2004_0426_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Department Item Description: BACKGROUND Date: 4/26/04 Item No.:2.f Manager Approval: Agenda Section: � D.. D .%2 �_� Work Session Approval for JABG (Mentoring Program) to tmpiement a successfui youth mentorin9 program that offers the choice of positive reinforcement to the community's troubled youth The Roseville Police Department has long recognized the worth of a youth mentoring program in the Roseville community but department funds are tightly budgeted. And even though the program was considered a significant initiative, there were never enough funds to support a mentoring program. With funds available through JABG, the Roseville Police Department has been able to implement a successful youth mentoring program that offers the choice of positive reinforcement to the community's troubled youth. Police offiCer mentoring is used as an intervention/prevention strategy to keep youth out of juvenile court, and the Roseville Police DepartmenYs youth mentoring program has had a noticeable impact on the community's at-risk youth. The program has allowed opportunities for after school activities between at-risk juveniles and police officers who have volunteered time and effort to participate in the mentoring program. Shared activities have been engineered to build a positive relationship between law enforcement officials, other adults and the juveniles. Group and individual activities have been varied, informative, and successful. PROPOSED ACTION The youth mentoring program gives the youth a positive look at law enforcement by involving officers as youth mentors. Demonstrations and talks given by officers have and continue to be effective. The program has been well received and the Roseville Police Department continues to expand the program. A director, Kirsten Dawson, has been retained with JABG funds to administer the program. With monies available from this JABG allocation, the program will also be expanded to include more field trips, arrange for special speakers, and explore new forms of recreational and community projects that include the mentors and the juveniles. The department is excited about continuing the parent support group program this next year. A parent support group, "Surviving Difficult Parenting," has been coordinated in collaboration with Family Violence Network. A licensed psychologist facilitates the group, and the majority of funds in this purpose area are used to finance the psychologisYs services. This support group is facilitated by Dena Bohn who currently charges $100 a session. Each block of sessions is scheduled for ten weeks and Ms. Bohn schedules no less than three blocks of sessions annually. This program has been extremely successful. Therefore, $3,950 will be earmarked to pay Ms. Bohn's fees.