SAFE director Margaret Morton said the funds would go toward continuing the implementation of the program and paying for its resources.
”It’s a juvenile deterrent program. We work with the school districts in Talladega County and Sylacauga and with Juvenile Court Judge Ryan Rumsey,” Morton said. “The program is intended to prevent children who may be having some problems from developing more serious issues.”
Morton said Cheaha Mental Health has committed a major part of the implementation and personnel for the program. Turning Point meets with children and their families in the north end of the county once a week and in the south end of the county once a week.
The program reaches out to the child’s entire family, not just the child. “They have a curriculum they go over with the parents as well as the intervention with the children,” Morton said.
Children with warning signs such as slipping grades or attendance problems are usually the ones in the program. Morton estimated the program has been operating for about six years.
The grant was part of $324,028 awarded through the governor’s office and the Alabama Department of Economic Affairs to help youth in central Alabama avoid lives filled with drugs and violence.
The money was shared among eight organizations to continue programs helping youth in Talladega, St. Clair, Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties.
“Once-promising futures can be quickly destroyed by criminal behavior and drug abuse. These programs hold juveniles accountable for their actions while helping them get on the path to becoming productive citizens,” Gov. Bob Riley said in a released statement.
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