The U.D.I.S. program concentrates on individual and family advocacy, weekly youth group meetings, enrichment activities, educational enhancement groups and monthly community service projects to encourage positive behavior and attitude changes as well as promote healthy lifestyle choices.

Advocacy is offered to each youth and his/her family. Advocates are available for support, advice and guidance. Advocates may also make referrals to other community resources. The youth are intensely monitored by the Advocates at home, work, school and in the community throughout their six months on the program.

Youth group meetings are held once per week and focus on topics which are relevant to the youth such as personal growth, practical living skills and vocational skills. These meetings encompass a curriculum of videos, worksheets, role plays and discussions. Group requires “hands on” participation. Homework assignments are given weekly to instill responsibility among the youth.

Enrichment activities are also held once per week and allow the youth to participate in sports and other recreational outlets and cultural activities.

Educational Enhancement Groups are also held once per week and concentrate on academic improvement. The youth utilize computer software, that focuses on math, reading and spelling skills. Each individual progresses at their own pace moving through different skill levels as they master them. We recognize school success as a strong link to keeping youth out of criminal trouble and feel this educational component will help the youth succeed in school.

Community service projects are a component of the program  that offer the youth a chance to give something back to their community.

Each participant is required to attend all scheduled group meetings, activities and community service projects for six months. 

Aftercare services are intended to provide for a smooth transition away from intensive services.  Monitoring by the advocates continue to be provided for a period of three months. During this period, the advocate will remain available to the youth and their family. The youth is no longer required to attend program activities. Contact  gradually decreases during the aftercare service period.

The U.D.I.S. program is small and intensive, serving only 10 youth at a time. The program is free of charge to the youth involved and bus tickets are provided for transportation to and from meetings and activities.

U.D.I.S. is open to youth aged 12 to 17 residing in Rock Island County who have been twice adjudicated delinquent and/or have committed an offense serious enough to warrant placement in the Illinois Department of Corrections, Juvenile Division.

All referrals are made by the Rock Island County Juvenile Court Services Department and every youth in the program is court ordered to comply with the program. No outside referrals are accepted.

Services are offered without regard to race, gender, national origin, disability, religious affiliation, or socio-economic status.

The U.D.I.S. program is the only intensive community-based advocacy program serving adjudicated youth in Rock Island County.  It provides the opportunity for the referred youth to remain in the community, reside at home, attend school and maintain employment. 

The goal of the program is to:

• intervene and prevent further involvement in the juvenile justice system 

• promote self-esteem and positive decision-making skills 

• develop life skills that will empower them to overcome future challenges

• replace criminal behavior with more appropriate and socially acceptable behavior

The importance of school, employment and   success are emphasized with the youth and their families as they learn to accept responsibility for their actions.

The Unified Delinquency Intervention Services program began in 1978 under the Illinois Department of Corrections as a "last chance" effort to keep delinquent youth in the community and out of further criminal involvement.

In 1982, the program was diverted from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Children and Family Services. In 1997, the Illinois Department of Human Services gained ownership of the U.D.I.S. program. Since 1982, the Rock Island County U.D.I.S. program has been housed within the Child Abuse Council.