Overview

The Choice Program utilizes a strength-based approach to provide an array of services to youth and their families. Choice staff is committed to offering services that fit the needs of the client, and to promoting empowerment to ensure long-term success. In providing early intervention, intensive support, and youth employment programs, The Choice Program is able to adequately respond to the needs of the individuals with whom they are working.

Early Intervention

Early intervention is fundamental to preventing delinquency. The Choice Program recognizes this theory by accepting referrals for youth with no legal involvement, as well as individuals from The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and The Department of Social Services. The young people are in need of caring relationships from adult mentors. Caseworkers, therefore, focus on seeking positive activities and long-term, community-based supports. Preventing potential involvement in the juvenile justice system is the objective. Using a strengths-based approach, Caseworkers mentor participants to encourage positive decision-making.

From 1993 to 2002, The Choice Programs included The Choice Middle Schools Program. The early intervention model of Choice Middle Schools, funded through the Maryland State Department of Education, focused on dropout prevention and the academic success of middle school-aged boys and girls. Attending participants' classes and meeting with guidance counselors, administrators, and teachers, Caseworkers concentrated on students' academic progress. The Caseworkers also organized and led after school homework sessions four days a week. The model of The Choice Middle Schools Program was similar to that of The Choice Program. There was a continued emphasis on educational advocacy and planned evening home visits to engage parents in youths' academic achievement.

Intensive Support

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services refers youth to The Choice Program who are in need of intensive support and supervision in the community. For youth experiencing initial involvement with the juvenile justice system, The Choice Program strives to deter further delinquent behavior, empower youth and families, and involve youth in positive activities. Community supervision by The Choice Program is often an alternative to costly residential placement. Youth are given holistic support and the opportunity to succeed in the community to avoid more serious sanctions.

The Choice Program also provides intensive supervision to youth returning to the community from residential placements. Transitioning from the structured environment of a detention facility back to their homes and communities is a tenuous time for young people. The Choice Program employs Caseworkers to help in this transition period by making daily contact with youth and families, establishing accountability, monitoring school attendance, and providing links to resources and social supports to address any educational, legal, and mental health needs.

A team model allows Choice Caseworkers to provide services 7 days a week, 365 days a year to any youth who are in need of the most intensive level of community supervision. In addition to advocating for youth during the school day and providing after-school and weekend activities for youth, Choice Caseworkers rotate their schedules to make evening home visits on a daily basis. This allows Caseworkers to build rapport with families, facilitate communication, and address any need for additional resources. If needed, Caseworkers are available 24 hours a day for crisis intervention.

Youth Employment

The Choice Jobs Program

Each year, The Choice Jobs Program assists over 200 youth in obtaining after-school and summer jobs through mock interviews, assistance with applications, and jobs skills coaching. As young people explore their future goals, they are offered exposure to different career opportunities.

The Choice Jobs Program hires youth ages 14-18 to work in the program's employment training facility at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Youth are interviewed and hired for positions at the Flying Fruit Fantasy fruitshake stand, located on the lower level behind home plate. While preparing fruitshakes and learning how to operate a cash register, the participants gain hands-on job experience. The young people strive to provide quality customer service.

Choice Jobs Mission Statement

As an initiative of the Choice Program of the Shriver Center at UMBC, Choice Jobs provides life skills, employment, and entrepreneurial training to economically disadvantaged youth in order to contribute to a viable work force for Baltimore City and the state of Maryland. This mission is accomplished through case management, advocacy services, and partnerships with area businesses.

How You Can Help

In the off-season, the Choice Jobs Program delivers employment readiness trainings, preparing youth for the work force. The Choice Jobs program is currently looking to partner with area businesses to phase qualified youth into vacant positions. In addition, the Choice Jobs Program features Career Exploration Fairs throughout the year to expose young people to a variety of career opportunities. The program seeks those interested in presenting information about their current occupation. Please contact the Choice Jobs Program for details about our next event. The Choice Jobs program is continually accepting donations of food vouchers, gift certificates, and other incentives to reward youth employees at our training facility.

Contact Choice Jobs at 410-327-5463

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