OBJECTIVES:

To prevent and to reduce the participation of juveniles in the activities of gangs that commit crimes.

Such programs and activities may include:

1) individual, peer, family, and group counseling, including provision of life skills training and preparation for living independently, which shall include cooperation with social services, welfare, and health care programs;

2) education and social services designed to address the social and developmental needs of juveniles;

3) crisis intervention and counseling to juveniles, who are particularly at risk of gang involvement, and their families;

4) the organization of the neighborhood and community groups to work closely with parents, schools, law enforcement, and other public and private agencies in the community; and

5) training and assistance to adults who have significant relationships with juveniles who are or may become members of gangs, to assist such adults in providing constructive alternatives to participating in the activities of gangs.

To develop within the juvenile adjudicatory and correctional systems new and innovative means to address the problems of juveniles convicted of serious drug-related and gang-related offenses.

To provide treatment to juveniles who are members of such gangs, including members who are accused of committing a serious crime and members who have been adjudicated as being delinquent.

To promote the involvement of juveniles in lawful activities in geographical areas in which gangs commit crimes.

To promote and support, with the cooperation of community-based organizations experienced in providing services to juveniles engaged in gang-related activities and cooperation of local law enforcement agencies, the development of policies and activities in public elementary and secondary schools which will assist such schools in maintaining a safe environment conducive to learning.

To assist juveniles who are or may become members of gangs to obtain appropriate educational instruction, in or outside a regular school program, including the provision of counseling and other services to promote and support the continued participation of such juveniles in such instructional programs.

To expand the availability of prevention and treatment services relating to the illegal use of controlled substances and controlled substances analogues (as defined in paragraphs (6) and (32) of section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) by juveniles, provided through State and local health and social services agencies.

To provide services to prevent juveniles from coming into contact with the juvenile justice system again as a result of gang-related activity.

To provide services at a special location in a school or housing project.

To facilitate coordination and cooperation among:

1) local education, juvenile justice, employment, and social service agencies; and

2) community-based programs with a proven record of effectively providing intervention services to juvenile gang members for the purpose of reducing the participation of juveniles in illegal gang activities.