Scholastic Desertion, A Second Opportunity

 A lot of teenagers loose interest in their studies and even start to commit misdemeanors and felonies. To solve these problems, Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) counts with the Juvenile Court & Community Schools (JCCS).

Rehabilitation as an Objective
When a young man is underage and commits a misdemeanor a judge will determine the seriousness of the crime and based on this will send the minor to a juvenile hall, probation camp, group home, or with his own family but under a special supervision.

The JCCS manages 21 accredited schools in total. These schools assist more than 4,500 students everyday. The vast majority are high school students who have a low Grade Point Average (GPA). The students who attend the JCCS will obtain an intensive education in order to graduate from high school and receive their diploma (GED).
Every year from 500 to 700 students who were about to drop out of their classes obtain their high school diploma thanks to the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Prevention Alarm
The risk of a young men forming part of a gang is not determined by his ethnic origin. However, more than half of the adolescents in juvenile halls are Latinos, followed by African-Americans. This situation is due to the high violence index found in their neighborhoods which does not give them a civic role model to follow.
Family plays a crucial role in these cases. Students whose parents are involved in their education are less likely to end up as a gang member.
Existing non-profit institutions in the community try to help to decrease the number of drop outs and juvenile crimes. The following are two centers that provide information in case a minor is in contact with gangs or has a risk to commit a crime:
• Gang Risk Intervention Program (GRIP). It is part of LACOE. Its objective is to reduce the possibility of young men entering gangs and establish relationships between adolescents and community organizations. Their programs can be found in every school where students with a high drop out risk could take advantage of the activities they have to offer such as sports, cultural, and workshops, etc… (562)922-6391.
• Gang Alternative Program. Helps thousands of students and parents every year. Combine services of gang prevention, cleaning of neighborhoods, classes and advice for parents who attend the corresponding programs.

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