Youth Violence Intervention & Prevention Program
YVIP Slide Show
The Youth Violence Intervention & Prevention Program provides services to youth between the ages of 12-17 who live in Queens. Participants are referred to the program for a wide range of issues. These issues range from a parent noticing a negative shift in their child’s peer group to relatively minor criminal transgressions. The majority of referrals come from our PINS Diversion unit and from the Queens District Attorney’s 2 nd Chance program. Youth are also referred by neighboring NYPD precincts as well as local schools. Walk-in referrals are welcome.
The YVIP program has three primary goals:
- Develop and improve their critical thinking, decision making and conflict resolution skills
- Enhance their communication skills
- Develop and begin working toward personal short and long term goals
These objectives are accomplished through a strong and dynamic youth development team. Using a strengths-based platform, the team is responsible for facilitating the workshops as well as providing support to the participants and their families through a case management model.
Program participants attend weekly workshops that help youth to develop a stronger sense of self that correlates with their stated goals. The group setting also provides a forum for the participants to develop and learn from one another. The workshops have been developed as stand alone units and are highly interactive. This format allows us to have a “rolling admission” into the program.
The series of 12 workshops focus on anger and emotional management, values, coping with peer pressure, law and consequences, perceptions among others. The workshops combined with an individualized case management approach helps in the development of social competence and greater self-awareness.
Case Management
Young people and their families participating in the project will be assigned a trained and experienced Case Manager. A service plan and agreed upon goals will result from an in-depth assessment and case planning sessions that foster improved decision-making. The case management process will facilitate greater coordination of all interventions available to the youth and their family. Case conferences will be held with the CMS case coordinator and appropriate specialists to help determine if additional services are warranted; i.e. direct mental health services, employment assistance, skills training/workshops, mentoring relationships and mediation. This heightened intervention will be measured by a series of milestones for the participants to achieve. These milestones will address the customer’s short and long-term goals.
Parents of youth attending the program are an integral part of the process. On-going communication and a strong support system a home is vital to the success of the youth. Parent workshops are held to provide a common language in regards to conflict resolution and the art of re-framing issues in dispute. The case manager will be able to track the status of the parent/teen relationship throughout the family’s participation in program services.
The assessment will also uncover family members or others affected by the deviant behavior.
They will be included in the assessment and be incorporated into the ultimate plans. They may receive referrals, supportive casework or inclusion in other program resources.
Program requirements
All potential participants are required to participate in an intake assessment along with their parent/guardian. The intake assessment serves as the tool to determine whether the goals of the program are compatible with the goals and needs of the youth.
There are no fees associated with this program.
The Youth Violence Intervention and Prevention Programis funded by the
NYC Department of Youth & Community Developmen
