ORANGE COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION DBA PROJECT YOUTH OCBF

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Exhibit A 4. SCOPE OF WORK: 12 months (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023) (3 page max) 1. Services Provided and Tasks to be Accomplished —Our proposed violence prevention programs, SHORTSTOP and STOP SHORT of Addiction, will provide at -risk youth and their families in Santa Ana with an evidence -based alternative to detention and out -patient substance abuse treatment. These crisis -support services are time -limited and culturally proficient. SHORTSTOP and STOP SHORT of Addiction also works with youth and families to recover from the negative impacts of COVID-19. SHORTSTOP is one of the oldest and most successful juvenile diversion programs in Orange County. For over 40 years, it has set youth offenders back on the right path by giving them the chance to learn from their mistakes and move forward without serving jail time or having a criminal record. It's a wake-up call that has proven to be extremely successful. In fact, studies show that not only are alternatives to detention cost-effective, but they are much more successful in creating long-term behavioral changes than incarceration. SHORTSTOP has been professionally evaluated and identified as a science -based model for preventing delinquent activity/substance abuse among at -risk youth (Journal of Drug Education, 2005). It is not a scared straight program. While the program begins by giving youth a realistic view of the criminal justice system, the focus then shifts to helping youth set goals, explore their future, build healthy family communications, and develop effective peer -refusal skills. Services include: —Clinical Intake (2 hours): The clinical intake assessment gathers valuable information about the youth's emotional stability, at -risk behaviors, drug history, impact of COVID-19, family dynamics and school functioning. Diversion Sessions (two, 3-hour sessions): Due to the pandemic, program sessions are held in the Project Youth OCBF offices (not the courthouses), where youth and parents receive a virtual tour of the courthouse and holding cell. They also hear from paroled convicts and participate in a trial simulation. Youth and parents then receive intensive legal education (including parents' legal rights and responsibilities) and participate in numerous family -strengthening and communication exercises. Sessions promote personal responsibility, self-control, peer -refusal skills, parental monitoring, and school bonding. —Mandatory Assignments: A critical part of SHORTSTOP is what happens at home. Assignments include: reading decision -making and legal education materials, writing assignments (for example, how much their city pays to scrub out graffiti), goal -setting exercises, and interviewing a working professional to encourage exploration of future career paths. —Exit Plan and Case Management/Referral Services: At the end of the program, each youth and their family are provided with an individualized exit plan. As needed, clients are referred to our Intensive Case Management for up to 12 weeks, where they receive linkages to resources and longer -term supportive services. After a comprehensive assessment with the youth, a case manager develops an individualized service plan with the youth that identifies priorities, desired outcomes, and the strategies and resources to be used in attaining the outcomes. The case manager also works with youth to develop problem solving skills, participating in prosocial activities, anger management, job seeking skills, drug/alcohol refusal skills (when applicable), and communication skills (youth and parent/family), as well as parenting skills with the parent/caregiver.