacy
• Self-Concept
• Trust
• Self-Acceptance
• Social Skills
• Assertiveness
• Boundaries

Project HOPE also creates short-term positive change in the following areas:

• Increased Satisfaction in Interpersonal Relationships
• Greater Personal Awareness and Insight
• Increased Problem-Solving Skills
• Personal Empowerment

The Court utilizes Project HOPE to provide a unique learning and self-improvement experience for our youth on probation and in diversion which provides them with not only tools that they need to live happier more successful lives, but also with positive life experiences.