Mayor’s Faith-Based Community Symposium

Miami Dade College Wolfson CampusJune 5, 2013

Youth Intervention Services

• Morris Copeland Juvenile Services Department, Director

• Latawun Bess Juvenile Services Department, Manager

• Rev. George Ellis, Jr. Miami’s River of Life, Founder/President & CEO

• Trenese Prater Miami Dade Fire Rescue Firesetter Prevention & Intervention Program, Public Education Coordinator

Overall Accomplishments

67%

1.8%3.

5%

11.2

%3.9%

2.9%

8.1%

3.4%

5.5%

10.2

%8.

2%10

.2%

13.3

%

15%

Systematic Savings per Year

$33 million dollar gross

$20.2 million dollar net saving

Reduced juvenile detention

population

From 300 to approx. 70 per day

Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) Centralized Intake Screening & Assessment

•One point of accountability for all juvenile booking

•Effective Positive Identification Process (PID)

•Screening for Risk & Service Needs

•Mental Health and Substance Abuse Assessment & Diversion referrals

The JAC revolutionized the management of the juvenile justice population in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County Intervention ServicesLatawun Bess, Manager

One point of accountability forall juvenile bookings

• The JAC allows the officers to transfer custody immediately and return to patrolling the community quickly.

• The Police Records Technician creates the court case immediately and within 24 hours the judiciary receives a complete detention packet.

Positive Identification Process (PID)

• Uniform manner to process arrested juveniles.

• The JAC provides the environment to conduct the PID process on all arrested youth.

• All of the juvenile justice agencies now have a complete picture of the youth’s identity.

Screening for Risk & Service Needs

• Accurately screen youth using the Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI) and Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT).

• Risk to the community can be determined at intake.

• Courts now can make an informed decision to detain, release or respite.

Assessment & Diversion Referrals

• The JAC allows the assessment process to take place immediately.

• Age and gender specific assessments are utilized.

• 24/7 clinical support and crisis intervention provided.

• Appropriate recommendation to State Attorney’s Office (SAO) for diversion services.

Clinical Oversight

• Clinical expertise is provided throughout intake, assessment and case-management services by Licensed and Masters Level Mental Health Professionals.

• Mental Health Professionals provide case-consultation, file reviews, and on-going training in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Case-management protocol.

GAIN- QSections

The GAIN-Q CORE instrument is organized into ten sections: However JSD only uses the following

• Background• General Factors• Source of Stress• Physical Health• Emotional Health• Behavioral Health • Substance Related Issues• Services Utilized

YLS/CMISections

• History of Conduct Disorder• School and Employment Problems• Criminal Friends• Alcohol/Drug Problems• Leisure/Recreation• Personality/Behavior• Family Circumstances/Parenting• Attitude/Orientation

The short version of the checklist instrument is divided into eight sections:

Diversion Services

• Serves youth who have committed a crime prior to their 18th birthday.

• Provides individualized treatment plans, case management services, community service work, coordination of restitution payments, social skills enhancement, and victim/offender mediation.

• Referrals to: family and individual counseling, therapeutic groups, substance abuse treatment.

The Juvenile Services Department makes referrals to a network of referral agencies, including:

• Faith-Based Organizations• Mental Health Agencies• Substance Abuse Agencies• Mentor Organizations• Community-Based Organizations

Resources•Mentoring

•Anti-gang Strategies (Walking

One-Stops, Early Reading Programs)

•Anti-Violence Campaign

•Educational Tutoring Services

•After School Activities

•Safe Havens

•Community Service Sites

JSD’s contribution• Provide substantial data to support the need for local resources

• Facilitate Partnerships

Juvenile Arrests Top 10 Zip

Codes*33030330563303333157331693315033034330323305433055

*Most fall within Miami Gardens, Liberty City and Homestead/Florida City

Resources•Mentoring

•Anti-gang Strategies (Walking

One-Stops, Early Reading Programs)

•Anti-Violence Campaign

•Educational Tutoring Services

•After School Activities

•Safe Havens

•Community Service Sites

JSD’s contribution• Provide substantial data to support the need for local resources

• Facilitate Partnerships

Juvenile Arrests Top 10 Zip

Codes*33030330563303333157331693315033034330323305433055

*Most fall within Miami Gardens, Liberty City and Homestead/Florida City

Internships and Volunteer Opportunities

Program Description

• The Miami-Dade Juvenile Services Department serves as a valuable training ground for Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, Public policy, Statistics, interns from local and out of town colleges and universities.

• The Department provides meaningful volunteering experiences for students, the elderly, and others interested in learning more about the juvenile justice system.

• JSD experienced staff includes Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and persons with a Masters degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, and Social Work.

MIAMI’S RIVER OF LIFE

Rev. George Ellis, Jr Founder/President & CEO

Miami’s River of Life Program Description

• Miami’s River of Life serves thousands of youth and families throughout South Florida between 12 to 18 years of age.

• Provides 24/7 awake staff supervision

• Referral Sources:• Department of Juvenile Justice• Department of Children and Families• Juvenile Courts

Miami’s River of Life

• Respite Program• Department of Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Courts referrals• Referred for placement due to crisis situation

• Transitional Living Program/ “In the Flow”• Onsite Case Management Services• Cultural and Gender Specific Exposure• Behavioral Counseling• Mentoring Program• Life Skills• Spiritual Awareness• Family Reunification

Miami Dade Fire RescueFiresetter Prevention & Intervention

Program

Trenese Prater, Public Education Coordinator

Firesetter Prevention and Intervention Program

• The program’s goal is to identify and engage at-risk and youth offenders by providing fire safety prevention, education, and intervention services.

• The program works in partnership with Community-based Agencies to ensure services to participants and their families.

Contact information:

Morris Copeland: morrisc@miamidade.govLatawun Bess: latawun.bess@miamidade.govJSD: 305-755-6202

Rev. George Ellis: Gellis3697@aol.comMROL: 305-756-6587

Trenese Prater: turner@miamidade.govMDFR: 786-331-4933

Questions