The children who come to the attention of the Benton-Franklin Counties Juvenile Justice Center are from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

History has taught us that children who are abused, neglected, ignored,and discarded are those moste likely to engage in criminal activity. History has also taught us that this outcome can be changed when communities are invested, by deed, not by word, in the lives of these young people.

While the Juvenile Justice Center provides important probation, parole and detention programs for youth people who have become involved in serious crime, there are many other intervention and prevention services offered to a much broader population of our counties youth.

These programs rely on partnerships with parents, law enforcement, schools, treatment programs, social service programs and community volunteers. Several of these programs are successful specifically because of the work of volunteers. Without the dedication of these caring adults in our communities, the lives of many children and older youth would not have been so positively affected.

Volunteer Guardian ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. Cases of broken bones, scalding, sexual abuse, failure to thrive, babies left unattended for long periods of time, children living in filthy squalor and babies born drug addicted are not uncommon occurrences in our counties. During 1999, 120 new cases were brought to the attention of the court regarding children who had suffered from abuse or neglect at the hands of those who should love, care for, and protect them, In Benton and Franklin counties, these children have the opportunity to have a volunteer advocate appointed.

A Volunteer Guardian ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate (GAL/CASA) can be appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child who has been abused or neglected. The volunteer is responsible for conducting a full investigation of the circumstances of the case. The volunteer must provide a written report to the court, appear at court hearings, and make recommendations in the best interest of the child. There are currently 117 volunteer GAL/CASAs in Benton and Franklin counties who have been appointed to represent 150 children.

Truancy Boards: The truancy program in Benton and Franklin counties is a partnership between the schools, the Juvenile Justice Center and volunteer truancy board members.

When a school files a Truancy Petition with the court, the student and parents are given an opportunity to appear before a truancy board. The truancy board is made up of community volunteers, who meet with the student and parents, evaluate the circumstances of the truancy, and establish a plan of action to get the student back into school. Last year, there were 35 members in our community who volunteered on truancy boards. A total of 750 students were referred to these truancy boards for lack of school attendance. Of those, 67 percent returned to school and remained active in school for the rest of the year.

Diversion Program/ Community Accountability Broads: Washington state law allows for volunteer members of the community to review cases of minor/first offenders who are referred to the court. The role of these volunteers is to participate on a Community Accountability Board, which meets with the young offender and his or her parents. The board reviews the circumstances of the case and decides on a course of action that will hold the youth accountable to pay back the victim and ocmmuinty. The board may require the youth to complete community service and make restitution to the victim. The board may also require participation in special programs of services that will help the young offender and the parents resolve issues and prevent further criminal involvement. Last year, 63 community accountability board members met with and reviewed the cases of 559 youth and volunteered a total of 1,515 hours.

All the volunteers of the Juvenile Justice Center undergo a thorough, background investigation, receive initial and ongoing training and, are supervised by Juvenile-Justice Center staff. We are grateful to all who dedicate their time and energy to make a difference in the life of a child. Interested volunteers should call the JJ Center at 783-2151