Breaking the Cycle

Mission Statement:Prevention versus Detention through Intervention.

 Purpose:

We will identify and implement strategies to avert delinquent behavior by at-risk youth on the Treasure Coast using a multifaceted approach of in-house programs and collaboration with existing resources.

“We cannot afford the financial or the societal costs of unnecessary juvenile incarceration. By shifting our focus - and our investments - to the front end of the system, we will save not only money, but also lives.”- Florida Governor Rick Scott 2012

“We could send a juvenile justice youth to Harvard for what we pay for incarceration, and we don’t get very good outcomes.” - Gladys Carrion, Director, New York State Office of Children and Family Services

“It’s outrageous how much this country spends to lock up a single child for a nonviolent offense…. When we lock up a child, not only are we wasting millions of taxpayer dollars, we’re setting him or her up for failure in the long run. The system as it exists now is unfair to everyone involved and needs to be changed.”- Connecticut Senator Christopher Murphy 2014

• Services provided to youth ages 8-18 with supplemental services up to age 21.

• Distinct services will be provided based on age: 8-11 12-13 14-15 16-18 18-21

• Participants will be identified through referrals from local schools, government agencies and parent requests.

• Initial services will be provided for a combined number of 20 participants.

Identify and address deficiencies in:- Reading and Learning Disabilities- Health Habits- Social Skills- Age-appropriate Life Skills

Incorporate:- Singing/Music/Art/Physical Education- Working with animals- Anti-gang programs

Refer:- Child and Family to counseling services- Healthcare - Access to suitable nutrition- Mental Health services

-Procure office location and administrative staff.

-Educate the Community and seek donations.

-Recruit volunteer mentors from the community.

-Analyze the participant’s environment with an initial home visit.

-Join with social services and government partners.

-Track and analyze data in order to measure outcomes.

Program Administrator $35,000

Rental of office space 1,800

Telephone and Internet 1,500

Office Supplies 600

Independent Bookkeeper 1,200

Advertising/Fundraising 10,000

Total $60,100

Florida 2016/17 Budget earmarks “$541 million to reduce juvenile delinquency through effective prevention, intervention and treatment services that aim to strengthen families and restore the physical and mental health of troubled youth.” (Florida Policy Institute 2017)Grants from:United Way of the Treasure Coast Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Tallahassee, FLThe Annie E. Casey Foundation Baltimore, MDCenter for Children’s Law and Policy Washington, DCThe Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Agoura Hills, CAHobe Sound Community Chest, Hobe Sound, FL The Jim Moran Foundation, Deerfield Beach, FL

Participants will see improved Social and Life Skills.

Participants will be supported in healthy development.

Families will be educated and provided with strategies.

Participants will see improved performance at school.

Participants will avoid committing crimes and infractions.

Participants will avoid detention and entry into the Criminal Justice system.

Research shows it is far less costly to keep our youth out of the juvenile justice system both financially and in terms of human suffering. Intervention strategies make all the difference between a functioning member of society or a burden. (Holman and Ziedenberg 2006)

Ripple effects such as lost future earnings, lost tax revenue and a higher chance of recidivism costs billions of dollars nationally. (Sneed 2014)

“Prevention programs positively impact the general public because they stop this crime from happening in the first place. And there are even some prevention programs that are more successful than others. One aspect of exceptionally successful prevention programs is their comprehensive nature. Programs that are more holistic prevent future crime better because they deal with various aspects of a child’s life, not just a single one.” (Saminsky 2010)

Holman B. and Ziedenberg J. (2006) The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Yout in Detention and Other Secure Facilities. The Justice Policy Institute. Retrieved from: www.justicepolicy.org/images/upload/06-11_rep_dangersofdetention_jj.pdfSneed, T.What Youth Incarceration Costs Taxpayers (2014) Retrieved from: https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/12/09/what-youth-incarceration-costs-taxpayersJustice Policy Institute (2009) The Costs of Confinement: Why Good Juvenile Justice Policies Make Good Fiscal Sense. Retrieved from: http://www.justicepolicy.org/images/upload/09_05_rep_costsofconfinement_jj_ps.pdfFlorida Policy Institute (2017) Florida’s 2016-2017 Budget Increases Some Funding But Will Not Improve Quality of Life. Retrieved from: http://www.fpi.institute/floridas-2016-2017-budget-increases-some-funding-but-will-not-maintain-infrastructure-or-services-needed-to-maintain-quality-of-life/Saminsky, A. (2010) Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: Early Intervention and Comprehensiveness as Critical Factors. Retrieved from: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/165/preventing-juvenile-delinquency-early-intervention-and-comprehensiveness-as-critical-factors