The Evening Reporting Center (ERC) program was established as a community-based alternative to detention for juveniles, who would otherwise be detained in a Juvenile Detention Facility. The staff supervises and counsels between 15 males/females, five days per week from 3:30 – 8:30 p.m.

TARGET POPULATION

Minors from Marion County Family Court can be ordered by the Court to participate for up to 90 days in this program in lieu of detainment in a Juvenile Detention Facility in the following instances:

  • Minors charged in a violation of probation matter and awaiting a hearing or Disposition.
  • Minors apprehended on a warrant and presented to the Court for Disposition of the warrant.
  • As part of the Court’s Disposition.

 PROGRAM GOALS

  • Provide highly structured and well-supervised group activities during high-risk time periods for minors.
  • Ensure Court appearances and reduce the likelihood of re-arrest while allowing the minor to continue attending school and remain at home.

 PROGRAM DESIGN

The Evening Reporting Center operates from 3:30-8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is expected that most participants will be involved for up to 90 days. The ERC program keeps youth involved in positive experiences while ensuring they are occupied during the times they are most likely to recidivate. While attending the program, youth are provided dinner and engage in educational activities, recreational programming and life development workshops. Minors are transported to and from the Center by program staff. This ensures that every youth is accounted for and arrives home by a specific time. On-site security provisions are made by each provider.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

To ensure quality programming at the ERC, monthly focus groups are held with youth to hear their perspective on how programming and services can be improved at the site. Additionally, the ERC supervisor completes a monthly evaluation for the site, detailing activities and any problems that may have arisen, i.e. attendance and behavior of youth. Quarterly meetings with the Family Resource Administrator, Chief Probation Officer, the Court’s Program Administrator, and the ERC Staff are convened to have ongoing dialogue to improve ERC operations. Ongoing training occurs for all ERC staff to ensure the quality of programming meets expectations. Data is  maintained on daily attendance, referrals, successful completion rates, gender and ethnicity, violations for non-attendance and/or behavior, new arrests and number of cases to validate the outcomes of the initiative.

EVENING REPORTING CENTER DAILY SCHEDULE

Interaction between the community-based organizations and the ERC Staff ensure minors’ needs are being met while providing support from the Court. Group activities cover the following topics and are supplemented by special events and other outings such as field trips to educational, cultural and recreation venues:

  • Crime and delinquency
  • Conflict resolution
  • Alcoholism and drug abuse
  • Health and hygiene education
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • AIDS education and prevention
  • Parenting skills
  • Family problems
  • Vandalism, violence and other problem behaviors
  • Employment
  • Life skills development (job readiness, how to get and keep a job)
  • Learning problems, school failure and dropout.