CHIP honored for preventing youth gun violence through education, accountability, early intervention, and family engagement
The Georgia Council of Court Administrators (GCCA) honored the Conasauga Handgun Intervention Program (CHIP) as its 2026 Program of the Year, recognizing the program’s innovative efforts to reduce youth access to firearms and prevent gun-related violence. Joshua Weeks, Juvenile Court Administrator, accepted the award on behalf of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit. The statewide honor recognizes CHIP’s commitment to reaching young people before a poor decision involving a firearm results in a lifelong consequence.
A Proactive Response
Administered by the Conasauga Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court, CHIP serves at-risk youth ages 14 to 18 and their families in Whitfield and Murray counties. The program grew from concern about local threats and weapons-related offenses involving young people, heightened by the tragic September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School. The circuit pursued a Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program grant through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to create a practical, preventive response.
Modeled after established handgun-intervention programs in Colorado and Clayton County, Georgia, CHIP is a structured six-week course that requires each participating youth to attend with a parent or guardian. That family-centered requirement reinforces a central principle of the program: preventing youth gun violence requires education, accountability, support, and meaningful engagement at home.
Learning From Those Closest to the Issue
Participants hear directly from law enforcement officers, court professionals, medical providers, counselors, and community leaders. Sessions address legal rights and responsibilities, victim impact, healthy coping skills and self-care, law enforcement perspectives, the medical consequences of firearm injuries, social media influences, gang involvement, and positive decision-making. During the final session, youth reflect on what they have learned and explain how they intend to make safer choices in the future.
Brenda Gonzalez: Turning a Vision Into a Working Program
A significant part of CHIP’s success is the work of Intervention Coordinator Brenda Gonzalez. A bilingual social worker with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, Gonzalez joined the initiative in April 2025 and helped transform the program from a promising concept into a dependable resource for youth and families across the circuit.
Gonzalez coordinates referrals, communicates with participating families, schedules each session, recruits presenters and mentors, monitors attendance, develops community partnerships, and supports youth and parents throughout the six-week process. Her ability to connect personally with families helps create an environment in which participants feel respected and supported while youth remain accountable for their decisions. She also works closely with court personnel, schools, law enforcement agencies, service providers, the program’s advisory board, and community organizations to ensure each session is practical, engaging, and relevant. Her compassion, organization, persistence, and consistent follow-through have been instrumental in CHIP’s growth and strong completion rate.
Strong Participation and Community Support
CHIP has conducted cohorts in both Whitfield and Murray counties, with sessions held at the Mack Gaston Community Center and the Murray County Enrollment Center. Among the program’s first 20 youth participants, 19 successfully completed the course – a strong indication of engagement by the young people and the parents or guardians who attended alongside them.
The program’s success also reflects the commitment of the many judges, court employees, law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, mentors, community partners, and volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise. Their collaboration gives families a realistic understanding of the consequences of gun violence while offering practical skills, encouragement, and hope for a safer path forward.
Being selected as GCCA’s 2026 Program of the Year is a tremendous honor for the Conasauga Judicial Circuit and an affirmation of CHIP’s mission. More importantly, it recognizes the work being done to protect young people, strengthen families, and make Whitfield and Murray counties safer.
The award recognizes the efforts of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, Intervention Coordinator Brenda Gonzalez, and the many partners whose continued support has contributed to CHIP’s success.
Submitted by the Georgia Council of Court Administrators. For more information on the GCCA visit: https://gccaonline.org/