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<br /> Be PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one page)
<br /> L a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need ?
<br /> c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference
<br /> source, that corroborates that this is an area of need.
<br /> a. The unacceptable condition is juvenile delinquency that leads to further lives of crime,
<br /> truancy, dropping out of school, pregnancy, sexual abuse, low self esteem, etc . because the
<br /> approach has been only to lockup the offenders without changing the behaviors .
<br /> b. The children in need are the at-risk females between the ages of 7 and 16 who are discouraged
<br /> learners, have low self-esteem, stressful family conditions, and have exhibited problem
<br /> behaviors, such as school disciplinary referrals, chronic school truancy, repeated school
<br /> suspensions, poor academic performance, a history of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs ,
<br /> rebellion, running away, mental and emotional health issues and those with a history of
<br /> delinquent behavior.
<br /> C. In Indian River County, 90% of the at-risk females involved in the program are from the
<br /> surrounding community.
<br /> d. DJJ's fact sheet on female juvenile offenders quoted Bill Bankhead, "We have a growing
<br /> problem with serious delinquency among girls . . . Girls need specialized attention and direction on
<br /> dealing with issues like peer pressure, self image and goal setting. " There has been a 44 %
<br /> increase in the number of girls arrested annually for committing crimes during the past 10 years .
<br /> (Percentage of boys only rose 12. 5%) The number of girls arrested for violent felony offenses
<br /> doubled over the past ten years — and it is expected to continue to climb . In the DJJ report, The
<br /> Girls Initiative, it stated that girls have unique needs and problems, such as sexual and/or
<br /> physical abuse, teen pregnancy, poor academic performance and mental health needs . The fact
<br /> sheet on female offenders states, "The need for appropriate new programs for girls continues .
<br /> What happens to girls in the system is critical not only because of their large numbers ; girls '
<br /> circumstances are different than boys. The relevant issues to girls include avoiding teen
<br /> pregnancy, getting a good education, learning about health and hygiene, dealing with all kinds of
<br /> abuse, acquiring parenting skills, developing self esteem and being mentored by a female adult. "
<br /> (www. dij . state . fl . us/statsnresearch/factsheets/femaleoffenders html)
<br /> 2a. Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted
<br /> population; b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted
<br /> population of your program.
<br /> There are two programs that serve the targeted population, however neither of the programs are
<br /> structured to address the additional areas provided through the Girl ' s Training Institute.
<br /> 1 a. Gifford Youth Activity Center provides a day program for all youth, not just females . 1 b . The
<br /> program does not provide many of the services rendered by our program, i . e . mentoring,
<br /> community services, Life Skills, Drug 'Awareness and Character Education, overnight stay on-
<br /> site, meals, recreational, and academic support tracking the girls for six months after successful
<br /> completion of the program through DJJ, schools and parents .
<br /> 2a. Hope Academy provides an alternative day program for suspended students from public
<br /> schools, while the Girl ' s Institute seeks to serve the social , emotional and academic needs of the
<br /> child, ensuring that all areas are addressed.
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