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Looking for At-risk Teens

By Serena Maria Daniels
Signal Staff Writer

Tuesday October 3, 2006
Deputies are on the search for at-risk teens this fall, after a summer school break created a lull in interest for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station VIDA Program.

Aimed at teens on the brink of falling into illegal behavior, the Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives program was reinstated last January after having been cut out of the Sheriff's Department budget three years ago.

At the request of city officials and parents, the boot camp-style program was picked up again, this time paid for by the city of Santa Clarita.

The first class graduated 20 out of 27 of its participants. They met for 16 Saturdays at 8 a.m. and were under the supervision of deputies until 3 p.m., doing push-ups, military-style drills and performing community service.

Teens also met on Mondays and Thursdays with their families for counseling.

The teens - often referred to the program by their parents - were also given random drug tests, academic progress reports and had home visits from deputies.

VIDA is no easy ride.

Some students and even parents are not willing to commit to the entire course, said Deputy Tim Ferrone, who heads the program.

"A lot of the parents or children feel the time commitment is not worth it or it's flat out refusal," said Ferrone of those who dropped out of the program last spring.

The structure within the program is often just what a troubled teen needs in their life, Ferrone said.

Part of the lower interest in the program is because there was no class during the summer, many parents interested in having their kids join before the break either changed their minds or their teens had already gotten in trouble with the law.

"A lot of the parents want help ... it's spur of the moment (when they call us because) they want immediate action," Ferrone said.

One of the prerequisites to participating in VIDA, however, is that the juvenile must not have a felony record, and they cannot be heavily involved in drugs.

So far, 11 teens have been signed up for this fall's class, which is set to commence Saturday.

Ferrone said that even if only a few more sign up, he will still continue with the class. Once everyone is registered, an orientation session will be held Oct. 5.

Open registration in the intervention program is being held today from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 21445 Centre Point Parkway.

Copyright:The Signal

 

 

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