Juvenile Justice Services
Supervised Treatment and Supports for Juveniles Programs (STSJP) and Raise the Age (RTA) Programs
New Directions Youth and Family Services provides services for referred youth by implementing our Transition to Independence Process also known as TIP Model®. There are three types of referrals that can be made by Erie County.
Supervised Treatment and Supports for Juveniles Program (STSJP) Youth – referrals are made by Erie County Juvenile Justice Team. We serve youth ages range from 7 to 18.
Supervised Treatment and Supports for Juveniles Program (STSJP) - Raise the Age (RTA) – referrals are made by Erie County Probation. We serve youth ages range from 16-23.
Raise the Age (RTA) – referrals are made by ECDSS and Probation for youth that are eligible for the Raise the Age services.
This evidence-supported practice is currently utilized with youth at New Directions Youth and Family Services and has been successful thus far. This process focuses primarily on engaging the youth in their future’s planning process.
Youth are supported by Transition Facilitator’s who strive to reduce recidivism within the Juvenile Justice System by implementing TIP practices through engagement with youth twice a week. Youth are able to be vocal about their current goals, barriers, and necessary steps to achieve greater self- sufficiency. Referrals can only be made by the Erie County Juvenile Probation team.
The TIP Model® which is an evidence-supported practice that focuses on youth engagement, future planning, and skill building through a person-centered approach. The TIP Model® is unique in its youth-driven approach that utilizes selected planning partners to support youth in their transition to adulthood.
The TIP Model® emphasizes youth voice and choice while supporting young adults with their transition into adulthood. The TIP Model® was specially developed for working with youth and young adults with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties to help:
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Engage them in their own future’s planning process.
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Provide them with developmentally appropriate and non-stigmatizing services and support.
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Involve the youth, their families, and other informal key players in becoming planning partners who assist youth in moving toward their goals.
Planning Partners
Supportive planning partners are selected by youth to assist them in different topic needs. Partners are both formal and informal key players in a youth’s life who assist the youth in achieving their goals.
Transition Facilitators
New Directions’ Transition Facilitators are trained in the TIP Model® to help teens and young adults adapt
to the world around them. They facilitate the young person’s future by implementing the TIP Model® and ensuring continuity of planning, services, and support.
TIP Model® Transition Domains
Transition Facilitators help youth identify 1 or 2 domains that are important to them. At New Directions, we emphasize that areas of focus are driven by youth voice and choice, rather than what Transitional Facilitators think is best.
1. TIP Model® Core Practices (Strength Discovery and Needs Assessment): Techniques for engaging youth in conversations to help them redefine their dreams for the future.
2. Futures Planning: Defining a life the youth wishes to live and describing what will assist them in moving toward that life, all from the youth’s perspective.
3. Rationales: Guiding youth to link their behaviors to positive or negative likely outcomes.
4. In-Vivo Teaching: Helping the youth develop major skills necessary for self-sufficiency which includes enhancing daily living skills, improving problem solving skills, and increasing employability.
5. SODAS (Situations, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, Solutions): A problem solving and decision-making method.
6. What’s Up? Prevention Planning on High-Risk Behaviors & Situations: A collaborative approach for youth to decide if/when change is needed. The Transition Facilitator supports them as they work through the stages of change. It incorporates Motivational Interviewing (MI) and harm reduction strategies.
7. SCORA (Situation, Concern, Options, Review Options and Agreement): Mediation with young people and other key players to resolve conflicts.
Contact Information for Juvenile Justice Services:
Ciosha Johnson
Transition to Independence Program Supervisor
Phone: 716-870-0407
Fax: 716-271-4546
Email: cjohnson@ndyfs.org
New Directions
Transition to Independence Program
4511 Harlem Road
Amherst, New York 14226