In the moments after a heated family conflict, space and support can make all the difference. At the SOAR Center, youth who are transported to the Juvenile Detention Center by police for matters that would be misdemeanors and don’t require continuous secure placement, are given that opportunity through a structured “cooling off” period designed to de-escalate tensions and promote healthier outcomes. SOAR stands for Support, Outreach, Assistance, and Restoration for Families.
Serving primarily cases stemming from domestic conflicts between a juvenile and a parent, guardian, or sibling, SOAR provides a critical intervention point focused on stabilization, accountability, and family restoration.
“We need to engage youth in pro-social and positive activities,” said Juvenile Probation Supervisor Enith Tellez. “When youth come to the SOAR Center, first and foremost, they have real conversations with officers. The youth can talk about and process what happened leading to the police being called and the decision not to allow the youth to stay home. This engagement also allows the parent time to safely reassess the event, allow emotions to calm, and begin exploring and considering supportive resources. Absent this program, parents might be obligated to take immediate custody of their child.”
Participating youth are demonstrating the power of early and meaningful intervention. Youth consistently engage in positive, constructive interactions with staff, openly sharing their perspectives on the events, and begin to share underlying stressors that influenced their behavior. Many youths show significant insight into their actions and a willingness to engage in thoughtful, solution-focused discussions aimed at long-term change.
A key component of the SOAR Program is the Youth Safety Plan, developed collaboratively between the juvenile and the SOAR officer. This individualized plan encourages accountability by helping youth identify emotions, triggers, and situations that may contribute to poor decision-making, particularly within the home environment. By recognizing these patterns, youth are better equipped with strategies to make safer, more informed decisions.
To strengthen family involvement, each Youth Safety Plan is reviewed with parents or guardians at the time of pickup. This ensures families have a clear understanding of the identified triggers and coping strategies, fostering continued support and communications beyond the program and helping to create a more stable and positive home environment. Families are also encouraged to connect with the community resources coordinator, who can aid in accessing community resources.
“We have a database with a list of community service centers and different mentorship services available in the community where we can refer families to,” said Tellez. “It’s just a very different engagement than what most families or kids expect to receive from our officers.”
The program is an important additional component that supports youth who may be eligible to have their matter diverted from formal court proceedings, which allows for quicker resolution and engagement in appropriate services.