SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS (SOS)

The SOS program is designed to create supportive after-school experiences that have a positive impact on the lives of school-aged children. SOS is fundamentally preventive. It is based on the premise that many "bad things" that happen to teens occur because attractive opportunities are not available after school, negative associations are often formed, and exploration is not properly channeled. SOS is part of Governor Hunt’s crime prevention efforts. The goals of the program are clearly spelled out:

• Reduce juvenile crime in local communities served by the program;
• Recruit community volunteers to provide positive adult role models for school-aged children and to help supervise after-school activities;
• Reduce the number of students who are unsupervised after school, otherwise known as "latchkey" children;
• Improve the academic performance of children participating in the program;
• Meet the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs of students participating in the program and improve their attitudes and behavior; and
• Improve coordination of existing resources and enhance collaboration so as to provide services to school-aged children effectively and efficiently.