This is a program coordinated by universities and aimed at adolescent lawbreakers of both sexes between the ages of 13 and 15. The objective is to prevent juvenile delinquency and “divert” adolescents from the juvenile justice system by strengthening community and family ties.
Each adolescent is accompanied for 18 weeks by a case manager (university volunteer). The active phase of the program takes place in the first 12 weeks, during which the case manager accompanies the adolescent for 6 to 8 hours a week (at home, at school, and in the community). The manager’s job is to inform adolescents about community resources and put them in contact with social services, taking into account their individual interests and needs.
In the last four weeks, called the follow-up phase, case managers reduce the time spent with them, acting as consultants and preparing the adolescents to use the techniques and strategies they have learned during the program.