StepUpJuvenile Graduated Sanctions
"I never thought I would have ever been glad to get in trouble but the StepUp program was great and helped me get on track. I will always remember how much this program helped me!" This was the comment from a recent graduate of our Juvenile Graduated Sanctions Program called StepUp. Every time a young person graduates the program we ask the participant and a parent to complete an evaluation. Another young person commented, "They told me life would be better if I did what is right." Thank you to each of you who have made a contribution to Volunteers for Youth this year. This is just one example of the impact your gift can make!
Initiated in May, 2007, the Juvenile Graduated Sanctions Program (StepUp) 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 StepUp 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.