The H.O.P.E. Academy

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The H.O.P.E. Academy(Helping Others Pursue Excellence) is a long term secure residential program on the campus of Smith County Juvenile Services that focuses on male juvenile offenders. H.O.P.E. Academy started on February 17, 2015 with 8 residents. The goal is to provide residents with a safe, secure, nurturing atmosphere in which they will reflect on past activities, make positive changes in their thinking and behavior, and return to the community as a contributing member. The H.O.P.E. Academy is also equipped with 3 fully functioning vocational shops that teach Building Trades, Auto Mechanics and Metal Fabrication. Residents advance through "phases" of the program whereby each advanced phase allows for more freedoms and responsibilities. The three main objectives of the program is to assess and provide mental health services to the resident and family, assess educational aptitudes and provide any necessary tutoring or training to ensure educational success and to assess and train each resident in one or more of the particular vocational trades listed. SCJS services started the first H.O.P.E. Academy class in 2015 and 90% of the residents completed the 9 month program.