Statement of Needs Questionnaire

Statement of Needs QuestionnaireMore than fifty percent of the male population of youth between the ages of 16to 18 years old in Essex County needs some form of vocational training. EssexCounty is the largest County in the New Jersey and most individuals within thatage group do not have a high school diploma or GED and more than half haveeither been detained or arrested for illegal activities.  The Juvenile JusticeCommission conducted a survey of incarcerated adolescents to determine whatthey felt they needed in order for them to become productive members of societyand to focus on their educational and vocational needs.  Their highest priority wasto learn how to deal with peer pressure and having the courage to make the rightdecisions and choices. New Jersey has a wide variety of programs and services thatare available to youth, much more than was available years ago, however,  there isa limited number of mentoring programs in the New Jersey. Adolescents that are not able to return to school there is home schooling thereis also in-home therapy sessions that is available to all youth whether they are athome, in residential placement or incarcerated.  Adolescents are able to performcommunity service that will satisfy some probation requirements.  Most if not allof the services that available for adolescents require a diagnosis of substance use,trauma or mental health issues. Adolescents with a level of care diagnosis of III.5will be able to access all of these services and more.  However the adolescents thatare diagnosis at a lower level of care are not privy to many of these services andthey need them.  The increase of licensed clinic