THE BEHAVIORAL CIVICS METHOD
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 offenders change their behaviors. Too many participants in standard or outdated programs do not retain and implement the skills needed to avoid past mistakes that landed them in trouble with the legal system in the first place.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 local judicial systems, Civics Academy developed an approach that gives 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 in-person classes. One volunteer-based self report 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 feedback indicated that 97.9% of participants did not re-offend during the first year following successfully completing one of our programs. Civics Academy will initiate another more in-depth academic study of the new learning scientist informed online programs starting in 2023 to show the impact of our behavioral civics programming.
Stronger Citizens Stronger Communities
Our User Community
OUR COURSES
Judicial
Corporate
Education
Individual
Responsibility Awareness Program RAP
The RAP program helps develop critical thinking skills, reduces impulsive activity while increasing responsible thinking and pro-social behavior. Covers anger management requirements.
Appropriate for:
Adults and Juveniles
Anger Management
Values Clarification
Driving without a license
Disorderly Conduct
Trespassing
Disturbing the peace
Most minor charges
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
Testimonials
Thank you for offering this class to me. I realize that after this class that we will make mistakes and we can acknowledge this and move on.
A. Smith
A fantastic program filled with facts and actual help with decision-making for the future. This class was better than what I was expecting. Very uplifting and informative.
S. Adelson
I learned a lot about my civic responsibility as well as how to cool off. I am thankful I was required to take this class!
J. Brown
When I was required to take my course, I thought it would be a waste of time but it helped me see how to change the way I have been thinking and acting.