Youth Services Programs
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Please contact our office at 773-674-4711 to schedule one of our free programs or discuss how our staff can assist your prevention efforts.
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE FIRST OFFENDERS
An educational alternative to prosecution for youth age 17 and younger who are arrested for possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Participants attend two sessions totaling five hours. Parents are required to attend the second session. This program is currently operating for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Municipal Court Districts.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
This 4-session program, for students in 5th – 6th grades, teaches basic skills of peaceful conflict resolution including anger management, problem-solving and communication skills.
INTERNET SAFETY FOR KIDS
This program discusses the importance of following safety rules when using the Internet. Discussion centers on positive uses of the Internet as well as the problems young people can easily encounter. This program is best suited for students in 5th – 8th grade.
LOVES ME…LOVES ME NOT
This prevention program for junior high and high school students is designed to define healthy relationships and promote youth awareness about teen dating violence. The purpose of the program is to: define abuse, alert students to the possible warning signs of dating violence and provide help and referrals if there is a problem.
MIND YOUR KIDS’ BUSINESS
This program was developed to help increase parents’ and other adults’ knowledge of Internet safety information and guidelines. The one-hour session includes information on protecting children while using the Internet; how young people are using the Internet; social networking sites; electronic bullying; and how to report and block illegal or questionable Internet activity.
PEER MEDIATION
A two-day training in which junior high or high school students learn how to mediate conflict between their peers in a fair and peaceful manner. The training also includes information about implementing a successful peer mediation program.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Respecting Everyone So People Embrace Cultural Togetherness)
This program facilitates open dialogue with students about diversity, race and culture helping them to understand and reject discrimination, victimization, bigotry and hate. The target audience is 4th – 8th grade students and the program can be facilitated in 1 or 2 sessions.
SAFETY TOWN
Safety Town is an interactive and educational program on traffic safety for youth ages 5-8. In this program children enter a miniature city in pedal cars enabling them to get a hands-on learning experience. Safety Town is available during the months of May through August to park districts, schools, churches, block parties, police districts, and other community groups
S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violent Encounters)
S.A.V.E. is a two-session bullying prevention and conflict resolution program for students in grades 1 – 4. In this program children learn to identify bullying behavior, understand why some children bully and different ways to deal with bullies in a non-violent manner.
S.M.A.R.T. (Sheriff’s Motivational and Responsibility Training)
S.M.A.R.T. is a two part program for students in 8th grade about responsible decision making and the direct consequences of decisions involving criminal behavior. The first part of the program is a one-hour classroom presentation taught by uniformed officers which includes discussion of gang and criminal activity, as well as decision-making and consequences. The second part is a tour of the Cook County Department of Corrections which will include a panel discussion with detainees within the jail. The program is not designed to frighten or disturb students but rather to empower them with positive decision making strategies.
STOP THE BULLYING
A two-session violence prevention program that teaches students in grades 5-8 how to identify and understand the problem of bullying and harassment. Students learn the cause of, effects of, and non-violent solutions to bullying through age appropriate activities and discussions.
THINK TWICE: LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME
This program is an interactive presentation targeted for grades 7-12 to educate students about the consequences of committing crime as well as personal and legal ramifications. The program focuses on activities young people are more likely to be involved in such as fighting, drugs, drinking & driving, theft, and gun violence.