"Increase the bonds (connectedness)"

The JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROJECT helps to establish bonds between family members, between school and student, and between families and social service agencies, by establishing bridges for trust-building communication, service referrals and child-centered interactions. J.D.P.P. promotes a sense of belonging to the School and the Community by hiring people from the neighborhood as staff. We include parent volunteers in every Extended Day activity and decision. The JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROJECT turns school sites into neighborhood community centers, hosting adult-learning, family services, community events, and weekly activities.

"Teach life skills"

The J.D.P.P. Extended Pay Staff teach students how to make friends, PeaceBuliders, Conflict Resolution and Refusal skills. The Sunrise House, Boys and Girls Club, Girls Scouts, Cub Scouts and other Community Mentor and Education Programs, teach students about goal setting and how to make good decisions.

"Set and consistently enforce expectations"

All of the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Project service providers motivate the parents to be in control of their own children by encouraging them to set clear family rules and to focus on pro-active parenting skills. Parenting classes provided by the Salinas Adult school ("Parents In Control") and the Family Resource Center ("Family Wellness") are provided in English and Spanish at the parent's request and by referral from the Probation Department and Family and Childrens Services (formally CPS). Classes are offered at each school site in the evening hours, and free childcare is always provided.

"Provide all children with caring and support"

All of the J.D.P.P. service providers and Extended Day Staff are trained to listen, encourage, and provide consistent unconditional love to the target students and their families. These employees were chosen for their positions based on their abilities to promote and demonstrate genuine caring and support. Service Providers and Staff promote participation in the project by acknowledging student/family fortitude and by helping each person to create his/her own personal vision for the future.

"Provide all children with high expectations for success"

The J.D.P.P Extended Day Programs have role-model mentors -College and High School students from the neighborhood- interacting with the students on a regular basis. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of "survivor's pride" and to dream about the future. Staff members select as "special buddies" individual students who are in need of one-on-one attention. The J.D.P. Project is based upon the assumption that every child can be resilient, regardless of the severity of the challenges in their lives. Resident Adults become outstanding human beings.

"Provide all children with opportunities for meaningful participation and contribution"

All of the activities in the Extended Day Program are focused on developing self-efficacy. The ratio of child to adult averages at one adult for each 10 children. Older students (5th and 6th graders) are recruited to be group leaders and advisors to the staff and their younger peers. Field trips to the local Elderly Board and Care Homes are organized so that the students offer caring and support to the residents. Student-organized school beautification events, neighborhood graffiti clean-ups, and fund-raisers are typical monthly events. All of the J.D.P P. students are given the opportunity to choose which activities, services, teams, or groups they wish to participate in. Parents and family members self-select services that they feel would meet their needs. Emphasis is placed on choice and pro-social activities that make our community a safer and happier place to live.