DOC Secretary Raemisch Announces $123,914 in Funds to Support Youth Intervention Programming

MADISON – Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Rick Raemisch announced today that 14 Wisconsin counties have been awarded $123,914 for early intervention programs designed to improve the chances for success among youths who have entered or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

“At the Department of Corrections, we work to keep Wisconsin safe. We carry out this mission in part through collaborative efforts to hold youths accountable and offer them opportunities to make changes in their lives,” Secretary Raemisch said. “Through the Early Intervention Program, we are partnering with a variety of agencies to support programs that can reduce juvenile recidivism, which results in fewer new crimes and fewer new victims.”

Early Intervention Program grants are awarded to eligible counties to support or expand existing programs and pilots that involve partnerships between county agencies, schools, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the courts and other interested parties. The programs address a variety of areas, such as substance abuse treatment, mentoring services and parental advocacy. Funding for the grants is provided through carryover dollars from the state’s 2007 Youth Aid Program of $93.5 million, which was included in the 2007-09 budget signed by Governor Jim Doyle.

Ashland County: Ashland County will receive $5,800 that will go towards a drug court/Brief Interventions and Referrals to Treatment (BIRT) coordinator, as well as a juvenile court case manager. These two positions assist in providing services to first-time youth offenders who have been identified as having drug and alcohol issues.

Columbia County: Columbia County will receive $5,800 to increase the mentor services currently contracted with Northwoods, Inc. The mentor services provided have allowed youth to remain in their homes and communities safely and maintain school attendance.

Eau Claire County: Eau Claire County will receive $5,800 to assist in purchasing the services of a Wisconsin Family Advocate. The Advocate will support the parents of youth in the early phases of juvenile justice involvement.

Florence County: Florence County will receive $5,800 to develop and implement a volunteer in probation (VIP) program. This program will be used for youth referred to juvenile court intake if the juvenile is alleged to have committed an act that would constitute a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

Jackson County: Jackson County will receive $5,800 to continue efforts in the Early Intervention Program which works to decrease the number of youth entering the formal Juvenile Justice system as a result of habitual truancy and other high-risk behaviors. This program is possible with collaboration from the Black River Falls and Alma Center/Merrillan School Districts, the Teen Court Program, District Attorney, Corporation Council and Circuit Court Judge.

Jefferson County: Jefferson County will receive $5,800 to expand and strengthen the Intensive Supervision Program. This program works towards placement prevention, improving educational opportunities, improving school programming and holding the youth accountable.

La Crosse County: La Crosse County will receive $15,000 to implement the new Truancy Mediation Program. This program will focus on middle school students and provide opportunity to enhance discussion between student, parents and school personnel about the real reason for the student’s absence from school.

Menominee County: Menominee County will receive $5,800 to fund alcohol or other drug abuse (AODA) assessments and outpatient services for juvenile offenders identified as high risk for more serious delinquency.

Milwaukee County: Milwaukee County will receive $30,114 to help support existing services targeted toward youths aged 10-16 with first-time referrals for delinquent behavior. The needs of each youth are matched with community-based service providers for community education, community service, tracking and apology letter writing, and other identified individualized services.

Monroe County: Monroe County will receive $5,800 to support the Intensive Supervision Program as sub-contracted through Monroe County Sheltercare, Inc. This program provides structure and immediate consequences to adjudicated delinquent youth.

Outagamie County: Outagamie County will receive $15,000 to fund a part-time facilitator for the Clean Break and Washington Aggression Interruption Training (WAIT) early intervention projects. Clean Break provides juvenile offenders with a positive alternative to formal disposition. WAIT is a weekly cognitive behavioral intervention designed to assist youth with aggression, reduce anti-social behaviors and offer an alternative of pro-social skills.

Portage County: Portage County will receive $5,800 to support its Monitor Program. This program helps reduce the involvement in the Juvenile Justice System, as well as reduces out-of-home placements.

Rusk County: Rusk County will receive $5,800 to support existing community service opportunities, cognitive intervention programming and home detention. These current programs focus on holding youths accountable in the community while helping them develop competency skills.

Shawano County: Shawano County will receive $5,800 to continue efforts working with youth being referred to Juvenile Court who have been bullied or who are showing aggression towards others. These youth will work through a curriculum that emphasizes non-violent problem solving skills, anger management, and resistance to bullying.