PLUS+ provides an alternative to detention for males and females, ages 11-18 charged with minor or status offenses, and delinquency prevention for at-risk minority youth. The program is a result of a partnership between the LFUCG Division of Youth Services and the Brenda Cowan Coalition for KY., Inc. PLUS+ is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
PLUS+ provides intensive after-school services 5 days per week for 8 weeks to youth referred by social workers, court designated workers, counselors, probation officers, and school personnel. PLUS+ strives to minimize problems caused for juveniles who have come into contact with the courts.
Advantages of PLUS+
Gives the courts options: PLUS+ provides an option that is available when all other alternatives have failed – it gives the court “a last resort”.
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Easy on taxpayers: Taking care of kids is not cheap, but compared to the usual institutional placements or detention, PLUS+ is a bargain for taxpayers who foot the bill. $1000 per child for eight weeks.
Parental involvement: Awards nights, parent meetings, and weekly progress reports build bridges between participants and their parents.
Evening programming: PLUS+ meets after school during the hours when kids are most likely to get into trouble. PLUS+ gives them a safe place to go during the times that are normally unscheduled.
Tutoring: While in the program, PLUS+ participants have a chance to get homework done and receive help from staff when they need it.
Fun! : PLUS+ provides fun yet challenging activities for youth that aim to help them develop skills which will enhance their capacity to solve problems, make decisions, and learn.
PLUS+ Curriculum
The PLUS+ program was designed to provide youth with skills which will enhance their capacity to learn throughout their lives. It is a combination of small group interaction, one-to-one counseling, teamwork, and general group dynamics.
- Self-esteem Building
- Independent Living Skills
- High Adventure
- Community Service Work
- Career Exploration
- Team Challenges
- Self-Expression
- Journal Writing
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Community Recreation
- Inner Discipline & Self Control
Community Partners
PLUS+ relies on its community partners to help maintain quality services to PLUS+ either at reduced cost or free of charge.
- LFUCG Division of Youth Services
- Fayette County Public Schools
- Comprehensive Care
- Partners for Youth
- Living Arts & Science Center
- Life Adventure Camp
- Lexington Children’s’ Theater
- Salvation Army
- Fayette County Health Department
- AIDS Volunteers of Lexington
- University of KY Art Department
- Arts Power
- Youth for Christ
- Urban Youth
Contact Information/Directions
For more information contact:
Michael Reese, PLUS+ Project Director at the Phillis Wheatly Center
Phone: (859) 254-3789; Fax: (859) 254-8946
email: mreese.bcc@gmail.com
