Who Refers to Us
Professionals
California Youth Services (CYS) welcomes professionals to observe the JADE and/or the DECISIONS program free of charge. Professionals who are considering referring clients to CYS juvenile programs are invited to experience them first hand by appointment only.
To make an appointment please contact:
CYS Enrollment: (949) 303-9016
For more information about the JADE or DECISIONS programs please contact:
Margie Diaz, MSW, Director of California Youth Services: (949) 303-9015
Leslie Fahs, CYS Director of Operations: (949) 303-9017
School Districts
School-based programs are a three day education program for students who violate school policy regarding the possession, use and distribution, or are under the influence of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and related paraphernalia on school grounds or school related functions. The innovative and intervention focused school-based programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each school district and their students. Current school-based programs include Tustin Unified School District’s Project Today, Newport Mesa Unified School District’s Second Chance, and Los Alamitos Unified School District’s Project Intervention. Admittance into these programs is solely by school district referrals.
Parents
CYS programs receive referrals from schools, law enforcement, and concerned family members. The JADE (Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education) program is a wonderful assessment tool for parents/guardians who suspect that their child may be using drugs or alcohol. JADE participants commonly range from first time users to children with advanced addiction problems. The professional staff at JADE are addiction specialists that assist families by determining the extent of the child’s drug/alcohol experience and discerning if a substance abuse problem has developed. Each family is given individualized recommendations concerning the child enrolled in the JADE program.
CYS’s DECISIONS Program is also open for parents/guardians to enroll their child without a referral. The DECISIONS program was created in order for children to get a very realistic understanding of the direction criminal activity and bad choices can take their lives. DECISIONS is a legal awareness and a criminal diversion course. Many of the DECISIONS participants have been caught committing a crime (shoplifting, vandalizing, fighting, etc Being arrested is not a requirement for this program. Many participants are brought to the program by proactive parents/guardians after their children have disrespected important rules/laws (taken the car without permission or a driver’s license, sneaking out past curfew, stealing money from relatives). The DECISIONS program opens the eyes of young people to the very real consequences of probation and incarceration.