The College of Southern Nevada and the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada have entered into an agreement for an education program that paves a path to career success for young people facing the justice system. The program will open avenues for participants to discover meaningful, long-term careers to get their lives on-track and ultimately improve public safety. To mark this significant occasion and share details about the agreement, CSN and court officials will hold a ceremonial signing on January 6, from 11 a.m.-noon at CSN’s Charleston Campus 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., E Building, 3^rd floor.

The program will include up to 50 Transitional Age Drug Court (TAP) and Opportunity for Probation with Enforcement in Nevada (OPEN) specialty court participants between the ages of 20-25 who will receive education and career training from CSN on a variety of fields. For those who don’t have a high school degree, CSN will assist them in earning their GED, and they will then be given help in pursuing either a trade apprenticeship program or a college degree program.

“As a community college, it is CSN’s mission to educate and train the workforce for Southern Nevada, whether they come straight from high school, enroll during their adult lives, or, in this case, come to us as participants in a rehabilitation program. We’re thrilled that the District Court chose CSN to help members of our community recover,” said Dr. James McCoy, CSN’s executive vice president of academic affairs.

“College of Southern Nevada is offering our young TAP and OPEN specialty court participants a game-changing opportunity to get education and training that puts them on a solid career path,” said District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese. “We expect this program will improve their prospects for recovery and for a successful future. When our participants succeed, the benefits extend to their families and our entire community.”

TAP and OPEN are two of the Eighth Judicial District specialty courts that solve issues through a rigorous and coordinated approach between judges, specialty court coordinators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Parole and Probation, law enforcement and mental health/social service/treatment professionals. All work together to help participants recover, live crime-free and be-come productive citizens. District Court continuously works to develop innovative ideas, improve efficiencies, address issues and improve access to justice. For more information about the courts, please visit our website at clarkcountycourts.us.