Youth Development Programming

Juveniles referred to Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services for a status or delinquent offense may be enrolled in our Youth Development Program by the assigned Case Manager or Probation Officer. If you have any questions regarding this programming, please call 775-325-7913.

Anger Management Program
The Anger Management Program serves two related goals. The first being to make the feeling of anger in chronically aggressive juveniles a less frequent occurrence. The second focus of this training is to provide juveniles with the skills to learn self-control when anger is displayed. The program gives juveniles tools to identify triggers, monitor emotional cues, and develop calming situations. The program is available to juveniles 13-18 years of age and up to 12 hours of instruction.
Early Anger Management
The purpose of the Early Anger Management Program is a program similar to The Anger Management Program but geared towards juveniles 10-13 years of age. The program gives guidance to make the feeling of anger in chronically aggressive juveniles a less frequent occurrence and it also provides such juveniles with the skills to learn self-control when anger is displayed. The program will help identify triggers, monitor emotional cues and develop calming situations. This program is available to juveniles 10-13 years of age with a total of 2-4 hours of instruction. 
Changing Directions Program 
The Changing Directions Program is geared towards juveniles who are displaying high risk behaviors. Juveniles will be taught the tools to change their behaviors by gaining an advanced knowledge of positive choices, positive peer choices and a clear understanding of consequences. Changing Directions is available to juveniles 13-18 years of age with a total of 6-8 hours of instruction.
Victim Awareness Program 
The Victim Awareness Program is designed to educate juveniles of the impact of crimes on individuals and the community as a whole. The program is split into three segments, (1) Property Crime, (2) Drugs and Society, and (3) Violent Crime. The goal of this program is for the juveniles to gain an understanding of empathy and how criminal acts affect victims. The program format will include applicable videos and lectures. The program is available to juveniles 13-18 years of age with a total of 6-8 hours of instruction.
Growth Program
The GROWTH Program teaches female juveniles ages 14-18  social skills to help with their relationship with others, so they can avoid problem situations and improve their overall quality of life. The program is split into different individual segments, such as building self-esteem, healthy relationships, and body image. The program has a total of 6-8 hours of instruction.
Early Intervention Program 
The Early Intervention Program is intended to divert juveniles from future involvement in the juvenile justice system by addressing their initial involvement in the system.  This program works with both the juvenile offender and their families, with open discussion regarding criminal charges, victims, and consequences. Insight on the impact of crime on individuals, as well as the community as a whole. The program is presented in four segments titled: (1) Court Systems, (2) Criminal Behavior, (3) Levels of Crime, and (4) Anger Issues. This format will include both applicable videos and lectures. The program is available to juveniles 10-18 years of age with a total of 4 hours of instruction. This program is available in English and Spanish. Parent/Guardian participation is mandatory.
Youth Employment Program 
The Youth Employment Program was established to give a better understanding of the work world and provide skills to assist them in gaining meaningful employment in the community. This program is available to juveniles ages 14-18, with a priority given to juveniles that owe monetary restitution. The program combines classwork and work experience component consisting of basic landscaping, painting, and irrigation assembly. Program length varies; please discuss with assigned Probation Officer or Case Manager.
Substance Abuse Prevention 
This program aims to reduce the recidivism rates of juveniles charged with possession of marijuana and alcohol related offenses by enhancing motivation and using a variety of self-management skills. Juveniles are also provided with information on the harmful effects of marijuana and alcohol, using styles from Cognitive Behavior Training (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Training (MET) to help cope, and develop refusal skills towards these substances. This program is available to juveniles 13-18 years of age with a total of 6 hours of instruction.
D.R.I.V.E Driving Responsibly Includes Vehicle Education Program (Traffic Safety Class) 
The DRIVE program is designed specifically for inexperienced drivers. The purpose of this program is to instill the cognition and responsibility of driving a motor vehicle, changing the teen driver's perceptions. This program is available to juveniles 16-18 years of age with a total of 3 hours of instruction. Enrollment in this program requires a referral from a Traffic Master.
U-DRIVE Program 
The U-DRIVE Program is geared towards juveniles needing to complete the written test to obtain their Nevada Instruction Permit/Driver's License. This course curriculum was taken from the Nevada Driver's Handbook to teach knowledge of traffic laws, signs, signals and defensive driving techniques. After completing this program, the juvenile will have covered the main points from the Nevada Driver's Handbook, which will assist when taking the written test. This program is available to juveniles 14-18 years of age with a total of 6-8 hours of instruction. 
Evening Reporting Program (ERP) 
The Evening Reporting Program, in partnership iwth The Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, is a case management tool used as an alternative to detention, without a court order. ERP was established to provide an informal sanction for juveniles on probation instead of detaining them in secure detention and for juveniles awaiting a plea or dispositional hearing. The benefits of the program are that the juvenile is being supervised during high at-risk hours, while being able to remain in school and at home. This program is available to juveniles 13-18 years of age.
Multisystemic Therapy (MST)
Multisystemic Therapy is an evidenced-based program that provides in-home and community-based therapeutic services to youth and their families. Therapists work directly with youth, families, schools, and community providers to identify reasons leading to delinquent behavior and work to promote systematic behavioral changes in a manner that aims to eliminate delinquent behavior.