PROGRAMS
COURT EMPLOYMENT PROJECT
CARLOS'S STORY


At the age of seventeen, Carlos was mandated to the Court Employment Project (CEP) on a felony robbery charge. Previously, Carlos was unemployed and did not attend school regularly. "All I cared about was myself," he recalls.

Read More

Outcomes

Less than 15 percent of CEP graduates have a further criminal conviction within two years of graduation.

The Court Employment Project (CEP) started in 1967 as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice and was designed to give judges sentencing options other than prison or probation for teen offenders. In 1989, it transitioned to CASES as one of our founding programs.

Today, CEP is an alternative-to-incarceration program for youth ages 16-19 facing felony charges. The program combines a strengths-based, youth development focus with accountability to the courts. The youth development model emphasizes youths' skills and abilities in helping them set high expectations for their own educational, vocational and social development. Over the years, CASES has continuously innovated and expanded the program, for example, introducing gender-specific activities for young women, offering GED-preparation and testing, and placing youth in meaningful internships.

Screening and Advocacy

CASES court staff screen defendants in Supreme Court, advocate for participation in the program with judges and prosecutors, and report to the courts on participant progress and compliance.

Referrals to CEP

Services

  • Education - school placement and liaison services, on-site pre-GED/GED instruction and testing, college prep and application assistance, and quarterly college career fairs designed to get youth back on the right academic track.
  • Employment - career option exploration, job-readiness training, paid internship opportunities, quarterly career fairs, and job placement assistance to help youth build successful careers.
  • Clinical services - on-site substance abuse and mental health counseling, and assistance in securing long-term community care.
  • Extra-curricular activities - arts classes, sports teams, excursions and cultural events that promote positive social skill development and expand their interests. Recently, CASES has offered classes in computer animation, furniture construction, portrait painting, outdoor photography, and digital music editing.
  • Legal education seminars and legal services (through partner Youth Represent) - seminars that review participants' rights and responsibilities within the criminal justice system and the legal implications of receiving "Youthful Offender" status as well as legal representation for youth and families.