Promoting the Success of Young People Vulnerable to Policing & Arrest
Young people with criminal legal system involvement often miss critical developmental opportunities to pursue an education, get a job, learn essential life skills, and participate in their communities. CASES Education, Career & Enrichment (ECE) programming serves youth and young adults ages 12-27, prioritizing young people who’ve come in contact with the criminal legal system, which disproportionately affects Black and Latine communities. ECE programming begins by identifying young people’s unique talents and skills. By working with youth to strengthen these abilities, ECE promotes relationship building, health and wellness, education, and career preparation.
Through the following services, ECE works with young people to achieve their personal goals while encouraging engagement within their communities:
- Mentoring
- Job readiness, paid internships, summer employment, and job placement
- High School Equivalency (HSE) classes and onsite GED testing
- Support for accessing benefits and connecting to housing and treatment providers
- Clinical treatment including in-home family therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Community service projects
- Recreational activities
Impact
ECE builds young people’s strength and resilience, supporting them to avoid arrest and incarceration.
In 2023, CASES ECE:
- Served 641 young people across 10 different programs
- Supported more than 250 young people to secure paid internships, secure employment, earn a work-readiness credential, and/or earn a GED diploma.
ECE Programs
Adolescent Portable Therapy (APT)
APT is an intervention using cognitive behavioral treatment techniques designed to engage youth and their families in effective home-based counseling services and reduce the risk of youth probation violation or recidivism.
Eligibility: Youth ages 12-27
How to Refer: Email Eric Kolb, Director, at ekolb@cases.org
Choices Alternative to Detention (ATD)
Choices ATD serves young people facing charges in Family Court, enabling them to avoid detention and remain at home with their families and in their schools and communities while their Family Court matter is pending. Choices ATD helps youth (re)engage in school, build work-readiness, develop stronger family relationships, and access resources in their communities.
Eligibility: Young people facing charges in the Bronx and Manhattan Family Courts
How to Refer: Email choices@cases.org
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)
JAG is an 18-month program for young people who are out of school and unemployed, featuring 6-9 months of work-readiness instruction, individual career counseling, and opportunities including paid internships. The program also offers up to 12 months of support for job placement, retention, and advancement, with services provided in the Bronx, Downtown Brooklyn, Coney Island, and Harlem.
Eligibility: Youth ages 17-24
How to Refer: Complete the JAG NYC Referral Form
Mentoring & Advocacy Program (MAAP)
MAAP is a six-month one-to-one mentoring program serving youth with involvement in the City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) system that includes direct support for family members and caregivers.
Eligibility: Youth ages 12-21 residing in Manhattan
How to Refer: Referrals are made through the NYC Administration for Child Services (ACS) Family Assessment Program. If your teen is in crisis email FAPinquiry@acs.nyc.gov for assistance.
Fair Futures: Scholars Making Moves
Launched in partnership with ACS, Fair Futures enables young people enrolled in CASES MAAP to explore career opportunities and develop financial literacy. The program features an adapted version of JAG NY that like JAG includes an introduction to credentialing as part of understanding employment pathways.
Eligibility: Youth enrolled in CASES MAAP program
Pathways to Excellence, Achievement & Knowledge (PEAK)
PEAK is a goal-focused program for youth who are under the supervision of Juvenile Probation, providing after-school, evening, and all-day summer programming combining educational enrichment with therapeutic behavioral supports.
Eligibility: Youth ages 16+ on juvenile probation in the Bronx and Brooklyn
How to Refer: Complete the PEAK Referral Form
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
SYEP is a six-week paid summer employment program for youth involved in the criminal legal, child welfare, foster care system(s) and/or who are experiencing homelessness.
Eligibility: Youth ages 14-24
How to Refer: Visit the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for application info
Works Plus
Works Plus is a neighborhood-based employment, education, and community engagement program for young people who are unemployed and highly vulnerable for involvement in gun violence.
Eligibility: Youth ages 17-24 residing in Central Harlem
How to Refer: Email Allie White, Program Supervisor, at awhite@cases.org
