POCATELLO - "Kids make mistakes, and the ones who don't learn from them are here," says Todd Maugher, Intensive Supervision Program Coordinator. "School can make or break them. It's what's going to make the difference in their lives."

The intensive supervision program was designed by Bannock County Juvenile Justice as an alternative to incarcerating teens at the state facility in St. Anthony.

"It costs $68,000 a year to send a kid to St. Anthony," Maugher says.

Teens are ordered by the court to attend the program's classes four days a week. Some are under house detention, others are released from the juvenile detention center. Many are tested regularly for drug and alcohol use.

Individual plans are designed for each student who works on a GED and takes courses in life skills, job searching and social skills. Students also participate in community service.

Students also take part in other activities: skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, softball, hiking, etc.

"We want them to create interests in other activities, rather than doing drugs," Maugher says.

As many as 7 percent, or 550, young people are on juvenile probation in the Pocatello area. Most of them live at home and take part in the regular school system.

Some take advantage of District 25's alternative school program, while others, at a rate of about 15 to 20 at a time, are under Maugher's supervision.

"A lot of them haven't been held accountable in their lives; they haven't had the consistency of someone encouraging them," Maugher says. "What's cool about this is once they obtain (a diploma) that's something they've done that nobody can take away.

"If they're 18 and dropped out; it makes it harder to go on; they become dependent on the community, welfare."

Maugher worked at the Juvenile Detention Center while studying at Idaho State University.

"I enjoyed working with the kids, so I decided to go into social work to help make a difference, help kids who haven't a chance, give them a chance."

Occasionally, Maugher will run into a graduate of the program who has done well.

"They'll thank me for helping them out; it's that that keeps you going," Maugher says.

- Penelope Reedy