San Carlos Police Department Youth and Family Services Unit

Policing our communities requires more than just criminal

apprehension and prosecution. To successfully build safe communities

requires the understanding of the root causes of crime and the

implementation of strategies to address those root causes. That is why

we created the Youth Family Services Unit in the San Carlos

Police Department.

Over 50% of the criminal activity in California is thought to be perpetrated by juveniles.

Unfortunately, the Juvenile Justice System offers few options and first time offenders are

often punished in ways that do little to help get them on the right track. Without life skills and an

understanding of the consequences of their behavior, young offenders are likely to re-offend.

Parents have a critical role in changing the behavior pattern of the young offender and they also

need support as they go about this important task.

Our Juvenile Criminal Diversion Program and Early Intervention Program commits at

risk youth and first time offenders to a 6-month contract that is designed to get them to accept

responsibility for their behavior and teach them important life skills for their future success. Our

programs help young offenders and at risk youth see that the consequences of their behavior can

be severe and that there are many positive alternatives for them. By successfully completing

the program, the young offender avoids second criminal prosecution and gets a second

chance. The parents also sign the contract and are helped out along the way by our staff. I

encourage you to read the information provided below for more details about our program.

Sincerely,

Greg Rothaus, Chief of Police

How these

programs work:

The Multi- Phase Criminal Intervention and Families In Transition early intervention programs will allow first-time criminal offenders and at risk youth, intervention that is needed to divert them from the traditional Juvenile Justice System and provided an opportunity to correct their mistakes. In both programs the parent and youth sign a 6-month contract, wherein they agree to follow the terms of the contract.

The contract for both programs will include:

• Individual and Family Counseling (No Cost to the family)
• Curfews
• Peer Support Groups
• Parenting Classes including child care
• Learning Essential Life Skills such as decision making, conflict & anger management and social skills
• Drug and Alcohol Treatment
• Victim/Offender mediation may also be involved to hold the juvenile directly accountable to the victim and the community
• Restitution to the victim
• Understanding the results of their criminal actions
• San Quentin State Prison Choices Program for boys
• Chochilla State Prison U-Turn Program for girls
• Improved attendance at school without tardiness or absences

Failure to complete all of the contract requirements

results in the young

offender being prosecuted

and/or terminated from the program.

For more information regarding these programs or your individual contract, contact the San Carlos Police Department Juvenile Detective Tom Marinos, the Counseling Director Marian Ellette, or Officer Ron Albertson at 650-802-4277.