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Contact Information

Services

Skills Streaming

HISTORY

OPTIONS was established in 1994 and was designed to serve youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System. In 1997, OPTIONS made the transition from state to local funding. Over the past several years, OPTIONS has implemented evidence-based programs designed to serve youth involved in risky behaviors at home, at school, or in the community, while encouraging them to be productive, respectful, and responsible members of the community.

OPTIONS receives referrals from parents, Culpeper County Schools, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Culpeper County, Juvenile Probation, Culpeper County Sheriff’s Department, Culpeper Town Police, Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) of Culpeper County. In addition, OPTIONS works with Culpeper County Human Resources and Behavioral Health of Culpeper County.

YOUTH ASSESSMENT & SCREENING INSTRUMENT (YASI)

This instrument is used to assess risk and protective risk factors or strengths in ten (10) domains, that are both Static (historical and unchangeable) and Dynamic (changeable) in nature. They include Legal History, Family, School, Community/Peers, Alcohol/Drugs, Mental Health, Violence/ Aggression, Attitudes, Skills, Use of Free Time/Employment.  The results of the assessment are then utilized to identify the programs that best meet the needs of each individual youth.

Services Currently Offered

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM

This program is designed to teach coping strategies as an alternative to using alcohol or other drugs when responding to problems, interpersonal conflicts or negative thoughts and feelings.  This is a two-level program; each level is a separate evidence-based program. An initial assessment is completed using a Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory A-3 (SASSI A-3) to determine a youth’s needs.  This is a screening instrument used to identify whether youth between 12-17 years of age, have a high or low probability of being clinically diagnosed with a substance use disorder.  It also provides insight into family and social risk factors, level of defensive responding, and consequences of substance misuse teens endorse.

Level 1 – Brief Intervention (Marijuana Journal) uses evidence-based practices that helps youth engage in the process of self-change. It is a journal designed to assist youth in considering their use of cannabis and what they choose to do about it in the future. Precedes Level 2.  Throughout the program, youth are expected to abstain from alcohol/other drug use; random urine drug screens are administered to monitor abstinence.
   

Level 2 – Alternatives uses evidence-based practices that helps the youth learn accurate information about the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the mind, body, and behavior; identify high-risk situations associated with alcohol and other drug use; and the consequences associated with their use of alcohol or other drugs. Throughout the program, youth are expected to abstain from alcohol/other drug use; random urine drug screens are administered to monitor abstinence.

Random Urine Drug Screens are available to parents who are concerned their child may be involved in the use of illicit substances.

INTERVENTION for NICOTINE DEPENDENCE: EDUCATION, PREVENTION, TOBACCO and HEALTH - INDEPTH

American Lung Association’s program geared toward youth and focused on tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives and making the change to be free of all tobacco products.

STUDENT ATHLETE PROGRAM

This is a county program for student athletes who have tested positive on the random urine drug screens administered through the High School’s Athletic Department. The student athlete testing positive is referred to OPTIONS for a substance abuse assessment and ten (10) hours of community service work.  The student athlete is to successfully complete a 3-session Brief Intervention Program and pass a lab urine drug screen within thirty (30) days of the referral.

SKILLS STREAMING 

This is an evidence-based cognitive behavior intervention program that teaches pro-social skills necessary to work as part of a team, make good decisions, communicate well with others, and skills needed to solve problems that occur in their daily lives.  This program is being implemented for middle school youth.  This is completed by using a four-part training approach; modeling, role-playing, performance feedback, & generalization.  Skills can be geared specifically to address a youth’s identified needs.

DECISION POINTS PROGRAM 

This is a revolving five (5) session open-entry evidence-based cognitive behavior intervention program designed to equip youth participants with alternative ways to examine their thinking and the related actions that lead them into trouble.  It creates a practical pathway for change and challenges youth to create alternative non-risk thoughts.

PRE-TRUANCY PROGRAM

Evidence-based program designed to help youth look at how they are preparing themselves for the future.  The program helps youth identify resources that will help them finish school, understand how success in school will transfer to success in work; attain skills to succeed in work and school; create a vision for their future; and see how what they do today affects their future.

HEALTHY YOUTH INITIATIVE PROGRAM

This is a county program designed to provide opportunities for youth ages 11-17 years old to get involved in physical activity. Youth are transported to Culpeper Sport and Wellness Center to participate in a one (1) hour work out session with Certified Personal Trainer.  The exercises consist of cardio exercises, weight lifting, core exercises, or other exercises.  The program has the capacity for youth to go twice a week.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM 

This is a county program where work is performed for the benefit of the community through a non-profit organization(s) with a goal to teach youth empathy, social skills, problem solving skills, labor skills, and how to give back to their community in a voluntarily or unpaid effort. OPTIONS staff supervises youth (directly or through approved worksite supervisors) who have been required to complete community services by local referral source or by parents, especially during the time their child may be suspended from school.  Community service work is completed during non-school hours, weekend, and summer hours.  OPTIONS also provides’ opportunities to complete community service work hours needed for certain school classes.