Juvenile Graduated Sanctions
Initiated in May, 2007, the Juvenile Graduated Sanctions Program (JGSP) is Volunteers for Youth’s newest youth-serving program. It offers juvenile first offenders and those demonstrating signs of delinquent behavior an opportunity to avoid the overcrowded juvenile court system and a chance to get back on track while being closely monitored and supported.
A committee of community volunteers meets periodically to initiate and review juvenile cases referred to JGSP by the Rogers County Office of Juvenile Affairs or by local public schools. The committee members visit with the young person and family members to determine what has brought them to the program. A course of action is then determined by the committee and presented to the youth and parent(s) in the form of a service plan with expected completion dates. Once the plan is completed, the youth is graduated from the program. Typical sanctions include curfews, letters of apology, community service, and counseling.