1. Community Outreach Prevention Strategies

   CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS PROGRAM -- The program is a recognized diversion system dedicated to changing behaviors, changing lives and turning young people towards healthy lifestyles. The desired outcome of the COPS program is to help youth develop resistance strategies and appropriate behaviors to reduce the likelihood that they will begin using or experimenting with drugs or alcohol or engage in bullying or criminal behavior. Preventing a first-time offender from further encounters with the justice system not only prevents the onset of adult criminal careers and reduces the burden of crime on its victims and on society, it saves young lives from being wasted and identifies possible at-risk youth.

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2. Independence Youth Court Peer Diversion

   INDEPENDENCE YOUTH COURT PROGRAM -- The high rates of juveniles involved in criminal activities in Jackson County create an increased risk factor associated with violent behaviors and alcohol and drug use for teens. The Independence Youth Court (IYC) exists to hold juvenile offenders accountable for delinquent behaviors; to provide positive peer-led restorative justice, which promotes leadership and positive youth behavior; to increase juvenile offenders knowledge and enhance refusal skills to avoid criminal behavior, including drug use and violent activities; and to reduce repeated criminal behavior and involvement in the juvenile criminal justice system.

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