Middle School
After-School Programs

The after-school programs are run by Upper Bay Counseling Services and Generation Station

The after-school programs are run by Upper Bay Counseling Services and Generation Station. They are held at Cherry Hill Middle, Elkton Middle and Bohemia Manor, for 2.5 hours a day, four days a week. The goal of the after-school programs is to provide a safe and structured environment for students who are at a higher risk of participating in unhealthy behaviors in the out-of-school hours.

Key program components include:

• Academic and homework assistance
• Character Building
• Health and physical well-being
• Recreation
  

In Fiscal Year 2009, the after-school programs served 100 youth from three middle schools.

Approximately 55% of participants improved their grades in English, Math and Reading.

Bridges

Bridges is run by Youth Services Agency

Bridges is run by Youth Services Agency and provides coordinated intervention services for transitional-age youth (16-21) who need additional supports in their journey to adulthood. The case manager’s in this program assist youth who have already dropped out of high school, with a variety of services to help them successfully and confidently enter adulthood.

Bridges services include:

• Job readiness
  
• Job Coaching
  
• Job placement and support
  
• GED attainment and tutoring
  
• Life skills training
  
• Housing and/or transportation assistance
  
• Mental Health Counseling
  
• Recreational activities
• The Bridges program aims to create contributing adults to our society. They offer an outstanding opportunity for youth that were unable to succeed in school, to succeed in life.

For more information on the Bridges Program call: 410-996-9034

In Fiscal Year 2009, the Bridges Program served 79 new participants.

• In addition, 91 participants transitioned from active case management to the less-intensive aftercare.
• During the course of the year, 47 participants completed vocational training, 48 enrolled in GED classes, and 20 completed Job Ready and computer literacy training.
• 18 students obtained their GED and 26 obtained employment.

School Based Health Centers

Were created to offer an on-site, preventative and basic health service for students

School-Based Health Centers were created to offer an on-site, preventative and basic health service for students, their siblings and families to enable them to be healthier and more successful in school. Services include diagnosis and treatment for common illnesses and referrals to other services. This program is now open at Bainbridge Elementary School.

Bridges Detour

Is run by Youth Services Agency and is designed for youth exhibiting delinquent-like behaviors

Detour is run by Youth Services Agency and is designed for youth exhibiting delinquent-like behaviors. This program links youth and their families to community services to strengthen protective assets and reduce risk factors for juvenile delinquency. Youth can be referred by child serving agencies, parents or the community. Youth also participate in recreational and community service projects to build self esteem and self-confidence.

For more information on the Bridges Detour Program call: 410-996-9034

• In Fiscal Year 2009, 19 youth received active services in Detour, another 32 were linked to the Detour program from other agencies and 40 youth received ongoing aftercare.
• 94% of participants had no subsequent arrests after intake into the program.
• 92% of participants had no truancy violations after intake into the program.

Alternative Suspension

Provides an alternative to out-of-school suspension

ASP provides an alternative to out-of-school suspension for students who receive a suspension for one or more days. The goals of the program are to reduce recidivism and down-time for students during suspensions. Students who participate in the program reduce their number of suspended days in exchange for participating in community service projects. Students with out-of-school suspensions for more than twenty days also receive academic assistance for completing missed school work, anger management, team building exercises, substance abuse prevention classes and counseling to improve interpersonal skills. Projects range from assisting county and municipal parks and recreation departments, the Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Conservation Corps in beautification projects to assisting other non-profits.

For additional information on the ASP program call Jason Argoe: 410-996-9034

• In Fiscal Year 2009, the Alternative to Suspension program served 165 students who had short-term suspensions and 44 students who had long-term suspensions.
• Program participants helped to maintain local parks, church properties and beaches.

Juvenile Outreach

Was developed by the Perryville Police department in 2006

The Juvenile Outreach program was developed by the Perryville Police Department in 2006 as an innovative program to serve local youth aged 13 to 21. This program developed due to the number of police interactions with, and arrests of local youth. This program serves to develop positive interactions and relationships between Perryville youth and local law enforcement. This program provides mentoring as well as group and individual counseling, life skills training and many recreational activities to program participants. This program has a DJS diversion component, meant for first time youthful offenders. When a first time offender is arrested, they and their guardians meet with local law enforcement to create an Individual Service Plan. This ISP determines what services the youth should receive in order to prevent re-offending. If the youth chooses not to participate in the program, or does not complete all requirements successfully, their case is referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for follow up.

For more information on the Juvenile Outreach Program contact Michelle Lewis: 410-642-9728

• In Fiscal Year 2009, the Perryville Police Department Juvenile Outreach Program served approximately 75 youth. 22 were first-time offenders who were referred to the Department of Juvenile Services diversion program.
• Overall, there were 329 individual counseling sessions offered and 38 group sessions.
• 86% of Diversion Program participants had no new or repeat DJS involvement while participating in the program.

Life Skills Training

LST is a uniquely designed comprehensive substance abuse prevention program

Life Skills Training (LST) program is a science-based model program listed on the SAMHSA National Registry of Model Programs and is considered to be an exemplary researched-based prevention program by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

LST is a uniquely designed comprehensive substance abuse prevention program that combats the primary underlying causes of substance use. Each LST program cycle has eight sessions to be implemented with the same children. The program consists of three major components: drug resistance, personal self-management skills and general social skills. Drug resistance skills enable young people to learn information and practical skills for resisting peer pressure and media influences that condone drug use. Personal self-management skills teach students how to increase their self-esteem, understand the effects of their behavior, set personal goals, problem solve effectively and reduce stress. General social skills teach students how to communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings, build confidence, demonstrate assertiveness and make healthy choices.

If you are interested in obtaining more information or scheduling a Life Skills training session in Cecil County. Contact Laura Moyer: 410-996-9034

• In Fiscal Year 2009, 92 participants completed Life Skills Training.
• 97% of students who completed the program demonstrated an increased knowledge of drug resistance, personal skills and social skills.