First Time Offender
Program
Since its inception in 1995 by the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services, the First Time Offenders Program brought to you by People Inc. has received high praise for its part in the successful rehabilitation of the youth in Sequoyah, Adair, and Cherokee counties, with an outstanding percentage of juveniles avoiding repeat offenses after completion of the program. The programs curriculum is designed to emphasize and develop prevention and diversionary skills for the youth in our community that have been showing sign of juvenile delinquency behaviors.
The First Offenders Program allows juveniles who have been identified by law enforcement personnel, court officials, and other community resources as having committed acts that, while not serious enough to move forward through the standard juvenile delinquency behaviors. The First Time Offender Program also allows youth who might otherwise face incarceration or persecution the opportunity to benefit from a psychoeducational rehabilitative program designed specifically for juveniles.
To access the First Time Offenders Program an individual must:
- Be under the age of eighteen
- Have committed a first-time misdemeanor (or non-violent felony)
- Be referred by the Juvenile Services Unit or municipal court, school or other community resource
With the First Time Offenders Program, juveniles along with their parents' will attend a total of 12 hours of group sessions in order to educate, nurture and enhance the positive behaviors and skill sets needed in order to make the life changing improvements. The program curriculum is designed to educate as well as improve awareness on core subjects such as:
- Preventative skills
- Resolving conflicts
- Self-awareness
- Coping skills
- Managing relationships
- Family systems
- Communication
- Emotional regulation
- Smart choices
- Values and cultural awareness
- Substance abuse
- The importance of making positive life choices
- Juvenile justice system awareness
At People Inc. we value the importance of participant privacy and confidentiality, and vow to always hold it in the highest regard for our clients. Our partnership with the First Time Offenders Program is governed by federal law and regulations to protect the confidentiality of the participant's record. In addition to our strict policies for respecting individual's privacy to insure their private matters are always confidential, is the benefit of forming trust among the participants involved.
We know how important it is to the programs' success that all participants and their family members feel confident and secure in knowing that they are able to discuss all matters and speak freely without hesitation or fear of confidentiality breach. As reported by the Sequoyah County Times, an Oklahoma Association of Youth Services audit of People Inc. states that: People Inc. shows a high degree of dedication to the community it serves. An active Board of Directors, a dedicated energetic Executive Director, qualified and energetic staff, and community involvement and support are ongoing agency strengths. The agency staff does a good job of documenting the services they provide to area youth in all programs. In addition, the functions of board governance are very well documented. Congratulations on the excellent services provided by your agency to the children and youth of our state.
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