JAWS Program

Program Description

Developed in 1995, The Chemung County Juvenile Assigned Work Service Program (JAWS) is designed to give consequences to and prevent further involvement or placement of youth ages 7 to 17 currently involved in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System or the Child Welfare System. The Chemung County Department of Youth Bureau and Recreational Services JAWS Program provides a safe, supervised, structured environment in which youth can perform their assigned community service.

Referral Process

Referrals received for the JAWS Program are made possible through the collaborative effort between the Chemung County Department of Youth Bureau and Recreational Services and the following referral sources: the Chemung County Family Court System, Chemung County Probation Department, Chemung County Children's Integrated Services, and added in 2010, the Glove House Evening Support Center. The referring agency assigns the number of days and time frame in which the days of community service are expected to be completed.

Work Service Projects

Scheduled each Saturday, typically no more than ten youth work directly under the constant supervision of two paid supervisors. All Program Supervisors are certified in CPR and First Aid and have educational backgrounds including but not limited to Human Services, Criminal Justice, and Education. The Program Coordinator is on call while the program is in operation and completes on-site monitoring visits throughout the year.

Work service projects cater to the needs of the scheduled not-for-profit agency, organization, or municipality that comply with NYS Labor Law guidelines for minors. Work service projects are typically scheduled for Saturdays between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. Work service projects are scheduled throughout the entire year with the exception of major holiday weekends.

Services

Services may include:

• Basic landscaping of grounds
• Brush removal
• Building maintenance and outdoor raking
• Garbage removal
• General indoor cleaning
• Organization

Program Facts & Highlights

Funding for the JAWS Program is provided by the County of Chemung, Chemung County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Safe, reliable transportation of program staff and participants to and from work sites is provided through a long-standing partnership with the Elmira Psychiatric Center and the Chemung County Department of Youth Bureau and Recreational Services.

In a given year, on average, the JAWS program provides a total cost savings of approximately $12,000 to the community in cleaning, maintenance, and service expenses. The JAWS Program welcomes opportunities for not-for-profit agencies and organizations to become new worksites on a continual basis. On average, 95% of program participants report a sense of accountability and responsibility for their actions upon the completion of their community service hours through the JAWS Program.