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. Throughout the program, youth are expected to abstain from alcohol/other drug use; random urine drug screens are administered to monitor abstinence.
Level 3 – Getting Back on Track uses evidence-based practices to help youth get back on track and keep moving forward with abstinence, while at the same time preparing them to deal with other obstacles they will be facing as they move forward.
Random Urine Drug Screens are available to parents who are concerned their child may be involved in the use of illicit substances; random urine drug screens are administered to monitor abstinence.
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 tested positive on the random urine drug screens administered through the Culpeper County Public School’s Athletic Department. The student athlete testing positive is referred to OPTIONS for a substance abuse assessment and three (3) hours of community service work. The student athlete is to successfully complete a Brief Intervention Program 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
Voices is a program for young women to be able to find and celebrate their “true selves”. The program advocates a strength-based approach in helping young women identify and apply their power and voices as individuals and as a group. The focus of the group is on issues that are important in the lives of young women. The modules of the program 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 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.
Worksites
- County Landfill
- Culpeper County Environmental Services
- Culpeper County Parks & Recreation
- Town of Culpeper Public Works
- Pearl Sample Elementary School
- MANA Ministry Free Lunch Service
- USDA Food Distribution at Culpeper United Methodist Church
Special Events
- Culpeper Farm Tour
- Candlelight Vigil
- Century Cycling
- Culpeper Air Fest
- Soap Box Derby
Back To Nature
This is a county program designed to integrate youth ages 11-17 years old into outdoor activities that promote nature: blue bird house building and installation, owl/kestrel nesting box building and installation; planting, nurturing and harvesting vegetables from the raised bed garden, with all harvested vegetables to be donated to the local food bank.
