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What is SKORE?

Supporting Kids on the Road to Excellence (SKORE) is a program offered to children between the ages of 12 to 17 years old who have committed noncriminal acts that are considered a law violation because of their status as minors (status offenses). The SKORE program gives children and youth the chance to solve behavioral issues before entering into the court system. 

SKORE is a diversion program that serves as an avenue for holding youth accountable for their behavior, empowering them to make changes in their own lives. The program is accessed through referrals by local police departments, schools, parents, and other service agencies. We provide parents and caregivers with tools, resources, and referrals to promote healthy family environments and prevent youth from entering the criminal justice system in the future. 

Families are expected to be active participants during this process. Enrolled families are given a 90-day plan and the resources necessary to resolve family issues and keep children in school, out of detention, out of court, and out of foster care. Ultimately, our goal is that children and youth turn their lives around before they reach adulthood to minimize the risk of delinquency and break cycles of abuse! 

CHINS 

According to the O.C.G.A. § 15-11-2, "a “Child in Need of Services” (CHINS) under Georgia law means a child who is in need of care, guidance, counselling, structure, supervision, treatment, or rehabilitation AND meets one of the following criteria: 

• Habitually truant from school 
• Habitually disobedient of the reasonable commands of his or her parent/guardian/legal custodian
• Runaway 
• Committed an offense applicable only to a child 
• Wanders or loiters about the streets, highway, or any public place, between the hours of 12:00 A.M and 5:00 A.M. Disobeys the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has been directed to such child, who has been adjudicated a CHINS 
• Patronized any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold, unaccompanied by his or her parent parent/guardian/legal custodian, or who possesses alcoholic beverages 
• Committed a delinquent act and is in need of supervision but not in need of treatment or rehabilitation"

Child in Need of Services (CHINS)  serves as an avenue for holding youth accountable for their behavior and empowering them to make changes in their own lives. The SKORE program falls under CHINS.