About 100,000 children a year in Florida are referred into the juvenile justice system. Seventy percent are boys. (2005 Outcome Evaluation Report, February 15, 2005, Justice Research Center, Tallahassee, Florida)
Florida is the third largest population of children in confinement among the fifty states. It is among 19 states with an increase in juvenile commitment rates between 1997 and 2003, a period of declining juvenile crime. When released youth are placed on probation or on conditional release. These programs are supervisory rather than rehabilitative and do not receive funding to effectively connect youth to their families and communities through family engagement and support activities, educational services, or employability opportunities. (2004-5 Profile of Delinquency, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice)
57% of youth leaving residential programs are re-arrested, about 40% are re-adjudicated within 12 months and about 29% get re-committed. (Program Accountability Measures (PAM) 2005, School Related referrals, office of Research and Planning, Department of Juvenile Justice, Tallahassee, April 2006)
In a survey conducted by the Department of Juvenile Justice, 63% of the youth reviewed had a diagnosed mental health disorder and/or high risk behaviors including substance abuse. (National Mental Health Association, 2005)
In the past year, out of 138 youth participating in the Polk County Juvenile Boot Camp, there have been 16 who wanted or required an alternative living opportunity. (12%)
There are currently no alternative homes available for youth completing commitment programs who have the need for alternative home placement that is designed to enhance learned pro-social skills, promote ongoing treatment, and community involvement.
There are currently no known treatment programs, support programs, or outreach groups designed to specifically address the distinctive needs of youth who have completed Juvenile Justice programs in the Polk, Highland or Hardee county areas.
There are currently 0 teen specific, relapse prevention support groups regularly held in Polk County.
A study involving Teen Challenge reported an 84% success rate for youth who participated in continuous faith-based support groups, Mental Health treatment programs, and Substance Abuse treatment programs tested 7 years after program completion. The key ingredient is continuity of service while in the program and through the after care program(s). This statistic overpowers those of detoxification facilities with a 1% cure rate and the therapeutic community cure rate of 10%. (US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Dr. Catherine Hess)
Aftercare model, Straight Ahead Ministries, reports a 92% success rate for post-committed and delinquent youth by providing a holistic, faith-based alternative housing and counseling approach.
Programs that promote protective factors and help reduce the risk factors that lead to juvenile crime are some of the best investments a community can make to lower its rate of delinquency. (U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, August 1999)
