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A small subset of our community’s most vulnerable youth is getting into big trouble at a young age. Undiagnosed mental health issues, an unstable home life, truancy or unsupervised time are just some of the factors that can contribute to leading youth astray.
Some people believe that punitive discipline is the only way to redirect misguided or rebellious youth from negative behavior. But is the juvenile justice system the appropriate punishment for a 15-year-old?
The evidence from a study funded by the National Institutes of Health suggests that restrictive, physical or exclusionary punishments not only fail to deter future perceived misbehavior, but these methods may actually harm youth.
Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) believes in moving away from punitive discipline to restorative, community-based interventions that focus on building relationships. CPS and YAP are redefining how community partnerships can change the course of life for youth.
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“YAP Is a national nonprofit that advocates for youth who have entered the juvenile justice system, are living in group homes and/or are intellectually disabled,” said Rickey Hill, Jr., Program Director for Monroe County Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. “We deliver evidence-based services where these kids live, in their homes and communities.”
When youth come into the program, they are typically on diversion. Monroe County’s Juvenile Enhanced Diversion Stabilization (JEDS) program launched in 2023 to combat public safety issues stemming from a rash of car thefts perpetrated by area youth. YAP works together with public safety to help curb community violence.
“For example, a 15-year-old may end up in court for stealing a car and putting other civilians in danger with his recklessness,” said Hill. “In court, he will have the option to enroll in the diversion program and have a probation officer assigned to him. If there is CPS involvement (neglect, truancy, etc.), a caseworker will also be assigned to his case.”
Nationally, YAP offers four different programs: Child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and gang intervention violence. Monroe County YAP delivers the first two programs locally. In addition to diversion/probation, referrals also come from CPS, PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) or FACT (Family Access and Connection Team).
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Punitive Discipline vs. Restorative Interventions
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“There is a misconception in our community that youth are always getting into trouble,” Hill said. “The reality is that, oftentimes, they just need additional resources or a mentor.”
In the past, a youth with behavioral issues (e.g., fighting in school leading to suspension or expulsion) was more likely to engage a caseworker or police officer than a mentor. Now, CPS is turning to community-based solutions like YAP to reshape how a school district handles discipline, support, and equity.
“In the community,” explained Hill, “we push into schools to advocate for kids and provide additional resources, like extra help, tutoring, staying after with teachers, or checking to see if the child’s IEP is being served correctly.”
He explained that with overcrowded classrooms, the needs of some kids get overlooked. But there are many outside factors that contribute to why a child may need additional services or a mentor.
When CPS refers a youth to the program, YAP works with the participant and family to implement a service plan that is based on their needs, hopes and interests.
“We create new trainings to teach parents potential alternatives for tough situations and go over different strategies and coping mechanisms,” said Hill. “After 10 weeks, they graduate from the program.”
“YAP also fosters job skills,” continued Hill, “supported by various businesses in the community. It’s a free service for businesses, as the youth are paid through our insurance.”
Hill said that 80% of kids who go through program have no further system development while they’re in the program. Their immersion in the community helps youth to begin building positive relationships—and effectively keeps them from going to jail.
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The foundation of YAP’s intervention programs with youth and families is the Advocate model. YAP Advocates are community members who often live in the same neighborhoods and share common experiences with youth. Many have had involvement with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems, so they are able to relate to the challenges youth and their families are facing.
“We hire local advocates and mobile behavioral health professionals to help keep those monies in the communities using local services,” said Hill.
YAP currently has seven full-time and 10 part-time staff members. Most advocates are part-time employees, as they work other jobs in the community, and are contracted to spend 10 hours a week with each child. Based on the service plan, this time can be spent tutoring, going to the store, watching a movie, etc. In addition to time spent with the participant, YAP provides wraparound service for families to help with groceries, rent, doctor’s appointments, transportation, etc.
“We are working toward avoiding further system placement,” said Hill, “to get the youth back home with the family. Or if they’re at home, to eliminate the behavioral issues there or in the community (fighting, lack of respect for adults)—any juvenile issues that might lead to a referral.”
Other local entities donate free admittance or memberships (Wiki Farms, YMCA, R centers) to YAP participants in a goodwill effort to further strengthen community relationships. Access to positive relationships, spaces, opportunities, and services empowers individuals and families.
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We’re All in This Together
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“As mandated reporters, we’re all advocating for our youth,” said Hill. “When a child is experiencing mental health issues or demonstrating ungovernable behaviors at home, school, or in the community at large, we need to engage our critical thinking abilities when assessing the situation. Oftentimes, what is lacking is additional support or resources.”
YAP’s work is built on a foundation of research demonstrating that youth do better throughout life when they have support where they live, work, learn and play. Hill encourages mandated reporters to use observation, empathy, sensitivity, and cultural competence to differentiate between neglect and a lack of resources.
“We need to move from harm to healing by fostering positive relationships,” Hill said. “The goal for outcomes in our program is to keep youth and their families from further system involvement. A bonus is for them to become productive citizens in the community.”
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