February 12, 2014
Intake night for VIDA Class #27
Orientation for over 300 VIDA participants and their families took place during Intake Night events on February 12 & 13 at eight sites throughout the County.
The VIDA (Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives) program enrolled over 300 students at 8 sites throughout Los Angeles County. Intake night involves deputy facilitators and guest speakers who provide an eye-opening orientation process wherein parents and students begin a 16-week academy designed to steer non-violent "at-risk" youth, between the ages of 11 and 17, away from negative behavior and truancy while breaking the cycle of criminal behavior. City officials, station captains, clergy members, and prior VIDA graduates offer encouragement to families and support for the program while former gang members and drug counselors provide reality orientations about the long term consequences of delinquent behavior and incarceration. VIDA deputies work directly with a cadre of volunteers, including community based organizations, teachers, psychologists, drug counselors who donate their time and expertise to assist in the success of the program. VIDA participants are referred to the program via juvenile courts, the Probation Department, school counselors, and parents. Patrol deputies and station detectives are encouraged to consider referring candidates to VIDA in lieu of filing a petition when appropriate.
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