Youth between the ages of 11 and 18 and at risk of becoming chronic offenders or being incarcerated, might find themselves in one of the two program components of Habilitation Services Project 2000 or TIPS.

Project 2000 focuses on ramifications and consequences of participation in violent crimes or activities and gang involvement. Through the process youth are presented with ways to avoid violence, learn anger management and conflict resolution. Youth referred to Project 2000 have been directed there due to their involvement in crimes of violence, using or having firearms, or being intimidating to others.

In very real and dramatic presentations, the participants listen to victims and family members of victims as they relate their child's murder and how they were victims of violence. Youth hear first hand how families are impacted by violence. A trauma team from Riverside Hospital presents a vivid slide presentation to illustrate the effects of gunshot wounds on the human body.

The "whys" and "hows" of gang attraction are addressed and alternatives to gang involvement are also presented. Youth learn why gang activity and participation is addictive and what it takes to break the addiction.

During 1998, 117 youth successfully completed this program. Youth learn to open up and trust during group sessions. Only 10 youth re-offended; two were permanently committed to the Department of Youth Services. There were no youth who successfully completed the program that were bound over to be tried as adults in Franklin County. This is the fourth consecutive year that Habilitation Services has been able to report this encouraging statistic.

Habilitation Services
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