Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #5FY0102

PACE Broward Pre-Teen Program

Requester:

Aggie Pappas

Organization:

PACE Center for Girls, Inc.

Project Title:

PACE Broward Pre-Teen Program

Date Submitted:

12/17/2001 6:05:58 PM

Sponsors:

Debby Sanderson

Statewide Interest:

Between 1993-98 the State of Florida experienced a 30% increase in the number of girl delinquency cases, as compared to a 5% increase for boys.� Specifically, since 1993, the rate at which girls were detained for misdemeanors rose by 60% while detention rates for serious offenders (felonies) fell by 24%.� A recent study conducted by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, revealed that the risk of being involved with criminal offending is nearly five times greater for girls who have a pattern of truancy or not attending school and three times greater for a child with an incarcerated family member.� The study also revealed that the single most important risk factor for becoming a repeat offender was a history of uneven grades during a girl's middle school years (between 6th and 8th grades) (Educate or Incarcerate: Findings from the NCCD Study of Girls in the State of Florida and Duval County Juvenile Justice Systems, Acoca, December 2000).� Note:� This project is designed as a pilot program that can be replicated statewide in the future.

Recipient:

PACE Center for Girls of Broward

Contact:

Aggie Pappas

3115 N.W. 10th Terrace, Suite 104

Contact Phone:

(954) 561-6939

Ft. Lauderdale 33309

Counties:

Broward

Gov't Entity:

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Yes

Project Description:

The PACE pre-Teen Center will serve girls between the ages of 8-12 that have identifiable risk factors causing their inability to perform academically and socially in their current schools.� We will receive referrals from the neighboring schools many of which have received a failing grade and who have high concentration of youth and families at-risk.� Risk factors associated with these girls include significant family problems as evidenced by child abuse or neglect findings, a criminal family member or a lack of parental supervision and control.� Other risk factors include significant problems at school as evidenced by truancy, failing more than one course, or a suspension or expulsion within the last 6 months.� A pattern of substance abuse, including drugs, alcohol or smoking cigarettes.� Pre-delinquent behavior as evidenced by gang membership, chronic running away, a pattern of stealing, or mental health problems associated with delinquent behavior.� The profile of the pre-teen girls will be similar to PACE's current population (13-18), but younger in age (8-12).� We are anticipating that by serving girls 8-12, delinquent and destructive behaviors will be avoided in their teenage and early adult lives thus curtailing delinquency involvement.� Initially, we are requesting operational funding to provide prevention services to 30 pre-teen girls (ages 8-12) daily for 115 day (January 2002-June 30,2002) at a cost of $45/day.

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

A minimum of 80% of all youth participating in the project will increase their academic functioning as evidenced in promotion to the next grade level or increased scores in standardized testing such as the FCAT.� A minimum of 90% of all youth who have not committed a crime prior to enrollment shall not be adjudicated or have adjudication withheld with one year following transition.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$324,000

Total cost of the project:

$500,000

Request has been made to fund:

Operations

What type of match exists for this project?

Local, Private

Cash Amount:

$176,000

Was this project previously funded by the State?

No

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Yes

Amount:

$324,000

Purpose for future year funding:

Recurring Operations

Will this be an annual request?

Yes

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

No

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

No

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Recent study conducted by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Broward County Juvenile Justice Board

Meeting Date:

9/30/1999