MADISON – Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Rick Raemisch announced today that 10 Wisconsin counties have been awarded $287,970 for early intervention programs designed to improve the chances of success among youths who have entered or are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

“While holding juvenile offenders accountable, Early Intervention Programs help at-risk youth make real changes in their lives,” Secretary Raemisch said. “Funding for these innovative programs helps increase public safety and reduce juvenile recidivism by providing opportunities for success in the long run.”

Early Intervention Programs involve partnerships between county agencies, schools, local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the courts and other stakeholders. Grants are awarded to eligible counties to support or expand existing early intervention programs and pilots. These initiatives encompass a variety of areas, including substance abuse treatment, Teen Court systems, life-skills and career-exploration training and Summer Youth Services.

Funding for the current grant allocations is provided through the state's 2006 Youth Aid Program of $88.9 million, which was included in the 2005-07 budget signed by Governor Jim Doyle.

“Governor Doyle is committed to investing in Wisconsin’s youth to help break the intergenerational cycle of crime and incarceration,” Secretary Raemisch said. “As a partner in the Governor’s KidsFirst Agenda, we are investing in strategies to help make positive changes in the lives of at-risk youth.”

Green County: Green County will receive $18,849 to increase Intensive Supervision Services, such as electronic monitoring, treatment, and family involvement. These services are targeted toward supervising juvenile offenders closely in the community and further reducing the use of out‑of-home placements.

Jackson County: Jackson County will receive $18,849 to support a Program Coordinator to develop community service work sites, partner with the county’s Teen Court coordinator, and maintain its electronic monitoring program.

Jefferson County: Jefferson County will receive $30,849 to further strengthen the county’s Teen Court. In addition, these funds will help the county to implement a School-Based Teen Court program in partnership with the school districts in the county.

Manitowoc County: Manitowoc County will receive $30,849 for its Point Program. The primary goal of this program is to expose at-risk youth to experiences focused on building self-esteem, social skills, and positive ties within the community.

Menominee County: Menominee County will receive $18,849 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 $82,329 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, supervision, and other identified individualized services.

Price County: Price County will receive $18,849 to fund the New Directions program. The program is aimed at teen offenders who exhibit high risk behavior, in an attempt to bring about cognitive change that ends self-defeating actions. The program emphasizes AODA prevention/intervention for first‑time offenders from the county’s Juvenile Intake system, Teen Court, or Juvenile Forfeiture Court. The funds will also cover bi‑monthly, five-session groups targeting behaviors, thinking patterns, and choices regarding alcohol or other drug use for youths and their parents.

Rusk County: Rusk County will receive $18,849 to support existing community service opportunities, cognitive intervention programming and home detention. These current programs focus on holding youth accountable in the community while helping them develop competency skills.

Shawano County: Shawano County will receive $30,849 to continue a curriculum for first-time offenders that emphasizes non-violent problem solving skills, anger management, and resistance to bullying. The county works closely with local schools, law enforcement, and the Menominee and Stockbridge-Munsee tribes on the curriculum.

Washburn County: Washburn County will receive $18,849 to support in‑school or in‑home intensive mental health and AODA services to youth whose families face barriers for receiving appropriate services of this nature. The funds also will support Summer Youth Services which include education/enrichment services, and one-to-one parent support and parent-youth activities for at-risk youths aged 10-14.

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