Objectives of Decatur Youth Services:
- Establish School Relationships: Build strong connections with local schools, focusing on at-risk students by visiting each school in Decatur. These visits will familiarize administrators and students with the Youth Services Department.
- Community Resource Directory: Develop and maintain a comprehensive directory of community groups and agencies that serve young people, making this resource accessible to schools and parents, and fostering collaborative relationships with these organizations.
- Promote Community Awareness: Enhance public awareness of available youth programs through targeted speaking engagements and media campaigns.
- Youth Employment and Skills Development: Encourage businesses and industries to establish Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), increase youth employment opportunities, and offer cultural and social skills training within their organizations.
- Support for Youth Programs: Create funding opportunities to support organizations and programs that motivate at-risk youth to become confident and successful adults.
- Expansion of After-School Programs: Enhance and expand after-school programs that focus on educational, technical, arts and crafts, recreational and social skill development.
- Drug Awareness and Prevention: Raise public awareness of drug abuse prevention and treatment programs, and establish additional initiatives to address substance abuse across all socio-economic groups.
- Mentorship and Role Models: Challenge local college and university students to serve as mentors and role models for at-risk youth, contributing to the development of respectful and responsible future adults.