The Van Zandt County Juvenile Probation Department in collaborative effort with the Texas Youth Commission has implemented the Status Truancy Offender Program -- "S.T.O.P." -- for youth between the ages of 11 – 17. This program is designed to provide a wide spectrum of services and targets youth that are first-time offenders, as well as the more serious chronic delinquent offender.

The purpose of "S.T.O.P." will be to educate the youth and expose them to the consequences of criminal behavior in an attempt to deter them from future criminal activities.

Realizing that experience is the best teacher, the detained residents attempt to educate the youth and dispel any misconceptions about the easy life of crime.

The youth will spend a day with detained residents, participating in their daily routine, which includes one-on-one discussion as well as group discussions.

Youth will also observe a Felony Trial at the 294th District Court.