The results we have seen from community programs like mentoring, after-school programs, conflict resolution training, youth leadership, job training, employment, and the arts are testaments to this fact. Community collaboratives can function as a critical link to the work of the juvenile and criminal justice systems by providing aftercare programs for young people after they leave the criminal justice system. These collaboratives are needed to develop the broad-based community support required for programs to be effective. Thorough assessment mechanisms also are needed, Bilchik said. They should occur at the first sign of trouble in order to determine the youth's potential risk to the community and the most effective means of addressing the problems.
Young people give plenty of warning signs when they start heading into risky behaviors.
On average, the criminal justice system usually knows about these youths for at least seven years before they become serious offenders and youths. However, young people typically are involved in active delinquency for about two years before their first referral for intervention of any kind. In addition to prevention and assessment, the court system needs to move quickly and appropriately when a young person is in trouble. Graduated sanctions and placement options are needed for young offenders. Drug courts, for example, use a wide range of options, such as community service, restitution, diversion, mental health and substance abuse treatment, home detention, electronic monitoring and group homes, and incarceration.