LEGAL AWARENESS SUPPORT
When Choices Lead to Legal Consequences
Helping youth understand consequences, take accountability, and make better choices moving forward.
When a young person begins getting into trouble with the law, early intervention can make a difference. CYS helps youth and families address the behaviors, circumstances, and decisions that may be contributing to legal involvement before those patterns become more serious.
More Than Understanding the Law
Legal awareness isn’t just about teaching youth what can happen when they break the law. It’s about helping them understand why they are making certain choices, how those choices affect themselves and others, and what they can do differently moving forward.
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ACCOUNTABILITY
Understanding choices, consequences, and personal responsibility.
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DECISION-MAKING
Recognizing situations that can lead to risky or illegal behavior.
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EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Explore how stress, mental health, relationships, and peer pressure can influence choices and behavior.
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MOVE FORWARD
Developing practical strategies to make healthier choices and avoid repeated behavior.
From Education to Individualized Support
For many years, CYS offered Decisions, a standalone legal awareness program that helped youth understand choices, consequences, anger management, violence prevention, and the legal system.
Today, we’ve incorporated these important concepts into Pathways therapy, allowing us to go beyond education and address the individual circumstances behind a young person’s behavior.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all program, youth receive support based on what is actually happening in their lives—helping them understand their choices, take accountability, and develop healthier ways to move forward.
What Legal Awareness Support Can Address
Our therapy-based approach can help youth work through a variety of behaviors and situations while building greater awareness, accountability, and healthier decision-making.
Anger & Conflict • Theft & Property Offenses • Fighting & Violence • Vandalism • Substance-Related Incidents • Peer Pressure • Repeated Rule-Breaking • Poor Decision-Making • Family Conflict • School & Community Incidents
FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
Is Your Teen Getting Into Trouble?
You don’t have to wait for things to become more serious. If your teen has been cited, involved with law enforcement, suspended because of an incident, or you’re concerned about the choices they’re making, CYS can help.
Through individualized therapy, we help youth understand their choices, take accountability, and build the skills to make healthier decisions moving forward.
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT & REFERRAL PARTNERS
Looking for a Referral Option?
CYS partners with law enforcement, schools, and community agencies to provide early intervention for youth who may be starting to experience legal or behavioral consequences.
Through individualized therapy, youth can work on accountability, decision-making, anger and conflict, substance use, and other factors contributing to their behavior.
Support Doesn’t Stop There
Sometimes legal involvement is only one piece of what’s happening. CYS can connect youth and families with additional services based on their individual needs.
Pathways Therapy • JADE • Drug Testing • In the CLEAR • Group Therapy • Alternative to Suspension
Our goal is to help families address the bigger picture and connect youth with the support they need to move forward.
Concerned About the Choices Your Teen Is Making?
Early support can help youth understand what happened, take responsibility, and develop the skills to make different choices moving forward.