BCS Launches DAT-Y Initiative!
We’re going into our third week of the DAT-Y (Desk
Appearance Ticket-Youth) Program here at BCS and we couldn’t be more excited
about the success we’ve seen so far! The DAT-Y Program, modeled after the
successful programing at BJI (Brooklyn Justice Initiatives), is an early
diversion initiative specifically designed for adolescents' ages 16 and 17
years old issued a desk appearance ticket for non-violent offenses. This
program allows compliant participants to receive a same-day dismissal and
seal for successful completion of DAT-Y programming!
Cases will be screened to ensure the appropriate DAT-Y
eligibility criteria which includes: current non-violent arrest (including
marijuana possession, theft of services, petit larceny), cases not involving
orders of protection, cases with no current open misdemeanors or felonies, and
cases with no warrant history or prior conviction.
Elizabeth Swan, Willie Bernardez, Justin Briggs, and Omar
Camacho have all been vital BCS additions to our ADP program when it comes to
facilitating and ensuring the success of DAT-Y. Elizabeth and Willie have been
tasked with screening each case to determine further eligibility, explaining
the initiative and compliance criteria, and identifying additional special
needs. All cases accepted into DAT-Y programming are then adjourned for a 4pm second call. In the interim, all participants join in on the 3-hour
(plus lunch) session with BCS staff. The 1st session includes
components of community mapping (led by Omar and myself) and the 2nd
session focuses on cognitive behavior and motivation for youth using illegal
substances (led by Justin and myself). Within our first two weeks, we’ve had 25
program graduates from the DAT-Y Program. We look forward to bringing the
success that BJI initiated in Brooklyn to the Bronx, and beyond!
-
Serena Powery, Youth Justice Social Worker
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