“Intercept is run by Youth Villages, a national child services nonprofit that has a Portland office. The decade-old program has helped almost 300 children and their families in Salem. About 25 Salem families are currently participating, and the program has a waitlist of about 30.
‘We really believe that kids do well when they can. And in order for them to do well, they need to develop skills, learn how to access resources, learn how to solve problems, learn how to deal with frustration,’ said Andrew Grover, executive director of Youth Villages Oregon.
Grover said programs like Intercept can help at a time when Salem is grappling with multiple challenges facing young people, including a rise in violence and an increase in mental health problems. The organization is working to create a new team so they can serve about 20 more Salem families.”