Model Cities in partnership with Ramsey County Community Corrections is working to improve public safety and long-term outcomes for juveniles in Ramsey County. Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiatives (JDAI), a nationally recognized, evidence-based project has a proven track record of reducing unnecessary reliance on secure detention in a wide range of jurisdictions across the nation. Model Cities offers two effective detention alternatives for juveniles who should not be held in secure detention.
- Model Cities Evening Learning Center (ELC) is a community-based site providing short-term structured programming for youth identified in pending delinquency proceedings and who would otherwise be in secure detention. Model Cities’ ELC offers programs and services designed to build assets in disconnected youth and provide them with structured and positive out-of-school time activities. Program activities include homework assistance and tutoring, life skills development (e.g. personal budgeting, conflict resolution, independent living skills) career development, service learning projects, and various special workshops (e.g. gang intervention, chemical abuse). Primary hours are Monday through Friday, 4:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. Transportation is provided.
- Community Coach is a collaborative, made up of community-based organization and individual contractors working together to provide a short-term referral source for probation for those youth who are at risk of a probation violation. The primary role of the community coach is to intervene with youth who are already involved in criminal behavior in an effort to prevent repeat behavior or escalation. A community coach should not be mistaken for a probation officer but will work with youth, parents, and probation to ensure that youth comply with their court appearance requirements.