Program areas at Youth Service Bureau of St Tammany
Court appointed special advocates (casa). Volunteers are trained volunteers who help judges find safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children in state custody. Casa volunteers focus on one child or sibling group at a time and represent the best interest of the child. Volunteer advocates offer judges critical information to ensure that each child's rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care. During the fiscal year 2022-2023, 220 children were served by 126 casa volunteers through Youth Service Bureau, and 17 new casa volunteers were trained and sworn-in.
Families in need of services (fins) is a delinquency prevention program that focuses on helping Youth and families to remedy self-destructive behavior through education and family counseling. There were 247 clients assisted through fins during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Fins case managers encourage positive parental involvement and improves skills to counter ungovernable behavior.
Crossroads is a juvenile delinquency intervention program that offers non-violent offenders the opportunity to choose a new direction while holding them accountable for their actions. Case managers leverage a balanced and restorative justice model to encourage responsibility while maintaining a focus on victims and families. There were 485 clients assisted during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Case managers oversee community Service requirements and victim restitution where appropriate. Clients are supported through group classes that teach internet safety, law related education, anger management, and drivers' improvement. Clients are further supported through parental training and referrals for counseling when appropriate.
Options is a clinical substance abuse treatment program that provides family focused licensed outpatient treatment for adolescents who are experiencing problems with alcohol and or drugs. Assessment and treatment was provided for 358 clients during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Truancy assessment and Service center (tasc) is a truancy reduction program that provides resources and support to children and their families for children from the grades of kindergarten through 5th grade. Truancy intervention was provided for 615 students during fiscal year 2022-2023.