NORMAL - Seven-year-old Fernando Piedra was having lots of problems at school this year. "He was acting out … getting suspended every week," said his mother, Nora Piedra.

She tried to get to the root of the problem and get some help but, she said, "the doors closed almost everywhere I went."

Then, Fernando's principal told Piedra about the new Youth Intervention Program at Normal Police Department. The program is designed to link children on the brink of trouble with services before the problems become more severe, possibly leading to criminal or gang activity.

A three-year, $162,867 grant from State Farm Insurance Cos. covers the cost of the program and pays the salary of Nikki Wilder, a licensed clinical social worker, who was hired as the youth intervention specialist. Wilder has a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Illinois-Champaign.

"She opened the doors," Piedra said of Wilder. "Nikki is an awesome, awesome person. The program is awesome. I'd recommend it."

Wilder met with Fernando and his mother and linked them up with counseling. She also worked with Fernando and regularly checks in with the family to be sure things continue to go smoothly.

At the first meeting, Piedra said, Wilder gave Fernando a picture of a teapot to color. She explained that when he gets angry, it's like a teapot boiling over.

"He learned a lot about controlling his anger," Piedra said. "He's gotten better. The last two weeks he's been doing good in school."

Fernando is one of nine children currently involved in the Youth Intervention Program, Wilder said, and about the same number of girls and boys. A total of 69 kids have been referred to Wilder through police reports, school officials or other professionals. Twenty-one were referred to other agencies, 17 did not return a call and 13 said they would call back if they wanted services.

Both parents and the kids have to agree to a service plan to participate in the Youth Intervention Program.

"We're very pleased with the numbers so far," said Police Chief Kent Crutcher. "We hope to make parents aware that we provide this service so if they have a child who acts out the first time, they know we offer this service."

The program was designed to focus on 8- to 13-year-olds, but officials expected to make exceptions. And they have. Crutcher said so far a majority of the referrals have been between age 13 and 16. Participants have to live in Normal or attend Unit 5 schools.

"Schools are excited that there are more options," Wilder said.

Glenn Elementary School Principal Carmen Bergmann said the program works well with Glenn's existing program that rewards students for positive behavior. Students not meeting the school's expectations get office referrals.

But Bergmann said the school has struggled with an action plan for students who are consistently receiving office referrals.

"For some kids, taking recess away is not working," she said.

Now the school can include Wilder in an action plan.

"The connections she has are phenomenal," Bergmann said. "She can help the more troubled students get in the right direction."

Wilder said there are lots of services available in the Twin Cities but the key is linking parents and students to them. She also can create a behavior plan for a student if it's going to be awhile before counseling or other services start.

"We want to get the word out," Wilder said. "It's a free service. Just because they call, it doesn't mean they have to be in the program. I still can offer help."

The program is not for youths on probation or accused of serious offenses.

For more information on the Youth Intervention Program or to ask about entering a youth into the program, contact Wilder at (309) 454-9600 or at nwilder@normal.org.