The Community Accountability Program for Stratford Students (CAPSS) is a community-based diversion process that is an alternative response to a crime or wrongdoings perpetrated by youth and serves as an opportunity to reduce youth involvement with the juvenile justice system. Juvenile Court, Police or School may refer eligible youth to the CAPSS or a community-based or school-based arrest (delinquent offense) and/or a Family With Service Needs ("FWSN"- status offense) such as truancy, indecent or immoral conduct and defiance of school rules. 

The CAPSS collaborates with the youth and their families to design a restorative action plan that emphasizes accountability, responsibility and repairing the harm done to people and relationships. The CAPSS plan consists of a combination of formal and informal responses to address the referral matter, as well as, identifying the needs of youth and their families to recommend services and supports to increase skills for future success. Finally, the CAPSS assists the youth and family to strengthen competencies and knowledge of resources in education and for prevention to reinforce the building blocks of youth development.

CAPSS CASE* ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The CAPSS accepts referrals from Juvenile Court, Police or School for delinquency or status offenses committed in the Town of Stratford or any municipality by an un-emancipated person who is at least 10 years old and under the age of 18 who resides in Stratford.

• Youth must be a current Stratford resident

• Ages 10-17

• Youth admits responsibility

• Youth not currently on probation or administrative supervision

• Parent/Legal Guardian agree to JRB participation and involvement 

• Youth case* is:
   - Non-felony community-based arrest
   - Non-felony school-based arrest
   - Family With Service Needs (FWSN) including truancy, defiance of school rules, indecent or immoral conduct

*Referral cases are subject to review by CAPSS Case Manager

Please click link below for CAPSS process information:

• Stratford JRB Process Overview Form

CAPSS REFERRAL FORMS (DOWNLOAD PDF):

• Police & Juvenile Court Referral Form

• School Administrators: School Referral Form to Stratford JRB

Please contact us with any questions:
Stratford Community Services
Birdseye Municipal Complex
468 Birdseye Street, First Floor
Stratford, CT 06615
Phone: 203-385-4095
Fax: 203-381-2064

Stratford JRB Administrator: Maura Brennan, LMSW, CAPSS Manager
(Email Maura Brennan)

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