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The Youth Services Department works in conjunction with communities, schools and churches to conduct programs to prevent juvenile delinquency and promote positive youth development. A wide variety of prevention programs are available through this department:
Educational Programs:
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG 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 and other drugs. Participants attend 2 group sessions at 2 1/2 hours each for a total of 5 hours of instruction. Parents are required to attend the second session. This program is currently operating for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Court Districts.
PHARMACOLOGY — A single presentation for junior high school students designed to compliment an already existing substance abuse education program. This interactive program teaches basic information related to gateway drugs as well as other categories of drugs and their harmful effects.
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.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION — This 5 session program, for students in 4th-6th grade, teaches basic skills relating to peaceful conflict resolution including anger management, program solving, and communication skills.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING — A two-day training designed to help students enhance their already existing leadership qualities including: leadership styles, interpersonal skills and team building.
IRON OAKS OUTDOOR TEAMS CHALLENGE COURSE — Trained facilitators guide youth and/or adult participants through a series of obstacles with each being presented as a problem solving exercise. Each group uses problem solving skills in order to promote communication, cooperation, leadership skills and team building. Participating groups must be active in some larger prevention program at school or in the community such as: peer mediation, Operation Snowball/flake, youth leadership, etc.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION — This curriculum is designed to carefully acquaint Kindergarten through 3rd grade children with information about ownership of one's body, types of touches, secrets and surprises, refusal skills, and learning how to communicate a problem to a trusted adult. This program consists of two 45 minute sessions. There is also a one session program to educate teachers, parents and concerned professionals about the problem of child sexual abuse and the need for early detection.
LOVES ME ... LOVES ME NOT — This 2 session prevention program is designed to promote teen and adult awareness as to the problem of dating abuse. The purpose of the program is to: define abuse, alert students to the possible warning signs of dating violence and present skills necessary to avoid future problems.
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 the basic parts and general terminology of the Internet, suggestions for a safety plan, and how to report illegal or questionable Internet activity. Online brochure available
Special Projects for Youth Participation/Recognition:
SHERIFF’S YOUTH SERVICE MEDAL OF HONOR — This program was established to recognize Cook County youth who volunteered a minimum of 100 hours of service during the previous year. The Youth Services Department is responsible for the coordination of this annual event.
ILLINOIS SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Cook county Sheriff's Youth Services Department administers an annual scholarship program by the Illinois Sheriff's Association for students residing in Cook County. The scholarships are awarded to students who will be attending a college or a university in Illinois during the next academic year. If you are interested, applications will be available to download in January 2008 from the ISA website www.ilsheriff.org or at this website.
PACT CAMP — The Police and Children Together Camp is designed to put youth and their police partners together in a cooperative setting that will strengthen bonds between youth and police, and encourage positive teamwork among all of the participants. YSD staff plan and organize the camps and act as counselors to the youth/police teams. Staff from YSD can also provide technical assistance to communities to develop their own PACT Camp.
Resources:
COUNTY LINE NEWSLETTER — An informational newsletter distributed three times per year to a mailing list of approximately 2100. Included in this list are: school principals/personnel, Cook County officials, Police Departments, Village Major/Presidents, Township Supervisors, youth serving agencies, U.S. Departments, Village Mayors/Presidents, Township Supervisors, youth serving agencies, U.S. and State Senators and Representatives, Libraries, etc.
GETTING IT ALL TOGETHER RESOURCE DIRECTORY — This directory of youth serving agencies within Cook County is published and distributed every two years. Directories are sent to individuals and groups from the above mailing list.
LIBRARY SERVICES — The Youth Services Department houses an extensive library of prevention related materials. The public is welcome to use any of these resources during normal business hours. Films and audiovisual materials are available for loan.
Please contact our office at 773-869-4711 or e-mail us to schedule a program, obtain resources, or to discuss how our staff can assist your substance abuse or violence prevention efforts.
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