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Lytha Page Belrose, executive director of FJJF, is struck by how relatively small needs can derail the hard work and good intentions of kids who are trying to turn their lives around, but have next-to-no resources of their own. "We want to help kids have their needs met that can’t be met with state or local dollars," she says. "We are trying to help them make the transition from one place in their life to another. This grant program could buy a pair of steel-toe work boots, if those are required for a kid to be able to get a particular job. We can send a check to the store that sells the boots. Or, we might purchase a bus pass to help a young person get to a job. If someone doesn't have the money to pay the deposit on an apartment, we can help them with that." A grant could even help with the removal of a gang-related tattoo.
The process for selection is simple, and available across Florida: In all 20 judicial circuits across the state, there are new "youth success committees" that are beginning to work with juvenile justice officials. Each youth transitioning out of the system has a probation officer or counselor who helps them develop a required "transition plan," which sets goals for their next steps. Each youth also has another responsible adult—a relative, librarian, teacher or someone else the young person is close to—who acts as a mentor or advisor. At the local level, these individuals can contact the committee on the youth's behalf, if needs surface during the transition phase. If possible, the need will be taken care of at that local level. If this cannot be done, then an application will be completed and submitted for the Youth Investment Awards grant program.
The money will not be given directly to the young person, but will be sent or provided directly to the vendor, service provider or educational institution. All youth who receive grants will be required to make monthly reports to FJJF. A free email account will be provided to each individual. Young people will be able to report from their own computers or from computers at a public library or other location.
Eckerd is funding the program for $100,000 for the first year. The Department of Education within the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice will facilitate contacts with the youth, review applications and do any required follow-up; and FJJF will be the fiscal agent and provide on-going management of the grants program.
There is no formal limit on the dollar amount of individual grants, but most are expected to be quite modest. FJJF estimates that the program will serve a minimum of 50 youth, from 16 to 25 years old, each year. It is expected that the first grants will be made in August.
The goal of the grants program—to help kids transition out of the juvenile justice system and develop into responsible, successful adults—is closely aligned with the recommendations of the Blueprint Commission, which emphasize working for results beyond recidivism. Terri Eggers sees the program as "a catalyst for a circle of care, transcending the community and reaching out to kids who are coming home from detention. It will provide a bridge between those worlds and give them some encouragement. Knowing someone is investing in them will help kids to have a positive outlook."
There is much enthusiasm about this new program among those who work closely with kids who have been in trouble. "The chief probation officers in the 20 circuits are excited about this program," says Lytha Belrose of FJJF. "It's a win-win for them and for the kids they are trying to help."
And what about the benefits to society and to the community? "We're going to have some young people who are going to be successful and productive, tax-paying citizens," says Belrose. "Also, they can speak to other kids who are leaning toward getting in trouble. They can say, 'You don’t have to do this. There are other ways to get help.'"