Choices is a course of 1 hour group sessions held twice a week over a 17 week period coordinated by the Special Projects Unit of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Weekly topics of discussion are designed to address and counteract negative influences in these student's lives such as drug and alcohol abuse, gang activity, family discord and truancy. Choices was designed to help young people develop a positive self-image, emphasizing success in their academic and home lives. The Choices Program is divided into five distinct sections although the actual number of components put into place in any local program is dependent on community involvement. Officers interact with students at each school site twice a week for hour-long sessions over a 17 week period.
Students practice concepts and strategies they have discussed in class under more trying conditions.
By placing students in more stressful but highly controlled situations, they have the opportunity to practice the lessons they have learned without fear of falling into old behaviors. A mentor-style tutoring program is used to bring volunteers from the local community together with Choices students two hours a week. During this time, mentors act not only as academic tutors but also as positive role models for these students. The relationships developed between students and mentors, may last well beyond the course of the program and may serve the students though their post-high school years. Parents are brought into the program to work with their children on increasing effective family communication.