Awareness Programs
Open to participants who are in high school or under the age of 18. To register, call a YSB office near you.
A referral is not needed to participate, but you must pre-register to attend. To see upcoming programs dates, check out our Classes & Events page. Our services are professional, affordable, and confidential. We also offer a sliding fee scale, as needed.
DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS PROGRAM (DDAP)
2-3 sessions, parent/guardian attends, $60
Designed to help young drivers become educated on how to prevent risky behaviors and attitudes while driving or prior to being a licensed driver. The course was developed partially due to the new MN Hands Free Laws. Together with staff, families help determine the number of sessions (2-3) needed and the focus. Sessions can cover media use, social interactions, personal/family driving discussions, consequences, positive decision making and goal setting.
BULLYING AWARENESS PROGRAM (BAP)
1 session, parent/guardian attends, $60
Increase your understanding of what bullying is, why it happens and the impact it can have on others. Class emphasis is on providing practical information to help decrease bullying behavior and support parents of youth engaged in bullying behaviors.
CHEMICAL AWARENESS PROGRAM (CAP)
1 session, parent/guardian attends, $60
Learn about a variety of chemicals and the consequences of use. Class goals include helping youth make better decisions regarding chemical use and providing parents with reliable information and suggestions for managing use.
CREATIVE RESPONSES TO CONFLICT (CRC)
3 sessions, parent/guardian attends, $60
Learn how to identify building anger and how to de-escalate it before poor decisions are made. Class goals include the ability to identify anger triggers and increase problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
* Note: This program does not take place in a class setting *
RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA USE (RSMU)
2-5 sessions, parent/guardian attends, $60
Designed to help youth who are struggling to use social media in a healthy way. RSMU was developed at the suggestion of YSB’s referring parties (local law enforcement, school resource officers, and parents) and ranges from 2-5 sessions that fit the individual needs of each youth. Depending on the situation – sessions cover media use, social interactions, healthy relationships, consequences, positive decision making, building self-confidence, and setting goals.
THEFT AWARENESS PROGRAM (TAP)
1 session, parent/guardian attends, $60
Discuss the consequences of shoplifting and theft. Class emphasis is on decision-making and its connection to values.
Frequently Asked Questions
YSB is a separate non-profit organization—focused on helping youth turn challenging situations into positive outcomes. While we partner with Washington County corrections and police departments, we also work with schools, parents, youth and community members.
We can work around people’s schedules. When you meet with the Diversion Specialists, be sure to let them know that your personal schedules make it hard to attend certain classes that your youth is supposed to partake in. From there we provide alternative programs we can offer their family to make sure they are successful in our program.
If you decide not to participate in our Diversion Program, the referral is sent back to the referring party and it is then usually sent to juvenile court. From that point the youth and the family have to do whatever the judge says. Also, in Minnesota, every youth that goes through court is automatically put on probation.
We understand that the reason a youth was referred was typically for their own choices, and we want the youth to be held accountable for their actions. At YSB, we also focus on building knowledge and skills to prevent re-occurrence of incidents and behaviors requiring involvement of law enforcement in the future. Research and program evaluation show that Community Justice/Diversion programs are more effective when parents are involved.
Normally after going through a Diversion program, there is no record saying that you were ever charged with anything. We do also live in a world where everything can be searched and found on the Internet, so before applying for jobs and colleges, it doesn’t hurt to check in with your local police department and see if the youth has a record that people can see.
Only the Diversion Specialist can give out that list, after meeting with the client. Even if they have done CWS with us before, the family still needs to meet with YSB staff to sign releases. We also have a close relationship with our work sites and have told them we only give the list to our clients.
We understand that the siblings may need to come along, but we would appreciate it if they can sit in the waiting area. Siblings must be old enough to maintain safe and respectful behavior on their own while waiting during your entire appointment/class.
Depending on why your child is being referred to YSB, they may not be the only one participating in our program offerings. Due to client privacy, however, we can only discuss your own child with you.
