Streetwise - Youth & Family's First Offender Program

Streetwise has been offered for over 15 years long before it was legislatively mandated. Streetwise is a consequence for misbehavior and diverts the offender from further involvement with the juvenile justice system. Both the offender and his or her parents are required to attend training which covers problem solving, consequences, diversity, conflict resolution and communication. Referrals come from juvenile court services, schools, parents and the court. 
Youth & Family’s classes are offered in Lincoln County and in Pottawatomie County in 2-hour sessions 2 nights a week over a four-week period. The curriculum was adapted to include the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), a widely researched program used to teach communication and relationship skills.

Through Community Development,

we collaborate with other agencies, organizations and coalitions to raise standards for services to children and youth in Pottawatomie County and Lincoln.

Community Education 

educates our community through presentations on a variety of community and youth-related issues, such as, gangs in Shawnee, human trafficking, cultural diversity, bullying. 

Individual, Group and Family Counseling

Families wrestling with behavioral or emotional issues at home, at school, or with friends may feel alone with no one to turn to. In today’s world, family life may seem overwhelming; growing up is hard work. Youth & Family can help them work to resolve situations

• Skills for life
• Managing anger
• Effects of divorce
• Bullying
• Self-esteem 
• Dropout prevention
• Truancy and chronic tardiness
• Peer pressure

Annual Outcome Numbers 

104 Families enrolled in Parenting Classes 

43% Completed Course 

Municipal Community Service 

Youth & Family oversees community service for municipal offenders ticketed by the cities of Shawnee, McLoud and Tecumseh for several municipal offenses. such as petit larceny, curfew, possession and use of tobacco products and truancy. 

When a child receives a ticket for a municipal offense, he or she and the parent must meet with the City Attorney. The City Attorney can fine the juvenile, assign community service (or a combination of these) or dismiss the charges. 

The offender meets with Youth & Family staff to be assigned community service. Community service may consist of writing a letter of apology to a store from which the juvenile shoplifted; writing a report on the effects of tobacco. Helping out at Simon Peter Storehouse, the local food pantry. Raking leaves or helping to cleanup a park. 

When the juvenile completes the community service, Youth & Family staff report to the City Attorney.

Community Accountability Board (CAB)

CAB provides School Districts and the District Court with an option for parents charged with a misdemeanor for not having their child in school, and the same for School Districts and Municipal Courts for juveniles ticketed for truancy. 

The Board is comprised of citizen volunteers and professionals.

The CAB:

1. Discusses the activities that brought the parent/juvenile to the CAB 
2. Develop a list of resources for the parent/juvenile to access to get the child back into school;
3. Provide information to all parties on the process; and
4. Reports back to the Court via the District Attorney’s or Municipal Attorney’s office.

In cases where the parents are the client, they are placed on a Deferred Prosecution by the District Attorney’s office for the misdemeanor of not having their child in school.

Second Chance 

is a program that works with delinquent teens in Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center. It began in December 2010 and was created through the cooperation of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Youth Services of Tulsa County and Y&F. Second Chance is a program to meet the needs of juvenile offenders. The goals of the program are to increase the juvenile's chance of successful integration into his or her community and to become a productive member of society.

Community At-Risk Services

• Mentoring
• Independent living skills
• Educational/Vocational assessments and tutors
• Sexual abuse
• Intensive one on one counseling
• Family counseling
• Drug and Alcohol assessment
• Educational assistance

Don't Give Up

For over 30 years, Don't Give Up! or DGU is a  summer day camp is designed to benefit some of Pottawatomie County’s most deserving 10-14 year old kids combines personal and character development for 8 weeks of fun.  Each child's success is defined against his or her performance. 

DGU kids make music videos, visit museums, learn about other cultures. The camp uses a points-based system for behavior. Children must keep points up through good behavior and care of the environment. Points lead to attending Friday Field Trips, such as the Sam Noble Museum, Jasmine Moran Children's Museum and a cold dip in Travertine Creek in the Chickasaw National Park.

Supervised Visitation & Access Exchange

A time for parents to visit children under structured supervised settings or to exchange children for regular access when emotions are unsure.

CASA  - Court Appointed Special Advocates

The Youth & Family  CASA program has existed since 1985. It recruits, screens and trains volunteers for assignment by the court to speak up for an abused or neglected child. The volunteers complete 30 hours of training and courtroom observation. The Associate District Judge swears them in as the eyes and ears of the court. Y&F staff, the Associate District Judge, DHS Child Welfare Supervisors and other community professionals lead training sessions. 

Currently, there are 18 CASA volunteers serving 34 children. Those Court Appointed Special Advocates donate over 2,000 hours of service each year. 

CASA began in 1977, in Seattle, when Judge David Soulup felt concern over making decisions about the future of children when he did not have sufficient information. He came up with the concept of using trained volunteers who could research a case thoroughly and provide the judge with an informed recommendation as to what was in the best interest of the child. This program needs concerned citizens to volunteer their time to be an advocate to a child through the court system. 

Children of Divorce

Divorce is a time of crisis. A time when everything is uncertain. A parent's greatest concerns is how the divorce will affect his or her children. Children of Divorce is a seminar for divorcing parents with minor children. Parents learn how divorce affects their children the major adjustment tasks faced by children and how to make positive changes in their own lives to help children adjust. Parents receive information to help their children deal with this painful time in their life. The program is delivered in ways that fit the challenging lives of divorcing families. The 4-hour session explores the grief process experienced by divorcing persons and children from divorcing families. 

Volunteerism

Volunteerism is alive and well at Youth & Family. Our Board of Directors are volunteers. The Board meets monthly and members are always available for consultation and support.

Volunteers are recruited, screened, and trained to help with kids staying in Hope House. Volunteers take children on outings, to local events and movies, have holiday parties or just have fun with Hope House residents. Volunteers receive training prior to service and must attend weekly in-service training meetings to stay active. 

Roughly 35 Oklahoma Baptist University students serve as a core of dedicated Hope House volunteers.