Justice Services
Links to Success & Juvenile Gun Violence Prevention
For many years, Connections, Inc. served as a lead partner in Project Life, a court-ordered juvenile gun violence intervention supporting youth in Indianapolis. The program and its outcomes were formally evaluated by Dr. Natalie Kroovand Hipple of Indiana University, with support from The Joyce Foundation in Chicago Illinois. Her published research examined outcomes for hundreds of court-involved youth and found that participants who successfully completed Project Life were significantly less likely to reoffend—reducing the likelihood of committing a new gun-related violent offense by approximately 74%, along with notable reductions of 39.8% in overall recidivism. Despite being a brief, three-day intervention, Project Life demonstrated meaningful impact when paired exclusively with Connections’ home-based behavioral casework services. The findings highlighted the effectiveness of combining targeted education, structured accountability, family support, youth mental health and other community-based interventions to influence behavior and improve outcomes for youth. As such, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has identified Project Life as a Promising Practice, providing leadership across the State of Indiana and nationwide for others invested in youth violence reduction efforts.
Building on this foundation, our work has since evolved into Connections’ Gun Violence Prevention Program, a three-day intensive workshop, and the Links to Success Behavioral Intervention Model, where these evidence-informed approaches continue to guide services that promote youth wellness and accountability, reduce recidivism, and support safer, healthier communities. To learn more about our research results and Links to Success, please see below. Funding is generously available for youth participation from the Indiana Department of Child Services via a HB Casework and/ or Specialized Service Kidtraks referral.
Learn more about the Links to Success Intervention Model
Review our Project Life Evaluation Results
Gun Violence Prevention Course Dates 2026 for Marion County Indiana
The Wrap
Connections Inc., in partnership with the City of Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety – Division of Re-entry (OPHS), created “The Wrap” program, a care coordination and community navigation service aimed at supporting vulnerable youth and young adults ages 16 to 21 in Marion County, Indiana. Launched as a proactive initiative to support young people navigating serious life challenges, The Wrap is designed to serve youth who have had prior involvement with Indiana’s juvenile or adult justice systems at some point in their young lives—yet they are not currently receiving any services from the Indiana Department of Child Services or any probation departments. Offered at no cost to participants, The Wrap offers personalized care coordination to help youth meet their most urgent needs—whether it’s finding housing, accessing food, securing medical or mental health care, preparing for employment, supportive parenting, or returning to school. Youth and young adults feel supported and equipped with real solutions and the tools to achieve their goals. Program participants will be voluntarily connected with a caring adult who will work with them one-on-one to assess their needs and help navigate critical services. Funding is generously available for youth and young adults to participate from the City of Indianapolis OPHS. To learn more about The Wrap or submit a referral, please see below:
Learn more about The Wrap program
Transition from Restrictive Placements (TRP)
Our TRP services support youth as they transition back into their homes and communities following placement in residential treatment or more often, involvement with the Indiana Department of Corrections. Our therapists and behavior consultants work collaboratively with youth, families, and natural support systems to develop and implement a comprehensive transition plan before and after release. Our goal is to improve overall functioning, strengthen family connections, and foster positive engagement in school and community life. We complete a comprehensive Family Needs Assessment to assure a safe, healthful household for all members upon their return; as well as we complete other assessments to evaluate the youth’s mental health status, educational and occupational interests, and any risk or protective factors which may impact their success.
Truancy Termination
Our Truancy Termination services address the underlying behavioral and emotional factors contributing to chronic absenteeism, suspension, or expulsion. Designed for youth ages 12–18, this service provides targeted, intensive support to identify barriers to school attendance and re-engage youth in their education. We partner with families and schools to create sustainable strategies that promote consistent attendance and academic success. Often, youth receiving Truancy Termination will additionally benefit from tutoring and/ or literacy services to remediate their educational needs.
Tutoring and Literacy Services
Our Tutoring and Literacy Services provide individualized and group-based academic support designed to improve student performance and confidence. We support school-aged youth in earning high school credits and achieving or exceeding grade-level standards established by the Indiana Department of Education. In addition, we offer literacy and ESL instruction for youth ages 12–18, focusing on building foundational reading and comprehension skills. Services are offered in virtual, office, and school-based settings to meet students where they can learn most efficiently and effectively. Youth who are credit deficient and/or not reading English at expected grade level are invited to our join our Summer Intensive Educational Recovery programs.
Youth Mentoring
Our Youth Mentoring services provide intensive, individualized support for system-involved young people by fostering intentional, trust-based relationships that serve as a foundation for growth and stability. These relationships are built using a trauma-informed, strengths and evidence based approach. Services focus on developing practical, everyday life skills that promote long-term success, including emotional regulation, anger management, effective communication, problem-solving, accountability, and healthy decision-making. Through consistent guidance and positive reinforcement, mentors help youth build confidence, strengthen their resilience, develop self-motivation, and apply these skills in real-life situations, empowering them to make constructive choices and navigate challenges most effectively.