The Safe Youth Safer Lake County team is a collaborative effort between A Safe Place and Community Youth Network, established by The Partnership for a Safer Lake County, that provides a two-pronged approach to addressing youth at risk.
 

Prevention

Public Awareness & School/Community Education by A Safe Place

• Bilingual public awareness campaign about violence prevention, community resources, and the work of the Partnership targeting 13,000 households with children under 18
• Youth development and education in Waukegan middle and high school for more than 4,000 students
• Lessons on healthy relationships during school health classes and assemblies
• Weekly school groups addressing risk and protection and focused on trauma, psychoeducation, life skills, and alternatives to suspension
• Professional county-wide conference
• Workshops 5 times per month where A Safe Place and Community Youth Network educate the community on a variety of topics with a focus on ending violence

Intervention

Behavioral Health Services by Community Youth Network

• Partnership with the Waukegan Police Department to identify at-risk youth and meet with families in homes or at police stations
• Bilingual case management of 100 youth identifying IDHS domains, ensuring access to services, encouraging positive social skills and participation in the community, and scheduling follow up visits
• Individual and group counseling for 75 youth including cognitive behavioral therapy, anger management, and violence prevention/intervention (average student will receive nine months of counseling)
• Individual and group counseling and street intervention for 50 gang-involved youth

To learn more about our partners at the Community Youth Network, click here.
To learn more about the establishment of the Partnership for A Safer Lake County, click here.