We’ll Catch You When You Fall

“Danny has always been a handful, but when he got into that bad crowd, he got himself in trouble with the law. He might have ended up getting locked up in detention, which would have made things worse. But instead, the Judge put him in the Grounded program. The staff helped us set limits, made sure Danny abided by his home detention contract, and spent time
talking to him about turning his life around. For the first time in years, my husband and I are hopeful that our son will turn his life around.”

In 2004, the agency’s programs, which serve court-involved youth, helped to redirect the lives of 174 adolescents. Unlike most programs working with this population, Robins’ Nest services incorporate a counseling component to help youth set realistic goals and develop a plan to meet them.

Grounded is a home-detention program which provides an alternative to locking up non-violent juvenile offenders in detention facilities. Youth are required to follow a strict home-detention contract which requires they remain at home except during those hours when they are to attend school. Grounded counselors monitor at all hours of the day to ensure the youth are in full compliance with the home-detention contract. In addition, they spend time in counseling sessions to help the youth make better choices which will lead to a more productive life.

Connect Two and Crisis Intervention Services provide in-home counseling services to youth identified by the court system as “at-risk.” In-home counselors work with parents to improve parenting skills, set age-appropriate limits, and create a structure which meet their child’s needs. During individual counseling sessions, youth are encouraged to talk about their hopes and dreams and set realistic goals to achieve them.

The Educational Advocate program helps youth who are struggling in school either academically or behaviorally by working with the family and school to develop an academic program which meets the youth’s individual needs.

Robins’ Nest programs for court-involved youth are designed to keep at-risk youth from entering the court system and youth with minor charges from becoming repeat offenders. By receiving early intervention with a strong counseling component, youth are making the changes necessary to redirect their lives, become accountable for their behavior, and make positive and productive choices for their future.