Accountability and Responsibility
After School Program
The Accountability and Responsibility “A&R” After School Program is an exciting and innovative initiative serving at risk youth in Chautauqua County who have been identified as needing additional services to prevent out of home placement. The Accountability and Responsibility Program serves as an after school resource focusing on the development of life skills, the creation of individualized change plans, and provides a safe, fun, and supervised environment to help youth succeed.
The A & R Program objective is to maintain youth in their home setting as well as reduce recidivism rates of youth requiring Family Court intervention. Youth workers partner with participants to address their social, emotional, behavioral, cultural, spiritual and physical needs. The Program strives to create a climate of mutual respect, understanding, acceptance, safety, equality, diversity, personal accountability and responsibility.
Program Model
G.A. Family Services’ Accountability and Responsibility program utilizes The Forward Thinking Interactive Journaling® Series. This cognitive-behavioral series uses evidence based strategies to assist youth involved in the criminal justice system in making positive changes to their thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Applying the information presented in the interactive journals to their own lives helps participants achieve their goals of responsible living. The Forward Thinking Series provides high risk youth with an opportunity to identify and target risk/need areas.
The series will guide juvenile high risk populations in taking ownership of the choices and actions that lead to positive change. The Forward Thinking Interactive Journaling® Series was developed in collaboration with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and The Division of Juvenile Justice’s Interactive Journaling® Charter.
Youth Eligibility Requirements
- Ages 13 through 18
- Referred by Juvenile Probation Officer or Chautauqua County DSS Caseworker
- Ability to interact with peers in an appropriate manner
Core Focus Areas
- Community Engagement & Service
- Education Supports
- Time Management Skills
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Matching Career / Interests
- Employment Preparation & Related Skills
- Addressing Prejudice & Discrimination
- Communication & Listening Skills
- Conflict Management & Solution Building
