Juvenile Offender Program

All youth need positive role models and a home to call their own.  Without supportive people to guide them and opportunities to see strong values in practice, some young people can lose their way.  They may end up facing the consequences of poor decisions or feel as if their actions don’t matter.

At South Carolina MENTOR, we know that many youth just need a second chance to live a better life.  We believe that, with the right support and specialized attention from caring adults, every young person can get back on track.  That’s why our Juvenile Offender program matches youth who have complex behavioral challenges and those involved with the juvenile justice system with dedicated foster parents who we call Mentors.

Personalized Treatment and Support

As caring role models, our Mentors invest in the teens they support and help steer them back toward the right path in life.  With guidance and oversight from South Carolina MENTOR’s clinical coordinators, Mentors help:

• Minimize the risk of offenses for youth who have already been involved in the court system
• Ensure that youth appear at court and community service appointments
• Protect youth from more restrictive placements, such as detention centers
• Ensure participation in court-appointed therapy or drug counseling/testing
• Assist youth in transitioning back to the family home

The Juvenile Offender program combines specialized behavioral treatment, structure and supervision to increase each young person’s chance of living successfully in the community.  The clinical coordinators, along with the teen’s family and the Mentor, establish realistic goals and focus on rewarding positive behaviors.

Personalized Services

Using our personalized approach, we address each teen’s challenges and strive to alleviate stressful situations that can cause high-risk behaviors.  Our individualized services include:

• Support for the foster parents/foster family
• Community outings under the supervision of the foster parents
• Ongoing service planning
• Education and family support to continue treatment at home

We also ensure that the youth attends school or alternative school close to their home or their Mentor’s home.  In addition, we connect teens in our program to community-based therapy, counseling, or psychiatric services, as outlined in their individual service plan.

Find out more about our Juvenile Offender program by contacting the South Carolina MENTOR office nearest you.

Want to Make a Difference?
Become a Mentor

As a Mentor, you can make a difference in a child’s life. Find out how you can become a Mentor, and click the “get started” button to connect with one of our staff members. You can also contact your local office to learn more.