Seminars are included to provide guidance and instruction in relevant areas for participating youth. Youth and families referred to Peer Court are screened for other risk factors and offered other services and resources. Since it began in 1995, more than 300 youth have been through Peer Court with 208 cases tried and 138 have completed their sentences. 184 local teenagers have served as trained volunteers. Of the more than 80 cases completing their sentence in 1995, none of the participants have become repeat offenders.
Truants are another group identified as needing early intervention.
These youth are at increased risk for engaging in delinquent acts and dropping out of school. The Island Youth Advisory Board supported and the Galveston City Council passed a daytime curfew for youth during the school year. It is not enough to just pick up youth and return them to home or school. This program provides identification and follow-up for truants. Under this program, youth picked up by the police for violation of the curfew will not be arrested.