The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice today announced it was awarded $775,775 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program. OJJDP is an office of the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program supports government and nonprofit agencies in reducing recidivism and improving life after incarceration in prisons, jails and juvenile facilities. The grant funding will be used to enhance the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s existing evidence-based transition services for youth returning to their communities after out-of-home placement.
“Transition services are instrumental to ensuring youth achieve success after placement in a residential commitment program. It is critical that our agency provides effective resources and support to help them stay on the right path” said DJJ Secretary Simone Marstiller.
The new evidence-based programming will include cognitive-based and trauma-focused therapies with individualized care based on assessments from the youth’s clinicians, juvenile probation officer, transition services provider and family. These services will serve to supplement and ensure the completion of existing transition services such as career and academic assistance, family support, and mental health and substance abuse treatment to further lower the chance of recidivism.
