Judge Kay has worked hard to provide young adult drug and alcohol offenders with the opportunity to participate in the local "Your Choice" diversionary program and/or any other diversionary program of the young adults choosing while overseeing five area high schools: Arrowhead, Kettle Moraine, Lake Country Lutheran, Oconomowoc and Sussex.
In May of 2013, the Lake Country Municipal Court began utilizing another tool when working with youth under the age of 21 regarding drinking and/or drug violations. This program (Your Choice - more info below) is open to all youth under the age of 21. Youth who are at risk may utilize this program on their own without any involvement with the court. This may be a first step for parents when there is concern about their children using alcohol and/or drugs.
Judge Kay supports all diversionary programs. He however, really likes the "Your Choice" program because it is managed locally (in Hartland) and it offers a cost-effective option for families. The "Your Choice" program is also effectively coordinated (i.e. programing is offered at night and after school so that young offenders and their parents can attend together.)
Key findings from the 2015 Detour Annual Report are below.
48% of the "Your Choice" Program participants in 2015 were referred by the Lake Country Municipal Court and Judge Kay.
The Chart above highlights what the "Youth" Program Participants thought of the program - 91% said that class was not a waste of time!
The 2015 Detour Annual Report (click to download the entire report)
Local Program helping young offenders from the Lake Country Municipal Court
Mission:
Your Choice-Live is a drug and alcohol awareness program for our youth, presented by young adults who share their personal experience with the choices they each made regarding drugs and alcohol during their own school days. Some of our young speakers made a personal choice to stay out of harm's way at a time when just saying no seemed almost impossible. Some of our speakers found themselves trapped in a cycle of addiction. Our mission is to reach our youth before the drugs do with the knowledge and skills to make the best choice, and the resolve to remain substance free.
Goals:
1) Raise awareness about drugs and alcohol to our youth, parents and the community by educating all community members of the risks of drug and alcohol and to help them work together.
2) Remove barriers to openly discuss the issues of drugs and alcohol and the devastating effects they can have on young people and their families.
3) Restructure resources offering a variety of support, education, counseling and treatment.
Your Choice Program Administrator Endorses Judge Kay for Re-election
Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter to share with you and the Lake Country community why I am supporting Judge Timothy Kay for re-election to the Lake Country Municipal Court. Over the last four years Judge Kay has implemented an alternative sentencing program for youth under the age of 21, who have drinking or drug citations. The Lake Country Municipal Court implemented the “Your Choice to Live Program” in May of 2013, under the leadership of Judge Kay. The goal of the program is to help each participant reduce the risk of developing an alcohol or drug problem and to focus on self-assessments which can help youth understand and accept the need to make changes in their lives. Allowing families to utilize the “Your Choice to Live Program” has been an incredible addition to our local municipal court.
As the administrator and instructor of the Your Choice to Live DETOUR program, Judge Kay has gone above and beyond to help young people turn their lives around. With the drug epidemic that we are facing today, giving a minor a ticket without education is not going to stop kids from using. Youth and parents need education and that is what DETOUR provides; education that youth and families so desperately need.
Without the strong support of Judge Kay, these young people would wind up in jail, homeless or even worse, dead. By intervening with education at the first sign of trouble, these kids still have a chance to turn their life around. And kids who do have a problem can get additional help if needed.
Parents are also mandated to attend a parent night where they learn information on signs and symptoms, drug trends and resources on where to go for additional help. This is crucial. Often times parents don’t know what to look for or where to go. They often feel alone and have no one to talk to. This parent night gives them an opportunity to ask questions and learn more.
Please join me in supporting Judge Tim Kay for re-election to the Lake Country Municipal Court on Tuesday April 5th, 2016. Judge Kay has experience I can trust!
Sincerely Yours,
Ashleigh Nowakowski
Hartland, WI
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