Reclaiming Futures is a new approach to help teenagers caught in the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime. The mission of Reclaiming Futures, a five-year, $21 million initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is to promote new opportunities and standards of care in juvenile justice; to develop judicial and community leadership; to offer training and technical assistance; and to disseminate research findings. Montgomery County, Ohio is one of only ten communities nationwide selected to participate in this national project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Need is Real:

• 8,412 young people were referred to Montgomery County Juvenile Court for criminal acts in 2005.
• Of these, more than half were in need of substance abuse and/or mental health treatment.
• 35 percent were under age 15.
• 3,284 were girls.
• The youngest children were six years of age.
• For the cost of incarcerating one person for one year, we can provide treatment for between 3 and 13 teens every year.
• Allowing one youth to leave high school for a life of crime and drug abuse costs society up to $2.3 million.

More Treatment. Better Treatment. More Than Treatment.
Despite efforts to get drug and alcohol treatment to youth who need it, estimates suggest that fewer than ten percent of youth who appear to need treatment ever get it. Reclaiming Futures offers a team approach to breaking the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime. The Reclaiming Futures care team typically includes the teenager, family members, probation officer, treatment counselor and community members who serve as mentors.

Treatment is tailored to the child’s gender, age, family culture and unique needs. Teachers, employers, mentors, faith-based groups and others help teens do better at school, get a job, volunteer for community service, develop new friendships and find positive social and recreational outlets.

Community Support Is Key.
Reclaiming Futures provides teens with positive role models, healthy activities and hope for the future. Here’s how you can help:

Become a Natural Helper. Join the dozens of business, religious and community volunteers who are specially trained and carefully matched to support youth and their families during their juvenile justice and substance abuse treatment programs. Natural Helpers are ready with advice, support and encouragement to help youth overcome challenges and build on their strengths.
Make A Donation. Some businesses and individuals pay for tickets to movies, bowling or provide other incentives and rewards for teens who are meeting their goals. To learn more or to donate, call 497-6877.
Help Them Give Back. Many teens are eager to volunteer in our community. Community and faith-based groups can help teens get involved in community service projects that allow them to help others and build their self-esteem. To learn more, call 497-6877.

Our Successes.

• A continuing community-wide effort to link volunteer Natural Helpers who share mutual strengths, interests, skills and abilities.

• 104 youth served since January 2005.
• Worked with an organization serving only adults to expand its services to include youth, which increased care for local teens with substance abuse problems by nearly 300%. The program is now serving more than 100 young people.
• Improved family involvement in court sessions, school conferences, parenting support and the teen’s treatment.
• Reduced by more than seven days the time between when a young person with a substance abuse problem is assessed and when s/he starts treatment.

Collaboration.
The work of Reclaiming Futures—Montgomery County is a collaborative effort guided by judicial, justice, treatment, and community professionals. They include:

Judicial Fellows
Judge Nick Kuntz, Administrative Judge
Montgomery County Juvenile Court

Judge Anthony Capizzi
Montgomery County Juvenile Court

Justice Fellow
Eric Shafer, Probation Director
Montgomery County Juvenile Court

Beverly K. Jones-Arthur, Behavioral Health Services Director
Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board for Montgomery County

Community Fellow
Roma Stephens, Program Supervisor
City of Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services

Program Director Fellow
Charlotte McGuire, Project Director
Reclaiming Futures—Montgomery County

Our Partners.
Camp Fire Boys and Girls
Center for Alcohol and Drug Addition Services
City of Dayton Parks, Recreation and Culture Department
Dayton Urban League
Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board
Montgomery County Mentoring Collaborative
Montgomery County Natural Helper Volunteers
Montgomery County Youth Council
Mount Cavalry Baptist Church
Samaritan Behavioral Health Inc./Samaritan Crisis Center
United Way of Greater Dayton Area
Wallace Foundation