The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice, recently spotlighted one of its Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Projects, the City of Menomonie Police Department (MPD) and their youth initiative Project Hope, which is a juvenile deflection program developed by the MPD in March 2020. Managed by former Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson, this program employs a Juvenile Review Team (JRT), which meets biweekly, to identify eligible youth in need of diversion or deflection measures. Once selected and depending on need, the JRT will connect youth to early intervention resources at their disposal, which include mentoring, counseling/therapy, food resources, shelter assistance, case management, and academic tutoring. Project Hope also offers deflection opportunities to youth participating in criminal behavior/activities. While participation is voluntary, youth would be required to complete the program’s evidence-based online education initiative, which boasts a 90% completion rate. Project Hope also utilizes the Botvin LifeSkills training program to educate youth on prevention/reduction of substance use and violence and other high-risk behaviors with tools to help parents empower their child’s decision-making skills. MPD currently refers around 50 juveniles each year. O2SL & QRT National, as a MPD deflection partner under the COSSUP project, is honored to highlight the great work MPD is doing in the great state of Wisconsin and their recent national recognition. You can read more about their tireless efforts under Project Hope on the COSSUP website.
O2SL and QRT National
OPERATION 2 SAVE LIVES & QRT NATIONAL