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"What Teens Need to Know" Program Provides Outreach to CPD Students

Suzanne Le Mignot of Channel 2 covered the "What Teens Need to Know Program". The full story can be seen at the link below:

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/what.teens.need.2.1757690.html

The Chicago Police Department (CPD), Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO), Circuit Court of Cook County and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) have partnered together to provide Chicago Public School (CPS) students a dynamic and educational program to combat criminal activity including gangs, guns and drugs. The inaugural presentation was held at Robeson High School located at 6835 South Normal in the Englewood community several months ago. 

A modified version of the "What Teens Need to Know" program has been used for the past several years in high schools in the north and northwest suburbs and has been highly successful. After joining forces with CPS and CPD, the program has been tailored to reach CPS students. The program is 90 minutes long and consists of presentations by a judge, assistant state's attorney, narcotics or gang officer and a recovering addict or former gang member. "The goal of the program is to provide the students with as much practical information as possible about the social, legal, academic, occupational and financial consequences of high risk behaviors to which they may not otherwise have access to", states presenter Judge Peggy Chiampas who is currently assigned to the courthouse at 26^th and California. 

The program topics include the risks inherent with illegal substance use and other criminal and/or destructive behaviors often associated with young adults. An emphasis on gang involvement and gun violence is addressed as well. CPD officers will also serve as mentors for the students. 

The CPD, CPS, CCSAO, IDOC and Circuit Court of Cook County plan on bringing this program to many more CPS schools over the next year. "We want to show young people that the police are not just there to arrest people, officers can also provide assistance and advocacy; arrest is typically the last resort and a temporary remedy for a larger problem" states Superintendent Jody Weis.

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