Broadly speaking, the requirements involve a community service project, direct involvement to remedy the damage, if applicable, caused the juvenile, and research on a subject relevant to the youth's offense. In about half of the cases, the JHBs meet again with the juvenile for follow-up monitoring. The youth's failure to meet the requirements with a good-faith effort results in an immediate referral to Family Court . Restitution is important in both exacting a specific result from the youth and in allowing the victim some psychological compensation. Restitution can involve something as simple as a personal apology to the victim, either orally or in writing, or may require something more substantive, such as an essay of personal responsibility written to a younger sibling as a means of beginning to restore lost trust.
Education is another way to help.
Some offenders attend classes on the correction of substance abuse, shoplifting, or aggressive driving. Rehabilitation through community service covers many activities, including graffiti removal, animal care at local animal shelter, litter patrol, service at senior shelters and community centers, garden work at municipal cemeteries, and janitorial work at schools and municipal buildings. Feedback from staff at the work site ensures that the youth is sticking to the requirement. If appropriate, the youth's school is involved. The rehabilitation may be viewed as a supplement, or an alternative, to any standard school discipline.