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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1619 |
| PRODIGY Program |
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| Requester: |
William Bowman |
Organization: |
Bay Area Youth Services |
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| Project Title: |
PRODIGY Program |
Date Submitted |
1/14/2003 5:12:53 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Crist |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The PRODIGY Program is serving as a model program for statewide implantation. |
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| Recipient: |
Bay Area Youth Services |
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Contact: |
William Bowman |
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5118 N. 56th St., Ste. 206 |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 628-8989 |
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Tampa 33610 |
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| Counties: |
Hillsborough |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The PRODIGY Program is a multi-agency collaboration that uses the visual and performing arts to develop better learning skills and to improve juvenile behavior. The PRODIGY Program serves to demonstrate the effectiveness of cultural arts programming among youth ages 7-17 who are at-risk of entering or re-entering the juvenile justice system. The program combines prevention, diversion and intervention components that will greatly enhance and expand the capabilities of a diverse and very experienced coalition in order to reduce high levels of juvenile-based crime. A common theme of all program-based activities is to develop and promote teamwork and self-esteem among the children participating while fostering a sense of community. The exposure to the creative and performing arts provides program participants with the opportunity for a form of expression that is positive and does not promote destructive or violent behavior. |
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| Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The goal of the program is to provide a positive benefit for our target population's at-risk youth through coupling holistic case management services with participation in the arts as a means for personal expression.
PRODIGY began in Fall 2000 and has produced extraordinary results, including:
-- 83% of youth in the program maintained a "C" or above average scholastic score;
-- Students participating in the program reached an 85% school attendance rate;
-- Disciplinary referrals decreased by over 76% after youth participation in PRODIGY;
-- 99% of students in the program did not commit violent crimes during their participation in the program;
-- 96% of PRODIGY youth avoid violent arrests, return home and go back to a productive life in school, at home and in their community;
The PRODIGY Program's impact on the individual and community will be measured through: Qualitative Observations: A) the development of personal responsibility, values and moral character in youth and their families; B) development of personal and potential vocational skills through participation in the program; C) a greater understanding and respect for individual, family and community heritage.
Quantifiable Measures: A) 80% of youth shall remain crime free six months after the release from the diversion component of the PRODIGY Program; B) 80% of youth enrolled in the program shall not be arrested during non-school hours while participating in the diversion component of the PRODIGY Program; C) 80% of youth enrolled in the program shall not be arrested for crimes involving violence while participating in the diversion component of the PRODIGY Program; D) 75% of all PRODIGY Program diversion component participants shall successfully complete the program; E) 65% of the youth successfully completing the diversion component requirements shall exhibit a decrease in truancy and school behavior problems.
The PRODIGY Program is collaborating with McGill University on Montreal, Canada, for assisting, implementing and completing the program evaluation for PRODIGY. McGill University has established a similar program in Canada and is looking for international sites. The University Area Community Center Complex and the PRODIGY Program will be the first INTERNATIONAL site for the National Arts & Youth Demonstration Project in Canada. The PRODIGY Program is very proud of this designation because other sites considered for partnership were located in Paris and Vienna. McGill University will measure the extent to which the effectiveness of arts programs can demonstrate positive change for children and youth, the extent to which community-based organizations can successfully engage young people in artistic endeavors, and will conduct an exploratory descriptive multi-method study in program implementation and evaluation.
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$600,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$900,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$300,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2002-2003 |
Amount: |
$600,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
The growing juvenile crime statistics in Hillsborough County. |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
01/31/2003 |
