The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Regional Youth Development Center and the Department of Juvenile Justice held its second C.H.A.M.P.S. graduation inside the RYDC (Regional Youth Development Center) in Macon on Monday May 18, 2015 at 3:00pm. Three young men and four young ladies, who are presently housed at the center, voluntarily participated in the C.H.A.M.P.S. program, completing the program. The graduates stood up and read a poem or a letter as to why they participated in the program and what they learned from it before DDJ and RYDC staff, and law enforcement gathered to watch.
C.H.A.M.P.S. stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety. The mission statement for C.H.A.M.P.S. is to provide an educational program for Georgia’s youth, which provides guidance, and skills, ability and knowledge to be safe, healthy, and happy, in preparation for a successful life. The program was founded in 2003 by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association to address these urgent challenges.
Lesson plans taught in the program includes alcohol and drug abuse, bullying, internet safety, being leaders and followers, peer pressure, gangs, graduation, home alone/child abduction safety, stress, tobacco and violence. A C.H.A.M.P.S. project is done by students to include an essay, poster contest, choices and consequences and positive alternatives. The program is taught by deputy sheriffs who have successfully completed C.H.A.M.P.S. instructor training. The program is designed to be a twelve week program and classes last approximately one hour, one day a week.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office wants to teach our juveniles that there are other alternatives and safe ways when it comes to good decision making.