Community Juvenile Collaboration Program

In an effort to enhance the coordination and utilization of programs already in place for “at risk” youth, the Community Juvenile Collaboration program was created.  This panel is designed to increase communication among police, the probation office, school leaders, county prosecutors, child welfare workers, and the county’s substance abuse and mental health agency as they try to help Effingham County youth navigate the challenges of growing up and stave off sinister forces.  This increase in communication is designed to help these agencies identify causes of disruptive behavior that has been brought to the attention of school officials or law enforcement authorities and to make a determination as to what services and actions are necessary to redirect the focus of the child and eliminate the disruptive behavior.   This initiative is designed to increase access and enhance delivery of community based services while decreasing non-compliance with school rules, family service plans and/or court orders.  This initiative will target those youth identified by the ECESP as in need of intensified services.