CIVICS BASED ONLINE MANDATED EDUCATION

Cultivating Active Citizens One Community at a Time

The Challenge 

Even though many of the current education approaches available to the courts are evidence-based, they have proven mostly ineffective in helping young adults change their behaviors. Too many young adults do not retain and implement the skills needed to avoid past mistakes that landed them in trouble with the legal system in the first place. Why is this? At Civics Academy, we believe that these options or “bricks” lack the “mortar” to hold them together and give them meaning. The "mortar" is the connectedness to one another and their community. There are many reasons offenders end up in a judicial revolving door, but the lack of civic connectedness is one of the primary reasons they struggle to thrive. The lack of an understanding of the world in which they live - a world of freedom that depends on responsibility and an understanding of the social contract - promotes maladaptive behaviors/choices that perpetuate negative emotional responses, which in turn creates more poor choices, thus the revolving door. 

The Response

With support from the University of Georgia and local judicial systems, Civics Academy developed an approach that gives young offenders a second chance with new innovative programs focused on increasing awareness. Our signature cognitive-behavioral, civics-based curriculum - in English and Spanish -  exposes participants to the "mortar" that is missing. Civics Academy seeks to break the recidivism cycle while assisting participants in developing positive coping skills, encouraging education completion/gainful employment, and becoming productive assets within their communities. 

Why Use Civics Academy

AFFORDABLE

At Civics Academy, we realize that participants often face hefty fines and fees. To increase participation and completion, we have reduced our classes’ cost to a very affordable level and offer flexible payment options.

ACCESSIBLE

Other programs are held inconsistently, in locations not easily accessible, and lack language alternatives, thus decreasing completion and recidivism rates. At Civics Academy, our programs are available in all 50 states, participants have 24/7 access to course participation via smartphone, tablet, or computer, and we provide Spanish alternatives for all courses.

EFFECTIVE

To illustrate just how effective our unique approach is, we partnered with The University of Georgia School of Social Work to track post-class retention, recidivism, and employment for one year after exposure to one of our classes. One volunteer-based survey found that 95.9% of former Civics Academy participants now have a better understanding of the choices they make and how they can be responsible. Additionally, their findings indicated that 97.9% of participants did not re-offend during the first year following successfully completing one of our programs. 

Stronger Citizens       Stronger Communities

Our User Community

Judicial

Corporate

Education

Individual

Theft Awareness Program TAP

The TAP program provides a positive reconstructive experience while irrational thoughts are identified that contribute to criminal involvement. By initiating a positive self­ change process, healthier strategies for coping are developed.
Appropriate for:
Bad checks
Shoplifting

Drug & Alcohol Awareness Program DAP

The DAP program provides a general overview of Marijuana, alcohol & other drugs including the effects and consequences of their use specifically how they affect the human body and how legal charges impact their future.
Appropriate for:
Adults Ages 18 and up

Possession

DUI

General Drug Use
Underage Drinking