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Dane County Department of Human Services |
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Neighborhood Intervention Program (N.I.P.)
Description | General
Eligibility | How to Apply
Description
The Dane County Neighborhood Intervention Program is comprised of the Early Intervention Services Unit and the Community Supervision Services Unit. Early Intervention Services Unit The primary goal of N.I.P. is to provide opportunities that enrich the social and educational experiences of youth in Dane County. Our mission is to intervene in the cycles of risk that are part of the natural stages of adolescent development. The program has developed a philosophical framework and curriculum called "Right Track". The "Right Track" concept is a proven youth competency and asset building methodology. The goal of these services is to allow youth to become involved in a range of constructive recreational, social, and self-enhancement activities that will promote their own self-esteem and sense of involvement in their community. Community Supervision Services CSU - Is a delinquency reduction and re-directive program based on the principles of the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model. Using these principles the CSU intervenes on the cycle of failure by assisting youth to "get on the right track." Neighborhood Intervention Program - Community Supervision Unit consists of 5 different programs. Each of these programs are designed to assist the youth in developing pro-social and educational competency, holding the youth accountable to their victims and providing services which promote community protection.
Services are geared to Dane County youth and their families. Specific eligibility criteria are listed for each service.
For prevention and early intervention services, see the contact listed in the service description below or contact the Neighborhood Intervention Program at (608) 288-2400. For community supervision services, referrals must be received from the assigned Dane County Department of Human Services Social Worker or, in some instances, the school (RePlay).
Community Supervision Services Intensive Supervision Services - is a program for delinquent youths ages 13-17 who have had significant interaction with law enforcement agencies and the Courts and who demand intensive daily supervision if they are to remain in the community. Youth are monitored with electronic monitoring devices. Curfew checks are conducted. The program offers redirective discussion groups and other positive activities. Most youth no longer need services after 3-6 months. RePlay (Redirective Pro-Social Learning Alternative for Youth) - is a pro-social, re-directive school alternative. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Human Services and the Madison Metropolitan School District. The target population is boys in 7th and 8th grades who have experienced failure in traditional educational settings owing to chronic disruption, truancy, fighting, or other inappropriate behaviors. RePlay serves up to 12 students for (normally) one semester. Participants must also be at risk for institutional placement. Right Track Plus - Right Track Plus is designed to redirect adjudicated youth from further escalation and to reduce their chances for further court involvement by providing intensive case management services, supervision, study tables, and life choice discussion groups. Right Track Second Chance - Right Track Second Chance (RTSC) serves males between the ages of 13-17 who have been adjudicated delinquent. The goals of RTSC are to teach youth to be accountable for their actions, teach self-esteem, and to teach youth to think before they act. It is hoped that youth completing the program will have more value for themselves, their families, their education, and the community. It is further expected that graduates of RTSC will have learned to take ownership for the behaviors which got them involved in the juvenile court system and to refrain from those behaviors that are harmful to themselves and/or others. Weekend Report Center - is a program for adjudicated youth 10-17 years of age who have violated some portion of their court order. It can be used as an alternative to detention. Prevention and Early Intervention Services B.I.G. (Behavioral Intervention Group) - is a service offered by DCDHS through the Neighborhood Intervention Program. It is designed for male and female middle and high school age students throughout Dane County who are struggling with anger management issues. Presently the groups meet on Wednesday evenings for five weeks, at the Neighborhood Intervention Program office which is located at 501 East Badger Road in Madison, WI. Parents are required to attend the first group with their child. Referrals come primarily from DCDHS social workers, school district staff members, or from municipal court as an alternative to filing formal delinquency charges. It is expected that youth appropriate for BIG do not have severe mental health problems, nor should they be in need of more lengthy and intensive behavioral interventions for their anger issues. Other services such as Alternatives To Aggression should be considered in these situations. There is no cost for this service and transportation assistance is available. For more information contact Steve Varsos at (608) 261-5076 or (608) 288-2437. Gang Squad - The Gang Squad is a program for youth that are identified as gang affiliated or are in danger of being influenced by peer pressure to join. Youth are able to participate in discussion groups. Facilitators implement workshops, seminars, training and active street level outreach.
Madison Spartans Youth Basketball - is the award winning boys and girls basketball program. The Madison Spartan Basketball program is known for outstanding teams that possess speed; athleticism; character; and aggressive, in-your-face, man to man defense. The Madison Spartans Basketball program was founded in 1988. The objective for the development of the basketball program was to give at risk, low-income youth exposure and opportunities to organized tournament basketball play. The program hopes to teach life choice skills, honor, and integrity through the use of basketball. In keeping with this philosophy, Spartan coaches keep in mind that they are teachers and role models first, basketball coaches second. RT-ADDS (Right Track - Assessment, Deflection, Deferment and Stabilization) - is a re-directive early intervention service offered by DCDHS through the Neighborhood Intervention Program. The target population is male youth ages 10-16 who either have committed minor delinquent offenses or are at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system. These youth typically come from neighborhoods where there is a disproportionate number of families with limited access to social and recreational activities for youth, employment options, and treatment resources. Referrals to this program come from DCDHS social workers, neighborhood police officers, school officials, and family members. The 14-week program cycle includes a weekly re-directive group, school monitoring, curfew checks and random drug screening when indicated, plus a variety of other recreational and educational opportunities. There is no cost for this service and transportation assistance is available. For additional information or to make a referral, contact Steve Varsos at (608) 261-5076. STARS - (Striving Towards Academic Responsibility and Success) provides educational support services targeted to African-American males ages 10-14 who are not yet involved in the juvenile justice system who need cultural, academic, and social assistance. The primary purpose is to provide educational support to students having difficulties in core subjects such as math, science, and language arts. Additionally, staff provide counseling in behavioral and emotional management and communications skills. STARS seeks to position participants for success at their home schools in the following academic semester. Follow-up is provided for at least one academic year.
There is no cost for the majority of the prevention and early intervention services provided by the Neighborhood Intervention Program. Costs may be charged based on the ability to pay for other delinquency services. There is a $25.00/per month fee for all youth placed under Human Services supervision. This fee is waived if the juvenile is placed outside the parental home. In these instances, however, a monthly fee is charged for the placement. Parents are sent information by Dane County fiscal representatives which help determine the amount of the fee.
Stephen Blue, Delinquency Services Manager
Andre Johnson
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Copyright © 2006 Dane County Department of Human Services
