Accountability and Responsibility Program
A&R Program Overview
The Accountability and Responsibility “A&R” Program is an exciting and innovative initiative serving at risk youth in Chautauqua County who have been identified as needing additional services to prevent out of home placement. The Accountability and Responsibility Program serves as a county-wide resource focusing on the development of life skills, the creation of individualized change plans, and provides a safe, fun, and supervised environment to help youth succeed.
The A & R Program objective is to maintain youth in their home setting as well as reduce recidivism rates of youth requiring Family Court intervention. Youth workers partner with participants to address their social, emotional, behavioral, cultural, spiritual and physical needs. The A&R Program strives to create a climate of mutual respect, understanding, acceptance, safety, equality, diversity, personal accountability and responsibility.
Program Model
Applying the information presented in the interactive journals to their own lives helps participants achieve their goals of responsible living. The Forward Thinking Series provides high risk youth with an opportunity to identify and target risk/need areas.
The series will guide youth ages 13-21 high-risk populations in taking ownership of the choices and actions that lead to positive change. The Forward Thinking Interactive Journaling® Series was developed in collaboration with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and The Division of Juvenile Justice’s Interactive Journaling® Charter.
The Accountability and Responsibility Program also maintains an Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Group to support youth across Chautauqua County. This subgroup specializes in working on skills that young people need most when they are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. This includes topics like managing difficult emotions, budgeting, healthy living, safe sex, healthy relationships, housing, and many others. This ongoing group allows youth to remain connected to the A&R team and continue to expand on the skills already learned in the A&R Program core sessions.
Youth Eligibility Requirements & Core Focus Areas
- Ages 13 through 21
- Referred by Juvenile Probation Officer, Chautauqua County worker, mental health provider, service provider, or school
- Ability to interact with peers in an appropriate manner
- Community Engagement & Service
- Education Supports
- Time Management Skills
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Matching Career / Interests
- Employment Preparation & Related Skills
- Addressing Prejudice & Discrimination
- Communication & Listening Skills
- Conflict Management & Solution Building
- Social Emotional Learning Skills Group
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