By KRWG News
Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the federal government is releasing $265,000 he helped secure in a fiscal year 2010 spending bill for a juvenile prevention and intervention program in Do a Ana County.
Funding was released to the Juvenile Assessment and Reporting Center (JARC), Prevention and Intervention Program in Las Cruces. The center serves as a central point of entry into the juvenile justice system, where it assesses juveniles who have committed a misdemeanor or non-violent felony and makes a referral to a community program designed to address the specific needs of the juvenile and his/her family.
"JARC helps keep youth out of the juvenile justice system by intervening early on to address behaviors that put them at-risk for getting into trouble. This funding will help continue this important program," Bingaman said.
The JARC will target: (1) youth arrested for a delinquent act who do not meet criteria for secure detention, and whose parent/guardian is not available to take immediate custody; and (2) youth at-risk of receiving a delinquency referral and are in need of an assessment for services.