The need for earlier intervention for kids at risk for Juvenile Justice System involvement is increasingly apparent.

The Anger Management program is a direct offshoot from the Juvenile Offender Outreach Program (JOOP). The Anger Management Project has two components: one which is geared for middle school students who have a history of aggressive, disrespectful and general exceptionally rebellious behaviors and one on Wednesday evening open to a broader spectrum of age groups.

The curriculum is designed to help the participants realize that their behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable. The hope is to redirect participants' attitudes, approaches, and methods of dealing with circumstances in which they may find themselves. The program features key elements of the Phoenix Anger Management Curriculum, while also promoting the development of emotional intelligence, critical interpersonal and communication skills, conflict resolution, and anti-violence skills. Additionally, gang awareness and alternatives, as well as methods for coping with peer pressure are covered. Much like the JOOP program a positive direction is stressed and encouraged. Students enrolled have been referred by school officials and/or juvenile justice personnel and have a record of suspendible offenses.

This program and curriculum are based upon the successes PEI Kids has attained through 3 years of facilitating the pilot middle school component at the Hedgepeth Williams Middle School in the city of Trenton and 11 years of running the Juvenile Offenders Outreach Program.

During the 2005-06 school year the Trenton School District funded the program's operation in the Martin Luther King Middle School, Dunn Middle School and Sherman Avenue Alternative School. Teachers at the school where the program is operating have noted distinct changes in behavior of the students participating in the Anger Management Project.

The Wednesday evening program takes place at the Sam Naples Community Center in Trenton. PEI Kids also collaborates with the City of Trenton’s Parks and Recreation Department to enroll program participants directly in the SCOOP Program. The SCOOP Program offers a myriad of after school educational and recreational activities for youth. With enrollment in SCOOP, transportation to the AM/VP Program is available for all participants residing in Trenton.

* The average age of juvenile offenders in Mercer County has dropped from 16 to 13.5 in the last five years.

* During the 2005-06 school year, 110 students participated in the program.

* The program is 12 weeks in duration and meets two times a week for one hour.

* In Mercer County, arrests for violent crimes have increased by 12%.