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 Push to expand program that keeps kids out of jail

Montpelier, Vermont - April 20, 2010

Kimberly Lawrence says after she ran into trouble with the law, her 11-year-old son became angry and depressed and even tried to kill himself. Then she learned about a program that helps kids whose parents have been in jail.

"We started the program, we started snowshoeing... Dylan started being more cheerful, more happy. His anger wasn't as severe," Lawrence said.

Officials say kids of parents with legal problems are at a higher risk to get into trouble themselves. The Community Justice Project in Lamoille County, known as CJP, focuses on prevention. It offers after-school classes on things like teaching healthy eating. Kids are also matched with mentors, given mental health counseling, and taught to give back to their communities. Fifty kids are enrolled at a cost of $3,500 each.

Seven years into the program there's new data about its impact

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