Cleveland receives $1M to help save at-risk kids from tumbling down ruinous path

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The city of Cleveland received almost $1 million to reduce juvenile-related crimes.

The formula behind the initiative? Bringing the whole family in for help.

“The earlier you can intervene when someone has committed a crime, the more likely you are in helping that person turn their lives around,” said Mark Singer, professor at Case Western Reserve University.

“If we make them accountable for what they did, then we have a much better chance of reaching them when they get to be 13, 14, 15, 16,” said Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Denise Rini.

The program will take 9- 13 -year-olds, who have committed aggravated robberies, domestic violence and other crimes, and try to get them into specialized counseling.

“If we make them accountable for what they did, then we have a much better chance of reaching them when they get to be 13, 14, 15, 16,” said Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Denise Rini.

Rini is hoping to see the impact in her courtroom. Singer says part of the money will pay for additional training for police when they come into contact with at-risk youth.

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