Columbia County Youth in Governance Programs

• Youth participating in teen court advise changes to policies. These are forwarded to the Juvenile Justice Committee. Youth also attend Columbia County Connects Coalition meetings.
• Youth/Adult partnership works with Columbia County Connects Coalition activities such as the Asset Builders.
• Teen Court established and trained by Extension involved 35 panelists hearing cases in 2009. Youth developed training materials, served as teen court panelists, and implemented service projects.
• Columbia County F.L.A.G. (Future Leaders Active in Government) provided 12 high school juniors with 8 sessions on local government, citizen roles, and leadership skills.
• The Local Government project engaged 4-H club members in attending and presenting at meetings, interviewing elected officials and providing information to 7 town boards, 2 villages, 2 cities and 28 of 31 county supervisors.
• Teen Court was expanded with new support from police departments. Youth who appear in front of the court and complete their sentence are invited to join the Teen Court Association which is governed by youth volunteers. This group reviews training, sentencing options, and program guidelines and recommends program revisions to the Juvenile Justice Committee. They also established a jail tour to help respondents understand the potential consequences of their actions. Over 50% of respondents completing sentences later serve as volunteers with the Teen Court.
  
• Columbia County Impact Reportt (1 pg, 72.5 kb)

For more information: Columbia County UW-Extension Youth Development