Juvenile Diversion Program InternAt — Project Youth OC

Shortstop is a juvenile crime diversion serving youth throughout Orange County. Shortstop was established in 1980 as an extension of the foundation's Legal Education for Youth Program. The project aims to challenge the community's youth through education regarding their legal rights and responsibilities and teach them to make positive choices that lead to positive consequences. 

Referrals come from the Juvenile Court, Probation Department, District Attorney, Public Defenders Office, police departments, schools, school attendance review boards, and parents seeking help for their children.

Clients are minor offenders. Generally, their offenses are petty theft, vandalism, burglary, minor assault and battery, possession of weapons, joyriding, possession of stolen goods, truancy, and other behavioral problems. Clients range from 10 to 18 years of age. At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany the minor during the Shortstop class. Both parents are encouraged to attend.

Project Youth OC also offers the STOP SHORT of Addiction program. This program is based on the SHORTSTOP model but includes extra focus specifically on drug and alcohol-related issues. STOP SHORT of Addiction consists of a graphic presentation by the Orange County Coroner, mandatory drug testing, and a third session that fosters therapeutic exercises designed to improve communication between youth and parents. The most common referrals to STOP SHORT of Addiction are for possession of marijuana/alcohol, public intoxication, possession of paraphernalia, etc.

SHORTSTOP/STOP SHORT of Addiction INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION

1. Sit in on intake assessments with families (one-on-one appointments with youth & parents) before enrollment in the program and eventually conduct intake assessments of her own if interested
2. Assist with program sessions (This includes registering families, checking mandatory assignments/meeting with youth who need extra help, and passing out packets, tests, and evaluations)
3. Observe legal instructors during evening program sessions to gain insight into the program and how it works
4. Connect with families in between program sessions to assess the situations at home/provide resources/help with program homework assignments
5. Co-facilitate youth groups during program sessions if interested
6. Make calls to past families to retrieve data (6-month follow-up surveys) where she will be able to gather the information and assess whether or not the program helped the family
7. Other duties depending on case by case basis

Training:

1. Mandated Reporter Training
2. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
3. Suicide Awareness Training
4. Drug and Alcohol Training
5. Juvenile Justice and Restorative Justice Training
6. Adolescent Development Training
7. Sexual Health and Access Training
8. Mental Health Training
9. General employer orientation training
10. Weekly scheduled one-on-one mentor meetings
11. Job shadowing

Learning Outcomes:

1. Assess the needs of parents and youth involved or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system.
2. Connect families to resources based on the needs identified during intake assessments.
3. Collect and analyze program data to track the program's efficacy.