Services
Substance Misuse 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 three-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 help 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.
Level 3 – Getting Back on Track uses evidence-based practices to help inform youth of effects of alcohol and marijuana on mind and body; also, how it effects a person's ability to drive.
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. A urine screen for cotinine (nicotine metabolite) is administered during the program
Student Athlete Program
This is a county program for student athletes who have Student Athlete Pledge by tested positive on the random
urine drug screens administered through the High School's Athletic Departmentor being in possession of an illegal substance. The student athlete is referred to OPTIONS for a substance abuse assessment and five (5) hours of community service work.
The student athlete is to successfully complete a Brief Intervention Program (Alternatives) and pass a lab urine drug screen within thirty (30) days of the referral.
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.
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.
Voices
Program is designed to encourage girls to seek and celebrate their "true selves" by providing safe space, encouragement, structure, and the support they need to embrace their journeys of self-discovery through interactive journaling. The modules focus on self, connecting with others, healthy living, and the journey ahead.
A Young Mans Guide To Self-Mastery
Program designed help participants understand the effects of adversity and trauma in their lives, develop healthy senses of themselves, understand their emotions, increase their communication skills, better understand their sexual and gender identities, and build healthy relationships.
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 Path Recreation and Fitness Center to participate in a one (1) hour work out session with Certified Personal Trainer. The exercises consist of cardia 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) 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.
Worksites
- County Landfill
- Culpeper County Parks & Recreation
- Culpeper County Animal Shelter
- Culpeper County Airport
- Culpeper Renaissance
- Town of Culpeper Public Works
- Pearl Sample Elementary School
Special Events
- Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour
- Candle Light Vigil
- Culpeper Air Fest
- Oyster Fest
- MANNA
- Empowering Culpeper
Back To Nature
This is a county program designed to integrate youth into outdoor activities that promote nature: blue bird house building and installation, owl/kestrel nesting box building and installation. Also includes planting, nurturing, and harvesting vegetable plants in the raised beds at OPTIONS; produce will be donated to the local food bank for distribution.
