Judge Thomas Adams Introduced Teen Court to SB

Program Name: Santa Barbara Teen Court—Santa Barbara, CA Submitted by: Eduardo F. Cue, Teen Court Project Director Santa Barbara Teen Court has been in existence since 1992. Superior Court Judge Thomas Adams introduced Teen Court to the City of Santa Barbara as an innovative approach to the juvenile justice system. He stated “Teen Court…puts an end to the “revolving door” and empowers our young people to take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their peers”. Twelve years have passed and 3,500 cases have been processed through Teen Court in Santa Barbara County. In 1998 Teen Court found a new home with the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA). Since then the program was replicated in the communities of Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and Santa Maria. Through the leadership of CADA Executive Director Penny Jenkins, Teen Court has grown to become a leader of intervention services associated with the juvenile justice process in Santa Barbara County. In 2001 Teen Court adapted the “peer review” process to deal with early offenders referred by school administrators from educational code offenses. The purpose of the program is to keep kids in school, by providing interventions “in lieu of suspension” for students who otherwise are put on the streets. We continue to strive towards innovative approaches to help our youth and families contend with delinquency and addiction. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency reviewed papers submitted by intervention programs from across the nation. The Prevention & and Education Awards Review Committee selected the “Santa Barbara Teen Court” program to receive the 2004 Prevention and Education Commendation. The award will be presented on September 10, 2004 in Washington DC. For more on Santa Barbara Teen Court see our website at www.cadasb.org. Source: http://www.youthcourt.net/12-month_campaign/2004_YC_Month/Success_Santa_Barbara.htm