At-Risk Youth Improving Their Lives Through VIDA

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Vital Intervention & Directional Alternatives (VIDA) 16-week program for at-risk youth

Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) is a structured 16-week program for non-violent, at-risk youth between the ages of 11 and 17½ who are struggling with parent relationships, academics, anti-social peers/attitudes and making smart decisions. Typically, participants are referred to the program through a community agency. Participants are then interviewed by trained VIDA staff members to determine if they meet the program’s targeted risk level. Parents can also enroll their children in the program.

Although facilitated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the program is a collaboration between community-based organizations, volunteers, schools and families. The overall goal of the program is to teach youth the value of effective decision-making and taking responsibility for their futures.

The program originated as the dream of a group of East Los Angeles Station deputy sheriffs who wanted to help troubled youth and their families. Since its inception in 1996, VIDA has grown into a comprehensive re-directional program with eight locations across Los Angeles County.

VIDA is a structured, 16-week program that requires both participant and parent/guardian(s) to commit themselves fully in order to see results. The process begins when an at-risk youth is referred to the program. Referring agencies often include courts, law enforcement, the Department of Child and Family Services, Probation Department, school districts, parents and religious institutions.

Upon referral, youths complete an intake interview with trained VIDA staff members. During the interview, the applicant’s risk level is assessed to determine if the youth meets the program’s targeted level of moderate to high risk of offending/reoffending.

Following the interview and selection for the program, youths attend an orientation night with their families. Once the program begins, VIDA staff members conduct home and school visits during the week to monitor social behaviors, reduce truancy and improve academic performance.

The mid-week re-directional component focuses on the student’s most pressing risk factors. Depending on the student, these range from family issues, educational issues, vocational skills and employment, to anger issues, self-control skills, anti-social attitudes, substance abuse and anti-social peer contacts.

Working to lower these factors involves addressing how the student interacts with the community and developing pro-social attitudes while reducing negative peer contacts.

Students spend eight hours on Saturdays at the VIDA site closest to their homes. The Saturday component focuses on students’ perceptions of themselves in relation to the community and authority figures. Staff members tackle topics such as personal health and hygiene, physical conditioning, individual and group dynamics, life responsibilities, negative peer groups, community stewardship and revitalization, and gender-sensitive issues.

In addition to the mid-week and Saturday components, students spend one night per week, along with their parents, participating in a 2 hour group class that targets family issues. The goal of these sessions is to slowly rebuild damaged relationships and equip both the parent and child with problem-solving skills that increase positive communication and understanding.

At the conclusion of the program, each participant receives a certificate of completion and is referred to other community-based programs to continue their individual goals and careers.

Our goal is for the VIDA students and their families to emerge with stronger bonds in place, as well as better judgment, integrity, initiative, respect and a new take on life. After all, VIDA is life.

VIDA offers classes at eight sites: Altadena, Compton, East LA, Lakewood, Lancaster, South LA, Palmdale and Santa Clarita.  Classes are scheduled for (subject to change):
VIDA Class 21 First Saturday – Feb 12, 2011 – ends June 11, 2011
VIDA Class 22 First Saturday – Aug 13, 2011 – ends Dec 3, 2011
VIDA Class 23 First Saturday – Feb 11, 2012 – ends June 10, 2012
VIDA Class 24 First Saturday – Aug 11, 2012 – ends Dec 1, 2012

To learn more or to request an appointment, visit the VIDA website: http://www.vida.la/index.php

– c. Los Angeles Sherrif's Department, Vital Intervention & Directional Alternatives

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