CASES is one of New York City's leading not-for-profit providers of alternative sentencing programs for court-involved individuals. Our mission is to increase the understanding and use of community sanctions that are fair, affordable, and consistent with public safety. CASES provides alternative-to-incarceration programs for court-involved young people and adults with behavioral health treatment needs.
The Court Employment Project (CEP), CASES’ primary youth program, was founded in 1967. CEP serves youth ages 16-19 facing felony charges. As an alternative-to-incarceration, CEP combines a strength-based youth development framework with accountability to the courts. The program emphasizes youths’ skills and abilities in helping them set high expectations for their own educational, vocational, and social development. Each youth has an individualized program service plan tailored to his needs and goals. CEP services include onsite pre-GED and GED classes, liaison support for engagement in community schools, employment-readiness training, internship and job placements, substance abuse counseling, therapeutic/mental health services, and support for the pursuit of a college education and/or vocational training.
CASES is part of a larger community of alternative-to-incarceration and drug treatment organizations. Working with our peer organizations, CASES has identified a shortage of meaningful and inspiring extracurricular opportunities to engage participants for whom idle time can present significant challenges. The need to provide positive activities in the community for court-involved young people led to the creation of the Above the Streets Basketball League.