Programs Categories: Youth

The program is directed at getting youth to understand the impact they have on their community, family, and self when committing crimes. With the overall violence in the City of Wilmington, this program hits home for many youth because it allows them to hear real life stories from individuals that have lived through violent acts or committed violent acts themselves. The youth in this program are able to open up without being judged and ask questions about how to change their life. This program is funded through support from the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families – Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services.

This program is a comprehensive and collaborative gun intervention and prevention program that works in partnership with the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families – Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. The program consists of educational classes at Ferris School for individuals sentenced through gun court. Classes use the Phoenix New Freedom 100 Curriculum which teaches skills and strategies for coping with chaotic environments and reducing violent behavior. The program also provides after-care support groups in the community focusing on community service projects for program participants.

DCJ’s School Offense Diversion Program (SoDP) staff work with students referred by the Attorney General’s Office as a result of an arrest for an in-school incident. This program is an alternative to the juvenile court process and punitive disciplinary approaches – a space for mediation with students to talk through and understand the nature of the incident and to validate their experience. Students learn to skillfully resolve problems and sustain healthy relationships so that what may have been their first experience with the legal system is their last. The School Offense Diversion Program is funded through the State of Delaware and governed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The School Offense Diversion Program (SoDP) in Schools pilot launched with Extended School Year at Colonial School District. This pilot program is taking our almost 20-year success with SoDP for students who receive criminal charges and moving it into two middle schools in Colonial School District as an alternative to suspensions. When students have disruptive behavior, they can be referred to our Restorative Services Specialists for a restorative conference with all parties involved to identify needs and create a collective accountability plan aimed at addressing the root causes of the behavior. Included are wrap-around services for the student’s family if needed.