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The Cecil County Neighborhood Youth Panel (NYP) is a juvenile diversion program, which gives first-time juvenile misdemeanor offenders the option of appearing before a panel of community volunteers rather than entering the juvenile court system. The NYP is coordinated through the Town of Rising Sun, and gives the community the opportunity to be directly involved in the process of Balanced and Restorative Justice by determining sanctions for youth offenders, monitoring sanction compliance and assisting in reparation of the victim. The NYP has successfully created an environment where the community and law enforcement agency interact in a program designed to address the many aspects of the youth's life; home, social, and community. The program provides immediate intervention with first time juvenile offenders and diverts them from entering the juvenile justice system.
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| The Town of Rising Sun is located in Cecil County just south of the Pennsylvania line, about 18 miles west of the Delaware line. Incorporated in 1860, Rising Sun is a progressive, small town of 1,200 and the business hub of a close-knit, thriving community. Dawn Rodenbaugh, NYP Coordinator, has successfully administered the Neighborhood Youth Panel Program since its' inception in November of 2000. She has developed a strong relationship with Cecil County Government, Rising Sun Town Officials, Rising Sun Police Department, as well as, the Juvenile Services Department in Cecil County. The success of this program has led to the County seeking expansion to the Town of Elkton and the Town of North East. We received a planning grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in FY08 and funding for FY09 to implement two new programs; one in each of the municipalities. Ms. Rodenbaugh will continue coordinating the Rising Sun Program and will have the additional responsibility of training and supervising two new part time employees and oversee the new programs in each of the towns.
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